Rangers, FIA seize land record during raid at Civic Centre‏

E-Paper | October 02, 2026

Rangers, FIA seize land record during raid at Civic Centre‏

Imtiaz Ali Published July 25, 2015

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KARACHI: A joint team of Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday night conducted a raid on Civic Centre to seize record of official lands, estimated to be hundreds of acres, allegedly allotted to private persons through fraudulent means, it was learnt by Dawn.

While spokesperson of the paramilitary force neither confirmed nor denied the raid, a source in the FIA told Dawn that it was related to the land issue.

Elaborating, the FIA source revealed that around 700-800 acres of land belonging to Federal Government institutions has been given to private persons through questionable means. This land was located in Surjani Town and Northern Bypass.

An inquiry into this land scam has been initiated. The land record to this effect has been seized during the raid.

The FIA source said initially, the inquiry has focused on alleged usurpation of the lands belonging to federal government but there was also a move to initiate the same probe about the lands belonging to Sindh government.

The source estimated that thousands of acres of the land belonging to the provincial government has been allotted to the private persons through alleged fraudulent methods.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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adil

Jul 25, 2015 01:00am

keep it up rangers

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Ustaad

Jul 25, 2015 01:03am

Excellent coordination between military and Civil Authorities.

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just_someone

Jul 25, 2015 01:08am

KDA is the most corrupt place in all of Pakistan. MQM and PPP are running their organization purely from the real estate... Correct KDA and everything will start getting better!

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imtiaz faruqui

Jul 25, 2015 01:12am

The king of land selling was Jam Sadiq, and this started from PPP days of ZA Bhutto. In the end Rangers will find most croupts dead and gone .

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nac Paris

Jul 25, 2015 01:15am

Rangers should also investigate the land acquisition by Bharia on super highway and in Clifton. I wouldn't be surprised if in both project PPP stalwarts including Zardari are found to be involved. Now Ranger should also look into affairs of PPP

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Shujaat Khan

Jul 25, 2015 01:18am

Now you know why they want Rangers out.

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Shujaat Khan

Jul 25, 2015 01:22am

On the second thought Dawn could you please name the very private persons?

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Saim

Jul 25, 2015 01:23am

Wait for Altaf to resign again

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jul 25, 2015 01:25am

What about the land illegally taken over by DHA on Sindh and other provinces

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Abdulla Hussain

Jul 25, 2015 01:34am

Rangers for God sake keep with your efforts to bring all to real & honest justice I mean all culprits be they in Sindh government or otherwise should be brought to book for any of their illegal deeds & money earning. No single soul should be spared. Only true & honest justice across the board can bring real peace in Karachi.

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kmat

Jul 25, 2015 01:36am

Love you Rangers, Keep doing what you are doing

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Rashid Ishaq

Jul 25, 2015 01:49am

that's why mqm was against the extension of rangers

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Jul 25, 2015 01:54am

Land misappropriation,resturant raid. A page from Alcapon,s end. Looks phase 3 is in full swing. Incidentally al -capon was ring leader of Chicago,s mafia . If this continues there will be no safe heaven. Now I understand why most of political leaders live in London and Dubai. Stay tuned

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Zak

Jul 25, 2015 01:58am

When will land mafia pay the price for criminal usurpation of land.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 25, 2015 02:10am

Eradicate corruption please. Can the government please provide our Rangers and Police with decent vehicles. The one in the picture is disgraceful.

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Jul 25, 2015 02:32am

Great... After MQM now its PPP....Soon it will be PML and other "hope so"

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Khan- USA

Jul 25, 2015 02:36am

What expertise Rangers have in investing land grabbing issues ?

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Cy rus

Jul 25, 2015 02:37am

The "private persons" knew it was a crooked deal. The government functionary took bribe money. That would be the usual scenario. Any office workers who knew about the wrong doing would have been threatened with the loss of their jobs. They are the ones whom the police need to interview for confirmation. Some accountant or some one in the deeds department was ordered to cook the books or falsify records. Put the pressure on them. They still want to keep their jobs so they will talk. Someone like a personal secretary knew it was wrong but felt helpless to do anything about it.

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tarik

Jul 25, 2015 02:44am

That is what happens in democracy Pakistan style. Expose the names of those individuals who are committing this fraud including political party affiliation.

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Ali

Jul 25, 2015 03:07am

But why not raid Abid Sher Ali's palace and Mian Mansha's castles? Their corruption in power sector has made life miserable for everyone

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Rabz

Jul 25, 2015 03:09am

Well done God bless you guys Ameen.

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Harmony-1

Jul 25, 2015 03:16am

@Khan- USA - Why? Are you affected?

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Sohail

Jul 25, 2015 03:21am

Why just target Karachi? What about rest of Sindhi and Pakistan?

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Changez_Khan

Jul 25, 2015 03:25am

Rangers are doing a outstanding job in Karachi. This is the beginning of the end of land mafia, looters, corrupters, thieves, robbers, etc. etc. Keep up the great work Rangers. The entire country is behind you except the corrupt politicians.

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KeyPoints

Jul 25, 2015 03:49am

Bravo. Ranger, May Almighty bless you in this world and in hereafter. You have no idea, how much happiness you have brought to faces of average pakistani citizens. Please continue your action against corrupt individuals and land mafia, who have looted public land and properties for years, to make poor people even poorer. Please catch some big corrupt individuals and expose their real face to people of Pakistan. Thank you again.

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Addy

Jul 25, 2015 04:00am

@Khan-Haqiqi plz put us wise and clarify regarding illegal land acquired by DHA you are mentioning about?

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Arslan

Jul 25, 2015 04:10am

Rangers did the right thing. They went for records of Federal land as Sindh government can't cry over this! Clever by getting FIA involved too. Keep it up!

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Mansoor Banglani

Jul 25, 2015 04:13am

@ Khan-USA, they have got the legal teams to have the expertise of investigating the land records.

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muhammad

Jul 25, 2015 04:55am

Rangers in action . Sounds positive

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Ahmed

Jul 25, 2015 04:58am

I know a fried who sold his house and received partial payment only. But buyer took over the position. When he demanded rest of the money, they told him the house doesn't belong to him. All records were changed. I am certain there is land mafia taking over properties and no one is listening.

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Syed Meerza

Jul 25, 2015 05:16am

Rangers are under the control of Federal Govt.I have few suggestions: 1. Make legislation through Parliament to remove the law that they need approval of Provincial Govt. in order to carry out fruitful, impartial and fixated probe in to any mega scandal by any individual or institution. 2.Give them wider powers because NAB ,FIA and PAC have failed to do their job with honesty. 3.This is most important: If any politician,bureaucrat or influential businessman tries to interfere, they should be exposed and punished.

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Iqbal

Jul 25, 2015 05:41am

All efforts be made to reach a logical conclusion. In developed world all such issues are tackled according to law of the land. It should also be across the board. If we follow the fundamental universal principles, establish rule of law and be sincere to our country alone, things would start moving in the right direction. The accountability, if enforced, will definitely bring in a positive change. Moreso, let's not politicise everything, do it on merit and across the board sincerely to bring in a fresh breeze. Lastly, all stake holders must work in unison, let's not leave the matter half way or Nation is not kept in dark as was being done on many occasions in the past.

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SAA

Jul 25, 2015 06:05am

What's in a name? @Shujaat Khan

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Harmony-1

Jul 25, 2015 02:01pm

@Sohail - "Why Karachi", because it was in worst state. Should be grateful that at least it's getting better!!!

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