We have already handed over 265 acres of land of Cottage Industries to KMC, announces Senior Member Board of Revenue
Senior Member Board of Revenue, Khalid Haider Shah, stated that the Board of Revenue is in no way creating obstacles in the settlement of KMC Landhi Cottage Industries. He said that 265 acres of land were handed over to KMC a long time ago. It was KMC’s responsibility to protect the land and transfer it to the allottees for settlement. He added that KMC’s negligence should not be blamed on the Board of Revenue.
He was speaking to the petitioners of Landhi Cottage Industries at his office. This meeting was held on the orders of Sindh High Court Justices Adnan and Abdul Mubeen Lakho. The meeting was attended by KMC Land Director Athar Naqvi, Assistant Commissioner District Malir Aamir, petitioners of Landhi Cottage Industries, and office bearers of the Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries, including President Mahmood Hameed, Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Rizwan, Vice Chairman Iqbal Ahmed, General Secretary Ayub Khan, Finance Secretary Ashraf Ali Sheikh, Muhammad Ishaq, second petitioner Nasreen Abu Nasr, Advocate Muhammad Iqbal, and Muhammad Aqil.
On this occasion, Senior Member Board of Revenue Khalid Haider Shah clearly told the petitioners that the Revenue Board wants the settlement of Landhi Cottage Industries. That is why the land was handed over to KMC. He further said that 15 acres of land that had mistakenly been transferred to another party was now being cancelled.
During the meeting, President of Small Traders and petitioner Mahmood Hameed presented the allottees’ stance, stating that the issue of Landhi Cottage Industries has been pending for 33 years. He said this is a humanitarian issue. The scheme was announced by KMC for unemployed youth. A young man who purchased a plot in 1993 at the age of 25 is now 68 years old. Many allottees have passed away while waiting for their plots. Had these industries been established on time, more than 23,000 people would have gained employment.
He added that unemployment is the country’s biggest issue, and people employed in cottage industries support families of 150,000 to 200,000 individuals. He requested that the Revenue Board submit the land survey report to the High Court as soon as possible, in accordance with the order of Justice Salahuddin Panhwar.
General Secretary Ayub Khan presented the latest position of the Landhi Cottage Industries land to the Senior Member Revenue Board through photographs. Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Rizwan requested the Revenue Board to treat the oppressed allottees with sympathy. Sheikh Muhammad Ishaq said that the Board’s cooperation would provide employment to thousands and earn their prayers.
Second petitioner Nasreen Abu Nasr strongly criticized the stubbornness, corruption, and negligence of KMC officials, stating that the Land Director of KMC is the biggest obstacle to the settlement of Landhi Cottage Industries.
The allottees present thanked Khalid Haider Shah and said that his clear announcement has removed a major hurdle in the settlement of their cottage industries.
It is worth noting that for the restoration of Landhi Cottage Industries, Petition No. 5909/21 was filed by Mahmood Hameed and Muhammad Ayub, a second petition was filed by Nasreen Abu Nasr, and a third petition was filed by Muhammad Aqil in the High Court.
Following the assurance given by the Senior Member Board of Revenue, a wave of happiness spread among the allottees of Landhi Cottage Industries, who appreciated the leadership, struggle, and wise strategy of the Landhi Cottage Industries Action Committee.
