A massive land scandal is brewing in Karachi as billions worth of city-owned property is being quietly handed over to influential people at throwaway prices. Sources claim the deals are happening under the supervision of Mayor Murtaza Wahab, with officers reportedly involved in helping allocate valuable plots to favorites instead of following legal procedures.
Reports reveal that over 65,000 square yards of valuable city land are being allocated for just a few crores of rupees — land that could easily be worth over 3 billion rupees if auctioned properly. Officials are accused of misusing their authority, issuing challans without proper details such as the buyer’s name, ID card number, or contact information.
In one case, a private educational organization was given 3,125 square yards of land in Baldia Town for just Rs 1,000 per square yard, totaling Rs 325,000 — on a ten-year lease. The plot, worth crores, was given for setting up an educational institution. After ten years, the organization will only pay a minimal increase of Rs 100 per square yard.
Another shocking case involves the allocation of 130 acres of land near Gutter Baghicha to a political family’s transport company for just Rs 2.2 million per month — roughly Rs 26 million a year — a fraction of its real market value. Documents show the deal was made through a direct agreement rather than open bidding.
Sources also claim that a powerful political personality in Quetta is being lined up to receive 65,000 square yards of land for a bus terminal project. A challan of Rs 29.45 million was submitted in June 2025, despite the land being valued in billions.
In another move, a prime plot on Molvi Tameezuddin Road, worth more than Rs 25 crore, is also allegedly being handed over without an open auction. Back in 2019, it was valued at Rs 8 crore but the auction was canceled — and now, insiders say the property is being quietly grabbed by those with connections.
According to reports, the City Council meeting scheduled for October 31, 2025, will officially present several resolutions to amend laws under the State and Accommodation Department. These amendments will allow easier allocation of city land, revised penalty rules, and new procedures for eviction and blacklisting violators.
The revised laws propose that disputes will be handled internally by the State Department — with limited rights for appeal and strict penalties, including eviction and even criminal cases for violations.
Observers fear these changes could legitimize the ongoing land grab, giving officials and insiders even more power to control Karachi’s valuable property assets with little transparency.
If these reports prove true, Karachi may be facing one of the biggest financial scandals in its history, with billions worth of public land sold off behind closed doors — and the city’s future put on the line for personal gain.
