Education City project poses a big threat to Indigenous People, Farmland, and Heritage
- The provincial government should immediately review Education City’s activities, halt the destruction of fertile lands, and renew the leases of the indigenous people who have guarded this land for centuries.
Farooq Sargani
The price of so-called “development” may soon claim hundreds of species of trees and wildlife. Some are rare endemics found only in the Malir region, taking decades to reach maturity. Furthermore, during the monsoon season, the rivers that once carried fresh water are being choked by pollution from encroaching housing schemes and institutional complexes. Eventually, these lifelines will be reduced to sewage drains (nullahs). Today, locals still sit on the riverbanks to graze their livestock and enjoy the sounds of nature; however, in the near future, the Sukhan and Malir seasonal rivers risk becoming flowing graveyards. The morning chorus of birds will be silenced, and the peaceful solitude of the night will vanish like a fading scent in the air.
This project has sparked deep resentment among indigenous communities whose ancestral farmlands have been cleared. Residents of Deh Chuhar recall a time when the region was a lush, fertile haven for mangoes, sitaphal, falsa, guavas, chiku, eggplants, and gourds. Even now, local men and women continue to toil in these fields, proving the soil’s enduring vitality. Yet, under the guise of progress, this green belt is being sacrificed for concrete structures.
The Genesis of Education City
The provincial government’s push for “Education City” gained formal momentum in 2001 through a provincial cabinet decision, though the vision dates back to 2000. While land was steadily allotted to various institutions, a comprehensive master plan remained unfinished for years. In 2006, the Sindh cabinet officially designated Deh Chuhar for the project. As urban property rates skyrocketed, reputable national and international institutes sought land within the proposed city. By 2021, construction was in full swing.
Today, over 50 educational and health institutions are slated for Deh Chuhar. While the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects a 2050 completion date, critics argue the report overlooks several devastating social and ecological consequences.
The Critique of “Development”
“The development of Education City serves only the elite; ordinary people cannot afford these fees,” argues local environmental activist Hafeez Baloch. “Capitalists are building these institutes for commercial gain, not for the community.”
Baloch emphasizes that the land seized for the project is prime agricultural soil—”more valuable than gold.” He laments that the provincial government has encouraged investors to ruin this heritage, creating a concrete jungle while displacing indigenous families without a plan for resettlement or compensation.
Amar Gul, a poet and translator, echoes this heartbreak. “I once wrote poetry about the lush greenery of Malir with a delighted heart; now, I write about its destruction,” he says. For the native population, the economy is inextricably linked to the earth. Many are neither mentally nor physically prepared for a transition from cultivation to urban labor. Furthermore, the displacement threatens the traditional independence of local women, who hold a deep, working connection to the land—a system that currently bolsters Karachi’s food security.
Akram Jokhio’s Resistance
In the cool November winds of Malir, the contrast between the old world and the new is stark. Near the Dumlottee Wells—historic British-era structures intended to supplement the city’s water—the landscape is changing.
Akram Jokhio is a man who refused to let his ancestral heritage disappear quietly. When the local administration arrived with bulldozers to demolish his huts and fields, claiming his 1992 lease had expired in 2023, Akram stood his ground. Armed with British-era documents and the power of a viral social media video, he managed to save one-third of his land. However, ten acres were still confiscated for the Education City office.
When asked about his loss, Akram laughs bitterly. “If a person becomes upset when a donkey dies, how should I feel losing ten acres? They didn’t give me a single penny. They build high-rises while we are pushed out of our small homes.”
Ecological and Historical Erosion
The region’s biodiversity is staggering. Photographer Salman Baloch notes that the area is home to 70 butterfly species, 193 bird species, 12 species of snakes, and 15 mammal species. Residents like Muhammad Murad Baloch report seeing wild animals wandering near the newly acquired Aga Khan University sites at night. As their habitats are fenced off, these species face displacement or extinction.
Beyond biology, the project threatens history. The region contains five archaeological sites and sits on the path of the legendary heroine Sassui. Historians Gul Hassan Kalmati and researchers from the University of Karachi have traced Sassui’s route across the Sukhan River—a vital medieval trade link between Sindh and Balochistan. The construction also threatens two historical carved graveyards, erasing physical links to the past.
A Stolen Generation
The youth of Deh Chuhar and Dharsano Chhano face a future as a “stolen generation.” Within decades, their cultural norms will be subsumed by mega-technology zones and housing schemes. Ironically, local students—often limited to matriculation or intermediate education—will likely be ineligible for the high-level jobs these international institutes provide.
Their language, ancient graveyards, and traditional celebrations are being replaced by a sense of alienation. Twenty-nine villages face destruction as land grabbers and developers encroach further. Despite the involvement of local political figures in these provincial decisions, many residents still hold onto the fading hope that their representatives will intervene.
To save Karachi’s green belt and ensure future food security, a collective effort is required. Civil society, environmental activists, and progressive political parties must organize alongside local communities. The provincial government should immediately review Education City’s activities, halt the destruction of fertile lands, and renew the leases of the indigenous people who have guarded this land for centuries.
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The author is freelance writer. He has graduated from Karachi University
