Karachi (HRNW)- The decision to allocate 40 acres of valuable government land belonging to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to a private biogas project has raised serious concerns regarding transparency, use of authority and a possible conflict of interest. The approval was granted by Municipal Commissioner KMC Syed Afzal Zaidi, despite written objections from the concerned department.
According to sources, the 40-acre land located at the City Abattoir (Slaughter House) falls under the administrative control of the Veterinary Services Department, whose technical approval was mandatory for any private or commercial project.
However, the Veterinary Services Department clearly opposed the project in writing, declaring the land completely unsuitable. The department stated that the land is essential for the present and future requirements of the abattoir and warned that the biogas project could create serious health, environmental and operational issues. It also recommended that an alternative site be identified for the private project.
Despite these objections and refusals, the file reportedly moved forward at an unusual pace, resulting in approval for the allocation of 40 acres of land. This has led to growing anxiety within KMC’s internal circles.
Sources claim that departmental objections were included in the file but ignored, and that despite technical and legal weaknesses, the matter was pursued under what has been described as “special interest” at the level of the Municipal Commissioner.
The most serious concern being discussed internally is the potential conflict of interest. It has been alleged that Municipal Commissioner Syed Afzal Zaidi may be directly or indirectly linked to the biogas project; however, this claim has not been established in any judicial forum so far.
Several key questions related to public interest remain unanswered, including whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted, whether formal approval was obtained from the KMC Council, Planning Board or other relevant bodies, what the terms and benefits of the project are for KMC, and on what grounds such a large tract of prime urban land was allocated to a private entity.
In line with journalistic ethics, it is essential to include the official stance of Municipal Commissioner KMC Syed Afzal Zaidi on all these points. HRNW clarifies that his version will be included in the same report whenever it is provided.
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