NAB Karachi has recovered 43.11 acres of Pakistan Railways land in Karachi worth nearly Rs. 9.67 billion after a years-long probe into alleged encroachment by private mills.
Prime Railway Land Retrieved After Years-Long Probe
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has successfully recovered a large block of prime land belonging to Pakistan Railways in Karachi, following a years-long investigation into alleged encroachment. According to details, NAB retrieved 43.11 acres of railway land valued at around Rs. 9.671 billion.
The recovered property is located at Survey Numbers 48, 49, 50 and 51 in Deh Khanto Juma Goth, an area considered highly valuable due to its location and development potential. For Pakistan Railways, which has struggled for years with encroachments and underutilised assets, the recovery marks a major step in protecting public property from illegal occupation.
How the Encroachment Case First Came to Light
The case dates back to July 13, 2019, when NAB Karachi initiated an inquiry after receiving allegations that government land belonging to Pakistan Railways had been encroached upon by private textile mills. The complaint suggested that valuable state land was being used or held without lawful authority, raising questions about possible collusion and negligence.
During the early stages of the probe, NAB examined records from Pakistan Railways and local revenue authorities to determine how the land had been recorded, transferred or occupied over time. However, the inquiry was temporarily closed following a Supreme Court decision, which affected the status of certain NAB investigations and required legal reassessment before further action could be taken.
Inquiry Reopened on Pakistan Railways’ Request
In 2025, Pakistan Railways formally requested that NAB reopen the case, arguing that the land in question remained vulnerable and that previous directions had not been fully implemented on the ground. NAB agreed and revived the inquiry, shifting the focus onto officials from the Railway and Revenue Departments, as well as private parties alleged to be involved in the ongoing encroachment.
Pakistan Railways maintained that formal possession of the land had been secured in 2021 under Supreme Court orders. However, NAB’s renewed investigation painted a different picture. Its officers found that, despite official claims, private textile mills still retained actual physical possession of the site, and railway authorities did not have effective control over the area.
NAB Efforts Lead to Physical Recovery of 43.11 Acres
After gathering documentary evidence and conducting site visits, NAB Karachi moved to enforce the legal position on the ground. Through what the bureau has described as dedicated efforts by its investigating team, the inquiry was brought to a conclusion and the encroachers were compelled to vacate the land.
As a result, the full 43.11 acres have now been restored to the physical possession of Pakistan Railways. This means that not only does the railway ministry hold title on paper, but it can also exercise real control over the land, plan future use and protect it from fresh encroachment. NAB has highlighted the recovery as an example of how accountability processes can directly protect state assets and prevent long-term financial loss to the national exchequer.
Why This Recovery Matters for Public Assets and Accountability
The Karachi land recovery underscores a wider challenge facing many public-sector entities in Pakistan: valuable government property is often vulnerable to encroachment, weak record-keeping and misuse. When such land is illegally occupied, the state loses not only potential revenue but also strategic space for infrastructure, housing or commercial development.
By re-establishing Pakistan Railways’ control over land worth nearly Rs. 10 billion, NAB’s action sends a strong signal that encroachment on public property will not be ignored. It also reinforces the importance of coordination between investigative bodies, government departments and the courts. If Pakistan Railways can now put the recovered land to productive use, the benefits of this case could extend well beyond the immediate financial valuation and contribute to better management of state-owned assets in the future.
