Karachi: In the Kirthar area of the Jamshoro district, a young man named Imaan Ali found himself surrounded by a group of activists and journalists. He alleges that his piece of land, along with that of other villagers, has been stolen.
This group of journalists and activists has witnessed the ongoing usurpation of land in Kirthar by Bahria Town – a private real estate developer – from its local inhabitants.
When asked how your land’s possession was given to Bahria Town, he said, “Some policemen and guards of Bahria Town spoke in a threatening manner, saying that the law empowers Bahria Town to claim possession of the land.”
Ali continues and asks, “What could they do? Even local influential persons have pressured us to not resist and accept what Bahria Town says.”
Ali and other villagers felt abandoned, unable to fight against the owner of Bahria Town, Malik Riaz, who enjoys powerful support from the state.
For over a decade, Hafeez Baloch, an activist with Indigenous Rights Alliances, has been engaged in the struggle against the land mafia, Bahria Town, and Pakistan’s Defense Housing Authority. He has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against Bahria Town to protect the Kirthar Mountain.
“You are witnessing yourself that Bahria Town is stealing people’s land by claiming that the law allows it,” he says. Villagers wanted to fight, but unfortunately, no politician dared to stand up against Bahria Town. As a result, people who have been living here for centuries are now being forced to evacuate as if the land never belonged to them.
The Malir district is a cradle of culture and bears a history that illustrates the significance of the place, along with the old pathways connecting it to other districts. The land speaks in silence through its beauty and mountains. However, now, land grabbers and real estate tycoons are erasing such beauty. The interests of a few have changed everything – once, villagers could not climb mountains because the mountains belonged to the Kirthar area. Yet, currently, trolley trucks and bulldozers are moving in the area, collecting sand and cutting down mountains.
The locals have a lot to say about Bahria Town, expressing how everything that belongs to them is taken away. On the way to Mur Muradi, protesters blocked the road at Bandicha stop and complained that the village had suffered for days due to a lack of electricity. They could not harvest or perform other work. One protester, in grief and anger, mentioned that speaking to the media about Bahria Town could lead to Rangers and the police picking them up.
The locals have reportedly suffered unjustly at the hands of Bahria Town, with allegations of tactics used to force them off their land.
In Pakistan, there has been a debate about local land being allocated to real estate firms and key institutes in the name of development. The Sindh and Balochistan provinces have grave concerns because their land and natural resources are being taken or exploited. The locals are losing their rights of possession.
In Jamshoro district, where Bahria Town has expanded its construction, the caretaker government in Sindh has allocated 52,713 acres of land to the army under the Green Corporate Initiative Limited project. The land should be given to farmers, and it is argued that it should not be allocated to real estate developers, and the army, whose primary role is to protect the borders, not engage in farming.
Hafeez complained that he and his members, a decade ago, had been warning that the land of Sindh would be taken away, resulting in the transformation of locals into the minority. However, his concerns went unnoticed. Now, Sindh is witnessing how local land is being allocated to powerful quarters and real estate tycoons under the guise of development.
Also read: ‘Anti-people’ Construction Projects Are Killing Pakistan’s Malir, Say Locals
Bahria Town acquires more land than what was originally offered
While people could see the expansion of Bahria Town in Malir, they could hardly fathom the extent of the land it had acquired. After Hafeez’s petition, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered a survey to determine the extent of land under Bahria Town. A copy of the survey report, which was submitted to the Supreme Court, has been seen by The Wire.
According to the report, on March 21, 2019, Bahria Town claimed that it was to receive 16,896 acres of land in the district Malir, which falls under the province of Sindh. However, it stated that it only received 11,747 acres of land, resulting in a shortfall of 5,149 acres.
The same report revealed that “Bahria Town is in possession of 19,931.63 acres – 17,709.45 acres in district Malir and 2,222.18 acres in district Jamshoro. The unauthorised possession of land in Bahria Town’s possession is 3,035.63 acres.”
The Sindh government appears to be unaware that Bahria Town was illegally occupying additional land.
Trucks carrying sands in Thado River, which is part of Kirthar. Photo: Veengas
In fact, Bahria Town is said to be in further illegal possession.
The Sindh Indigenous Alliance demands that locals should be involved in the survey process to ensure a fair assessment. The reason is that Bahria Town has destroyed Kirthar Mountain, and the government is in denial, effectively protecting Bahria Town.
Official authorities firmly deny any construction in Kirthar
The government, however, claims they were unaware of Bahria Town’s illegal expansion in Malir. The same excuse could be used in the case of Kirthar, says Hafeez.
