A dispute over the ownership and use of land housing Idara Noor-e-Haq surfaced in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) City Council, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab claiming that the property belongs to the KMC.
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Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), however, has rejected the claim and challenged the mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab to substantiate his allegations.
The dispute concerns plots 503 and 504 in Quaid’s Colony, Jamshed Quarters, where Idara Noor-e-Haq is located.
Wahab told the City Council that the plots were owned by the KMC and had initially been provided for welfare activities. He alleged that the premises were now being used for political purposes.
PPP leader Najmi Alam backed the mayor’s position, claiming that the property had been allotted to Alkhidmat for welfare-related activities but was subsequently being used for political purposes.
JI KMC City Council Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate rejected the allegations and disputed the KMC’s ownership claim.
He challenged Wahab to prove that the property belonged to the municipal corporation, saying he would resign as opposition leader if the claim was established. He also called on those making allegations to resign if they failed to substantiate them.
Saifuddin said the property comprised two bungalows that had been purchased by the organisation and maintained that relevant ownership documents were available.
Times of Karachi have obtained the documents related to the land of Idara Noor-e-Haq.
A transfer deed dated October 14, 2006, identifies Alkhidmat Society as the transferor and Idara Noor-e-Haq as the transferee. The document states that the property was transferred without any financial consideration.
According to the deed, the property covers approximately 1,160 square yards and refers to old Survey No. 524 and a custodian number.
It records the transfer of rights and interests in the property to Idara Noor-e-Haq and bears the signatures and official stamps of representatives of both organisations.
Wahab nevertheless maintained that the underlying land belongs to the KMC. He said the lease mutation and lease were processed by the municipal corporation because, according to him, the land falls under KMC ownership.
JI has separately presented details of what it says were purchases of the two plots.
The party said Plot 503 originally belonged to Sir Ibrahim Haroon Jaffer, whom it described as a leader of the Pakistan Movement.
According to JI, Idara Noor-e-Haq Trust purchased the plot in 1988 through a registered sale deed for Rs3 million. The party said the deed carries the signatures of five of Ibrahim Haroon’s sons.
Regarding Plot 504, JI said its ground and first floors were acquired separately from different owners. It stated that the ground floor was purchased in October 2001 for Rs7.9625 million, while the first floor was acquired for Rs4.2875 million.
Based on these records, JI maintains that its offices are not situated on KMC-owned property.
JI also accused Wahab of making the allegations to divert attention from issues raised by the opposition during the City Council session.
The party said it had objected to the proposed disposal of land and plots in Orangi, Baldia and Clifton, which it claimed were worth billions of rupees. JI alleged that the mayor became defensive after questions were raised over the proposed transactions.
The party further alleged that Wahab had failed to satisfactorily respond to questions concerning alleged corruption and the allocation of valuable properties to individuals close to him.
JI demanded that the mayor withdraw his allegations and apologise, while also stating that it reserved the right to pursue legal action.
