A DISPUTE has broken out between Karachi’s political representatives over illegal encroachments on the city’s iconic Hill Park. Addressing an ‘emergency’ press conference at the park this Sunday, MQM-P leaders railed against the KMC and other authorities, accusing them of making illegal land allotments and “destroying the environment” with unauthorised development of protected land. The trigger, it seems, was suspicious development activity in that area over the Eid holiday. MQM-P senior leader Farooq Sattar also alleged on the occasion that Karachi’s public lands were being handed over to land grabbers under the provincial government’s patronage. The PPP mayor, Murtaza Wahab, categorically denied the charge, noting that work had already been halted on the disputed site and legal action would follow. Meanwhile, as the parties jousted, the average Karachiite was probably wondering what the fuss was about. After all, the city is no stranger to land grabbing at every imaginable scale, and the MQM itself has much to answer for.

There is no question that public spaces must be protected and fought for, but for the MQM to be wringing its hands over Hill Park’s fate seems like the party is shedding crocodile tears, especially considering how the city’s amenities were carved up during the time the MQM still held considerable sway over the city’s affairs. Local NGOs have done invaluable work documenting how amenity plots in Baldia, Surjani and Gadap towns were converted to residential areas, clinics and mosques through the process known as ‘China cutting’. That notorious trend then spread to North Nazimabad, Korangi and Gulshan. Nearly every major political party has been complicit in this practice. The people and, especially, the children of those areas are just as deserving of public spaces as the people who reside near Hill Park. Karachi’s public spaces need protection without politicisation. The city needs to put its residents first and foremost, not the interests of politicians and land developers.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026