Action launched against land grabbers

LAHORE: Vigorous action is being taken against land grabbers across the province, on the directions of Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Director General Muhammad Gohar Nafees. According to an ACE spokesperson, all ACE Regional Directors have been issued directions to compile data of all current housing societies and other government lands so that illegal occupants of state lands could be identified, in this regard. On receiving source report Rawalpindi ACE has formally initiated an inquiry regarding land transfer deed made between Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and Top City Housing Society. It surfaced during initial inquiry that large scale irregularities occurred between RDA and Top City Housing Society in transfer deeds and loss of national exchequer amounting to billions of rupees has been caused due to their mutual connivance. The RDA granted 703 kanals of land to the housing society and received 280 kanals of land in return. The land given to RDA by the housing society was sold at a very low price. Similarly, initial investigation revealed that no permission had been obtained from any authority concerned regarding the transfer deed. Rawalpindi ACE Regional Director Arif Rahim appointed Rawalpindi Circle Officer Zahid Mahmood as inquiry officer in order to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2019.