Kirthar, an ancient mountain, was declared a National Park in the 1970s and later became enlisted in the UN.
“No one could harm even a single stone of Kirthar in the past,” says wildlife photographer and activist Salman Baloch. “Now, I am witnessing the killing of Kirthar,” he said.
The late historian, Gul Hassan Kalmati, wrote, “According to international law, mountains above 55 feet cannot be cut. However, the mountains in Malir are much larger, ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet. This includes Panwaro Mountain, mentioned in the poetry of Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. In such cases, the Wildlife Protection Act was ignored.”
The wildlife department’s Javed Mahar says that whenever there is development, it is painful, and it comes at a cost too. Mahar told The Wire that no construction is being carried out in Kirthar. Despite the popular belief that these areas are part of Kirthar, he emphasised, “If anyone, whosoever violates the wildlife laws or engages in construction in Kirthar, the wildlife department will promptly file a criminal case against them.”
A map developed by Omer Darwesh, a geographic information system expert associated with the Sindh Indigenous Alliance, showing Bahria Town has entered Kirthar Mountain.
Nevertheless, he would also honour the revenue department for what it had described about Kirthar. In areas where coordinators are available, Kirthar is situated.
The map shows how many villagers were affected by Bahria Town. Credit: Omer Darwesh
On August 14, 2023, the Sindh Indigenous Alliance posted a picture of a signboard installed in Mur Muradi. Later, on September 22, it was removed, questioning whether it fell under Kirthar. Mahar denied it, saying that the Mur Muradi area was not part of Kirthar. Sometimes, the signboard is placed to guide people, and Kirthar is too far.
The Wildlife Department a signboard placed in Mur Muradi. Photo: Hafeez Baloch
However, Ali, a local, said that the signboard was placed in his area Mur Muradi, and it was part of the Kirthar area. They were warned not to harm animals and the area.
Omer Darwesh, a geographic information system expert, associated with the Sindh Indigenous Alliance, has developed maps to expose Bahria Town and its construction in Kirthar.
Darwesh questioned those who denied Mur Muradi was not part of Kirthar. He asked why they did not install a signboard on the main road of Gadap town. What was the use of a signboard inside the jungle? They placed a signboard in the jungle to inform locals that this area belonged to Kirthar. Now when Bahria Town was caught constructing in Mur Muradi, the government removed the signboard.
In areas where Bahria Town is under construction, they are not considered part of Kirthar. Tareh Goth and Faiz Mohammad Goth were not surveyed because they were under Kirthar, but other villages were counted. Why are the wildlife department employees in Faiz Mohammad village if it is not part of Kirthar?
He further said that the Pacheran Mountain and the river fall under Kirthar. Despite this, officials deny considering them part of Kirthar.
Two boys had attempted to climb the Pacheran Mountain. They were detained by the wildlife department for two days and fined for violating the Kirthar area. The wildlife department’s inconsistency is evident, as it seems they yield to the tycoon’s influence, allowing him to disregard laws without any consequences.
He criticised the government and recounted his meeting with officials. The government couldn’t provide travel logs crucial for the survey, casting doubt on their survey accuracy. Additionally, the revenue department lacks boundary information for Kirthar. While the Malir revenue department has some records, the Jamshoro branch has none.
The Wire approached Kirthar director Qazi Naeem regarding Bahria Town’s construction in Kirthar. He neither denied nor accepted but instead mentioned that the survey is ongoing, and he cannot provide any comments until it is completed.
Also read: A People’s History of Pakistan
Historical sites being ruined
In a region where locals are struggling to maintain their connection to the land, the history inscribed in the stones and old pathways bears witness to the journey of Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Sassui, who embarked on her journey through such ancient routes in search of her beloved Punhun.
Mur Murdai Chaukandi Graveyard. Photo: Veengas
The late historian, Gul Hassan Kalmati, stated that old pathways like the Mootani route from Gharo, Thatta to Gadap, Malir, and further connected to Vinder to Ketch are being erased. Sassui, who traveled through the same old pathways from Panwaro to Vinder, is now fading away.
Mur Muradi Chaukandi graves damaged. Photo: Veengas
The wildlife photographer and activist, Salman, pointed out that the Mur Muradi Chaukandi graveyard is ancient and should be protected by the government. However, Bahria Town is bulldozing it, along with Bengu graves on either side, to construct roads. Bengo, who sacrificed his life for the protection of his land, originally, had 19 graves, but now only six graves remain.
Malik Riaz, the owner of Bahria Town, is not only violating wildlife laws but also heritage laws. Despite this, the government pretends as if nothing has happened.
Ali asks, “I want to fight to protect my land and my home, but who will support me?”
