My grandfather owned 70% land in Karachi: Nabil Gabol

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol, who remains in headlines for his controversial remarks, made some startling claims about his family's landownership history in Karachi. 

The lawmaker revealed that his grandfather owned 70% of land in the port city, through purchases at land auctions conducted by British colonial authorities.

During an interview, Gabol further claimed that his grandfather offered the Khudadad Colony to Muhajirs who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 to facilitate their settlements.

He maintained that the land for Jinnah International Airport was acquired by the government from his grandfather in the 1930s at a extremely undervalued price, with the full payment still outstanding.

"The government does not even have enough money to pay us what they owe," Gabol said. "If they were to pay our installments, how would they manage IMF loan payments?"

He elaborated on his claims, stating, "My grandfather acquired approximately 70% of the land in Karachi through auctions conducted by British colonial collectors, after which, the government imposed a ban on further land purchases by my grandfather, likely fearing they might acquire the entire city."

The politician said that his grandfather challenged the ban in court and won, but "he was murdered after resuming land purchases".

When the Karachi-born politician became minister, he demanded that if the government could not pay the amount owed, they name the airport terminal after his family, which they refused.

He furthered on, "They promised to return 20 acres to us. However, after a survey, we discovered that this area encompassed the Old Airport, where VVIP landings occur. I prepared a petition arguing that since the runway property is registered in our name, landings and takeoffs shouldn't be permitted"

Gabol added that he could not file a petition due to pressure but he is still pursuing it. 

"They did compensate us, as they allotted us 15 acres of land near the airport. It is an area where 1 acre of land costs 1 billion."

In another interview, Gabol revealed that his great grandfather, Khudadad Gabol, lived in the Sabzi Mandi area in the 1920s. He conducted his business while dressed in worn-out clothes. 

“He would carry a sack of money like trash bags so that people would mistake him for a sweeper and to avoid burglary and snatching.”

Nabil Gabol first made these claims in a 2023 interview, later reiterating and endorsing them in a follow-up interview.