The issue of illegal encroachment and the construction of a petrol pump on valuable land belonging to the University of Karachi has assumed serious proportions, triggering growing concern within the university amid the absence of effective action by Sindh authorities.
In a recent letter addressed to Universities & Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch, KU Registrar Dr Imran pointed out that the matter had already been formally taken up on September 25, 2025. Despite assurances, the letter notes, neither any official response nor any tangible progress has been made so far.
The registrar warned that unlawful occupation of university land and unauthorised construction not only amount to direct interference in the institution’s administrative affairs but also pose a serious threat to its security, autonomy and academic environment. Such developments, he said, raise serious questions about the enforcement of the law and the credibility of state institutions.
KU has urged the provincial government to take the gravity of the matter into account, and provide immediate administrative and legal support to initiate and conclude anti-encroachment proceedings without further delay. The correspondence, according to the letter, was issued with the approval of the vice chancellor.
Separately, a member of the university’s syndicate and former president of the Teachers’ Society, Dr Mohsin, also called on the government to intervene, warning that if the land of a major national institution like KU cannot be protected, it could set a dangerous precedent for the future of educational institutions across the province.
