Karachi: Staff Reporter
Muhammad Arif Mirza, a Pakistani-American citizen, held an urgent press conference at the Karachi Press Club, revealing that his legally owned plot on Shahrah-e-Shaheed-e-Millat, Karachi (Plot No. SNCC 3/3, Block 7 and 8), had been illegally occupied. He disclosed that a commercial building, “Hill Trade Center,” was constructed on his land through fraudulent means. He appealed to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other top officials for immediate intervention and justice.
How the Land Was Taken
Eighty-year-old Muhammad Arif Mirza, who has been residing in the U.S. for over 50 years, stated that he legally acquired the plot in 1968, with all payments made via check to the Karachi Cooperative Housing Societies Union. However, upon returning to Karachi in 2015 after his mother’s death, he discovered that his land had been fraudulently transferred to an individual named Khurshid Anwar, who then sold it to Topaz Builders.
Fraudulent Scheme
Muhammad Arif Mirza explained that Khurshid Anwar and Qamar-un-Nisa Begum filed a fake lawsuit and later reached a fraudulent settlement in court, transferring the land to Topaz Builders. The builders subsequently misled the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to get the building plans approved and constructed the “Hill Trade Center.”
Violation of Court Orders
Muhammad Arif Mirza challenged the illegal transfer and construction in the Sindh High Court. The court issued an order restraining the builder from selling the property or issuing sub-leases to third parties. However, the builder ignored the court orders, completed the building, and began issuing sub-leases to innocent buyers despite the ongoing legal dispute.
When the matter came to SBCA’s attention, they sealed the building on January 28, 2025. However, the builder illegally removed the seal and continued operations.
Press Conference: Appeal to High Officials
During the press conference at Karachi Press Club, Muhammad Arif Mirza was accompanied by senior Supreme Court lawyer Amir Aziz Khan, Advocate Zeenat Yasmin (Vice Chairperson of Shelter Association), and senior PPP leader Zafar Jhandeer.
Mirza appealed to Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Army Chief, Chief Minister Sindh, Governor Sindh, and particularly Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to take immediate action and ensure the return of his land.
Special Appeal to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Addressing Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Mirza requested that action be taken against land mafias in Karachi and that his property be returned. He emphasized that his case is not isolated, as hundreds of Karachi residents have fallen victim to land mafias and are desperately seeking justice.
He urged Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to direct the Sindh government to take strict measures against land mafias and ensure that innocent citizens reclaim their rightful properties.
Conclusion
Muhammad Arif Mirza’s story is a stark example of the growing influence of land mafias in Karachi and the violation of innocent citizens’ rights. Resolving such issues requires immediate and effective action from the government, judiciary, and social leaders.
Leaders like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are expected to take personal interest in this matter to ensure justice for Muhammad Arif Mirza and other victims of similar fraudulent schemes.
Without justice and the rule of law, societal progress remains unattainable. It is imperative for high-ranking officials to prioritize this issue and take decisive action against land mafias to restore faith in the legal system and protect the rights of ordinary citizens.
