Auction of amenity plots: SHC summons KMC administrator

[Salman]

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday summoned the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) administrator along with explanation for auctioning nine plots which were earmarked for community gardens and playgrounds.

Headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah a division bench had taken up a petition filed by Shamim Ahmed and other residents of North Karachi who had taken the KMC administrator and other officials of the local administration to the court for unlawfully selling the plots earmarked for community garden and playground in North Karachi.

The petitioners had submitted that the KMC officials illegally sold out the plot No ST-9 admeasuring 1,200 square yards which was reserved for the community garden and playground. They said the amenity plot was reserved to be used for the recreational purposes by then Karachi Development Authority (KDA) but the KMC authorities auctioned it illegally.

In response to the petitioners’ contention, KMC counsel Azra Muqeem told the judges that the corporation had filed a statement along with the list of community gardens which were auctioned by it through public auction. She said nine plots were auctioned for the community purpose but she could not spell out the community purpose for which they were sold.

Observing that the KMC counsel had totally failed to point out the community purpose for which the plots were sold out, the two-judge bench directed the KMC administrator to appear in the court and submit details about the up-to-date status of all nine plots, the purpose for which they were auctioned and present position of business which was being run on the plots. The court also required him to submit first master layout plan of the plots before it.

The court directed him to submit all such details within 10 days.