Karachi residents and environmentalists demanded an immediate halt to construction at Nehr-i-Khayam on Sunday, opposing commercial development along the Clifton waterway. They sought public disclosure of project plans, environmental approvals and spending on the reportedly Rs500 million scheme.
Members of Clifton Block 5 Residents Association, Clifton Defence Community (CDC) and Karachi Residents’ Community (District South) joined the protest. Excavation and concrete-mixing machinery continued working behind them.
Residents demand plans and financial transparency
Placards read “No food street on Nehr-i-Khayam” and “What are you building? Share the plan publicly”. Others warned against narrowing the drain and alleged violations of Supreme Court orders.
Resident Hummaa Ahmad questioned the absence of a public project information board.
“We want to know exactly what is being constructed here. We want full disclosure of the approved designs, land boundaries, environmental assessments, Sepa decisions, contracts and expenditure regarding the project,” she said.
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Protesters also demanded the approved budget, funding sources, contract scope, contractors’ identities, payments and actual expenditure.
Sheeraz Qureshi, whose family has lived in Clifton Block 5 for 40 years, called the work “illegal commercialisation”. He argued that dense commercial development would disrupt an already crowded residential neighbourhood.
Dr Nadia Kiran, who lives in an overlooking apartment, raised concerns about reports of a food street above a narrowed drain.
“The resulting traffic, rush and noise every day and night will destroy our peace of mind,” she said.
Drainage and marine environment raise concerns
Clifton Urban Forest founder and CEO Masood Lohar described Nehr-i-Khayam as a natural connection between Obhayo Lagoon and Gizri Creek. He warned against disturbing its marine ecosystem.
Rasha Tarek cited activist Ardeshir Cowasjee’s September 10, 2006 column, which called the channel “one of the major lungs of the Clifton area”. She stressed that its banks, landscape and drainage function concerned all Karachi residents.
Rumana Khan linked destructive flooding to decisions that obstruct natural water flows. Meanwhile, Humaira Khan criticised untreated sewage discharge into the sea and alleged commercial encroachment.
CDC President Abdur Rehman recalled previous encroachment attempts. He criticised inadequate drainage planning, citing the Lyari and Malir rivers.
Participants, including Elia Qazilbash, Syed Tipu Sharif and Shumaila Dawood, demanded protection of storm-water capacity and public open space. They sought sewage treatment, independent drainage and environmental scrutiny, and meaningful consultation before further work.
Earlier plans included a food street
An October 2025 APP report described plans for landscaping, a park, recreational facilities and a food street, with completion expected by June 2026. Officials said the project involved PANI, the People and Nature Initiative, and separate sewage drainage works.
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Separately, The News reported that the Sindh High Court issued notices to KMC and others over a petition challenging the conversion. The notices seek responses and do not constitute a final ruling on the project’s legality.
A KMC spokesperson said the local government department was executing the project. The spokesperson denied any involvement by KMC or Karachi’s mayor.
