KARACHI: There is a NAB Reference No.29/2018, pending with Accountability Court against 15 accused involved in corruption of Rs.800 Million (Approx) on account of Karimabad Ismailia Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited ST-2 (KIMCSL), Karachi, including one official from the Registrar Housing Societies, Govt. of Sindh, and three officials from Sindh Building Control Authority. However, a new crop of culprits has emerged by ruling the KIMCSL residents in the same fashion without any fear of the NAB and its Accountability Courts.  

It was registered on receipt of a complaint from the residents of the Karimabad Ismailia Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited (KIMCSL), Karachi against management/accused persons of the Society regarding their involvement in corruption and corrupt practices. Inquiry followed by investigation was authorized by DG, NAB (K) vide letter No.NABK2015092210360/IW-1/co-a/2017/9242, dated 17.10.2017. It was alleged that during the course of investigation, the case was established against 15 accused through oral and documentary evidences that they caused loss to the public exchequer to the tune of Rs.800 Million (Approx) and embezzled the funds as well as resources of the KIMCSL. 

According to detail the Aga Khan Ismailia Charitable Trust had gifted a Plot No.ST-2, Block-3, situated in K.D.A. Scheme No.16, F.B. Area, Karachi admeasuring 8-30 acres (40,172 square yards) with buildings constructed thereon and the possession thereof was also handed over to the Society to run the affairs for the benefits of their members, who were residents of the colony known as Karimabad Ismailia Multipurpose Cooperative Housing Society, Karachi (KIMCSL) vide Gift Deed dated 04.03.1992.

A few criminal office bearers of the Society violating the bye-laws occupied illegally and unlawfully the management of the Society. The total 23 buildings blocks were approved by Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the criminals’ management of KIMCSL converted amenity areas including Primary School, Recreational area, Library, Lavatories, air raid shelters and Emergency Exit (Gate) of building Nos. KA10, KA11, KA16 & KA17 into the commercial area, the total area of amenity areas and others were 19,500 square feet. The revised plan was submitted by the management of KIMCSL before the officials of SBCA. Those officials by misusing their authority, power and position, connivance with each other converted into commercial which was in violation of Sindh Building Control Authority rules and regulations as well as in contravention of the revised proposed building plan dated 24.8.1998.

They approved the same and the criminal management sold that amenity and other areas at high rates, but the amount received by selling the amenity areas put into their pockets. Further, it also came on the surface that the transfer and registration fees, Rs.30.5 Million, the security deposit amounting to Rs.76 Million were collected by the management, which was not mentioned in the books of accounts and embezzled by the office bearers of KIMCSL.

The High Court of Sindh while hearing this case for bails in year 2019 remarked that corruption has spoiled Pakistan completely and is resulting increase in poverty, unemployment, and hunger. Corruption has been deep-rooted in all levels either private or government, in this case, the land 8-30 acres (40,172 Sq. yards) was gifted by Aga Khan Ismaili Charitable Trust to the KIMCSL for welfare of the people, but the additional amount received by the private management by selling amenity areas used in their welfare and all such objects were not possible but the role played by the officials belonged to the Sindh Building Control Authority, made possible and approved revised plan and caused loss to the society at the tune of Rs.800 Million. 

The Court said there is sufficient material available on record to connect Barkat Ali, Nizar Ali Fazwani, Karim Farishta, Amin Muhammad Fazwani and Essa Khan with the commission of the offence. Accordingly, their bail petitions stand dismissed by the SHC and the orders of Court’s granting interim pre-arrest bail to the said petitioners were recalled and the post-arrest bail of the petitioners, namely, Hameedullah Shaikh, Sikandar Ali, Muhammad Ali, Pervez Akhtar Khan, and Syed Mazhar Ali Shah also stand dismissed.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 30 2024

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.