Probe ordered in multi-billion land scam

Ex-housing minister in limelight for purchasing land in Zone-IV at exorbitant rates.


Azam Khan June 18, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


The government has constituted a high-level committee to probe a multi-billion land scam. The property has been allegedly bought by former federal minister for housing Senator Rehmatullah Kakar of JUI-F, in the Zone-IV of the Margalla Hills National Park area where sale of land and commercial activities were banned.


The housing ministry purchased the land from a private company two years ago at much higher price than the prevailing market rates. Taking a cue from the judgment of the Supreme Court in 2007, the land was purchased for launching a housing project under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme at that time when construction was not allowed in Zone-IV, sources told The Express Tribune. The Supreme Court in 2007 allowed construction in Zone-IV of Islamabad and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to formulate regulations on the subject.

Over 400 kanals of shamlat (common land) of villagers have been included in the purchased land. In his defence, Senator Kakar said, “Only 259 kanals of Shamlat are included in Phulgran and Bobari land on the basis of ownership rights accrued.”

The incumbent Minister for Housing and Works, Faisal Saleh Hayat, detected the irregularities in the purchase of land from Green Trees Pvt Limited in 2009. He took a serious note of the issue and directed the officers of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) to mend their ways.

The minister nominated senior joint secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and submit a compliance report within 10 days. Hayat said that the purchase of 3,000 kanals of land by the Foundation at much higher rates raises serious questions about the procedures adopted by the FGEHF.

A senior office of the ministry said that in line with the minister’s directives, an inquiry covering all aspects of the deal has been launched. “A comprehensive report will be presented to the minister for further action,” he added.

Few months ago, the former minister for housing, Kakar had told the lawmakers that all the common areas (shamlats) were in the possession of the Foundation.  “Yes FGEHF has purchased 3,000 kanals of land in Phulgran and Bobari for Rs950,000 per kanal. The development of this property will be provided to the Foundation at Rs23,000,00 for a plot of 500 sq. yards,” he said.

The board of directors of FGEHF, constituted an evaluation committee for considering the proposals submitted by different land providers, he added. The Executive Committee took the presentations and approved ‘purchase deal’ in March, 2009. The layout plan of the scheme has been prepared and submitted to CDA.

Later, the civic agency refused to give a no objection certificate, it is learnt. Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat Elahi also confirmed the details.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2011.

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