KARACHI: Tensions between Pakistan Railways and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have escalated over the construction of a road linking Natha Khan to Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Amid the dispute, incidents of waste being dumped outside a railway official’s residence and several railway offices have also been reported. However, authorities have yet to identify those responsible or establish the motive behind the incidents.
According to reports, waste was dumped outside the residence of the Divisional Superintendent (DS) of Pakistan Railways near the Chief Minister’s House. Similar incidents were reported outside railway offices on I.I. Chundrigar Road and near Drug Road on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Police officials said no formal complaint had been lodged regarding the dumping of waste.
Meanwhile, a case involving allegations of kidnapping and assault against railway police personnel has been registered at Shahrah-e-Faisal Police Station following a complaint by Saim Imran, Director of KMC’s City Wardens.
According to the first information report (FIR), Imran alleged that Cantonment Police Station SHO Ahsan Rasheed arrived at the construction site with other personnel, assaulted him and took him to an undisclosed location.
The complainant further alleged that he was humiliated at the location and subjected to additional violence after refusing to comply with certain demands, eventually losing consciousness. He said he regained consciousness at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Separately, an Additional District and Sessions Judge (East) granted interim bail to Ahsan Rasheed and directed him to furnish surety bonds worth Rs30,000.
Defence counsel Mahmood Hussain argued that KMC had attempted to construct a road over railway tracks despite providing written assurances to the contrary. He maintained that the case against railway police personnel was registered after they stopped the construction work. He also said a separate case had been registered against KMC officials at the Cantonment Police Station.
The dispute centres on a dual carriageway being built parallel to the Chakor Nullah, connecting Natha Khan Bridge with Pehlwan Goth and Habib University. The project, estimated to cost approximately Rs780 million, aims to ease traffic congestion on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Dalmia Road and in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
A Pakistan Railways official said the land in question belonged to the Karachi Circular Railway, and construction activities had triggered the dispute. KMC, however, has expressed concern over the obstruction of the project, maintaining that the necessary legal requirements were fulfilled before construction began.
According to a KMC spokesperson, senior officials are in contact with the railway administration in an effort to resolve the matter. Railway officials are also gathering information about the incident, while disagreements over land ownership and the legality of the construction remain unresolved.
