KARACHI: The Association of Builders and Developers (Abad) has identified more than 20 cases of land grabbing and encroachments in different parts of the city where the builders and developers are facing resistance from the “mafias”.

In a statement, the Abad said the relief has started emerging over its complaints following the directives of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to set up a steering committee to resolve all such issues.

“In the first phase, out of the 22 cases filed by Abad against land encroachments and land grabbing mafias, 14 cases were fully investigated. Anti-corruption inquiries were ordered for two cases, five cases were resolved, and instructions were issued to relevant departments for the remaining cases,” said the statement.

Abad chairman Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi lauded the initiative of the PPP chairman and the Sindh government, stating that their moves have restored business confidence. He urged the government to further strengthen the campaign against land grabbing mafias and encroachments.

The PPP chairman had in Jan 2025 addressed the traders and directed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to resolve the issues of the business community. Acting on his directive, the CM had set up a steering committee led by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar to oversee land grabbing and encroachment issues.

The committee recently held its first meeting in which it was briefed about illegal occupations of Abad members’ lands, mainly in the districts East, West, Malir, and Keamari.

In response, Mr Lanjar formed a sub-committee led by the Karachi commissioner and instructed them to present a comprehensive report within 15 days on Abad’s complaints, legal hurdles, and necessary actions.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025