LAHORE: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on Wednesday conducted a large-scale operation against illegal occupiers in Karachi, reclaiming 17 acres of valuable land worth more than “Rs4.93 billion”.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of board secretary Fareed Iqbal and led by Karachi Administrator Asif Khan.

According to a spokesperson, the operation targeted commercial areas such as the Chamber of Commerce Hospital, Akbar School, Deh Khari, Islamia College Jamshed Quarters, and New Karachi.

Illegal marriage halls, hospitals, and shops had been built on trust property in these areas.

Fareed Iqbal said that occupying trust land was a serious offence, and indiscriminate actions against such elements would continue as per the directives of the federal government and the head of the One-Man Commission, Shoaib Suddle.

Administrator Asif Khan submitted a detailed report of the operation to the federal government and the One-Man Commission. The operation was supported by the FIA and police.

All reclaimed properties have been sealed immediately, and security personnel deployed there.

Earlier, on May 4, the ETPB also recovered properties worth a total of Rs742 million in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2025