Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with a delegation from the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) on Thursday and pledged that his government will enforce a zero-tolerance policy on land grabbing and extortion. The meeting underscored the provincial administration’s commitment to safeguarding the real estate sector and addressing security concerns faced by builders and developers in Karachi.
The ABAD delegation was led by Chairman Hassan Bakshi and included senior representatives such as Afzal Hameed and Hanif Gohar. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other high-ranking officials attended the discussions.
Murad Ali Shah reiterated that illegal land encroachments will not be permitted anywhere in Sindh and said clear instructions have been issued to the administration to prevent any form of land grabbing. He also directed authorities to act promptly against extortion threats, including those traced to foreign sources, after ABAD members reported multiple extortion calls demanding large sums of money.
During the meeting, the police briefed the building sector representatives on progress in at least ten reported extortion cases, including arrests and operational actions taken against alleged perpetrators. The chief minister said coordinated efforts with federal agencies would also be pursued to target extortion networks operating from abroad.
ABAD leaders expressed appreciation for the government’s interventions and stressed that robust enforcement would help restore confidence among investors and protect Karachi’s construction industry from criminal pressures.