KARACHI: City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has approached the federal government for verification of the ownership, title and legal status of a plot adjacent to Hill Park, intensifying an inquiry into a land controversy surrounding the property, said a statement issued by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Tuesday.

The KMC said the mayor had written to the federal secretary of the ministry of housing and works seeking complete records relating to Plot No 39-G-4 in Block-6, Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS), including title documents, allotment records, lease deeds, approved layout plans, survey reports and details of any regularisation, subdivision or reconstitution of the land.

According to the KMC statement, a preliminary review of planning records indicated that the plot, currently claimed to measure approximately 500 square yards, does not appear in the original 1959 approved master plan of PECHS.

The corporation stated that available records suggest only a “smaller residual parcel” may exist at the location.

The KMC said the findings raised questions regarding the basis on which the property is reflected as a separate 500-square-yard plot in certain records.

Given its location in Hill Park, the corporation has also sought clarification on whether any land designated for public use, open space, utility purposes or park-related facilities has been incorporated into the property.

“Karachi’s parks, amenity spaces, and public assets belong to its citizens. Any ambiguity regarding ownership, allotment, or use of land adjoining public facilities must be thoroughly investigated,” the KMC statement quoted the mayor’s letter to the federal secretary housing.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026