KARACHI: An accountability court in Karachi has issued notices to 10 individuals following a request from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to restore a reference involving the alleged illegal allotment and commercial use of welfare plots in Clifton.
Among those summoned are Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and former Sindh Building Control Authority Director General Iftikhar Qaimkhani. The accused have been directed to appear before the court on September 15, 2026.
The latest development follows a decision by the Sindh High Court to set aside an earlier order that had shifted the matter to an anti-corruption court. The case has now been returned to the accountability court for further proceedings.
Case Linked to Welfare and Commercial Plots
The NAB reference relates to two amenity plots located near Kothari Parade in Clifton. According to the case record, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had established 198 stalls and shops on the plots in 1982 to accommodate hawkers and shopkeepers who had been displaced from other locations.
The reference also involves four separate commercial plots, each measuring 255.55 square yards, situated in the same area.
NAB’s case alleges that a private construction company associated with DJ Builders and Developers acquired the four commercial plots as well as the 198 stalls. However, the two amenity plots were allegedly not formally transferred to the developer despite the land subsequently being developed and used for commercial purposes.
Reference Has Been Pending Since 2019
The case is not a recent legal dispute. NAB originally filed the reference in June 2019, and the accountability court admitted it later that year.
The reference named several government officials and private-sector individuals, including Mustafa Kamal, who was serving as Karachi’s district coordination officer at the time, along with Fazlur Rehman, Iftikhar Qaimkhani and other officials and developers.
The accused were indicted in November 2020 and denied the allegations, choosing to contest the case through the judicial process.
Since then, the matter has passed through different judicial forums. The transfer of the case to an anti-corruption court became another stage in the prolonged proceedings before the Sindh High Court intervened and directed that it return to the accountability court.
Why Amenity Land Is Central to the Case
The dispute highlights the legal importance of land classified for public or welfare purposes. Amenity plots are generally designated for specific community or public uses, making their subsequent commercial development or transfer subject to relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
The Clifton case therefore goes beyond an ordinary dispute over property ownership. It raises questions about the original purpose of public land, the process through which rights over such land were created or transferred, and whether the required legal procedures were followed.
Court Proceedings Still Pending
The September 15 appearance will allow the accountability court to resume proceedings following the restoration of the reference. However, the latest court action does not establish that the allegations have been proven.
The legality of the allotments, ownership arrangements and subsequent commercial use will remain subject to evidence and further judicial proceedings. Given the case’s long history and previous movement between courts, the restoration should be viewed as another procedural step rather than a final determination.
Implications for Property Buyers and Land Governance
The case also highlights the importance of examining a property’s historical land-use designation, particularly where commercial activity has developed on land that was originally reserved for welfare or public purposes.
For buyers, investors and property researchers in Clifton and other established areas of Karachi, current commercial use alone may not establish clear ownership. Reviewing original allotment records, land-use status, transfer documents, approvals and relevant government records can help identify potential legal or title-related concerns before a transaction is completed.
