NAB arrests Mir Shakilur Rehman in 54-kanal land scandal

Will present owner of Jang/Geo Group in accountability court today to obtain his physical remand

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested Mir Shakilur Rahman, the owner of the Jang/Geo Group, in a land scandal – involving 54 kanals – in Johar Town, Lahore.

Rehman will be presented before an accountability court today (Friday) to obtain a 14-day physical remand.
According to NAB, Rahman was arrested for not giving satisfactory answers to their 26-point questionnaire.

On Thursday, Rahman appeared before NAB for the second time. He had appeared before NAB for the first time in the land scandal on March 5 and was grilled for almost two hours.

During his second appearance, Rahman reached NAB office at 3pm and during the course of investigation misbehaved with the officials.

Rahman got irritated at NAB officials for asking the same questions over and over again.

The NAB chairman was apprised of the situation and immediately security personnel were called in, who arrested him and put him in lockup.

According to NAB Lahore, Rahman is accused of illegally obtaining 54 plots from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif when he was the Punjab chief minister in 1986.
According to NAB sources, Rahman is accused of availing concession on 54 plots from Nawaz.

“Rahman did not qualify during the allotment of plots in 1986,” said the sources, adding that the allotment of plots was also illegal.

NAB officials asked accused Rahman 26 questions, including – “from whom and how did you buy the land”? But he failed to give and submit satisfactory answers.

The sources said replies of the accused are being reviewed while it has been decided to write letters to the land departments.

“NAB will seek land records from the Lahore Development Authority,” the sources said. “It has also been decided to obtain the complete record of the 54-kanal land from the Revenue Department.”

Questionnaire
Have you ever met Muhammad Ali, son of Mehtab Ali in person? If yes, when and where?

Do you know when Muhammad Ali died? Can you name his legal heirs?
Where and how did you first meet the legal heirs of Muhammad Ali? Which of his children met you in person? Why did they appoint you as their general attorney? What were the reasons?

Did you pay any consideration in lieu of that? If yes, how much? What was the mode of payment? For what purpose did you first approach LDA as general attorney of Hidayat Ali, etc.

What was LDA's response to your application?

According to LDA's exemption policy, more than 15 plots measuring one kanal cannot be exempted to you. What were the reasons that you were exempted 54 plots measuring one kanal each in a single compact block?

Was your case of exemption of 54 plots ever forwarded to the then chief minister of Punjab for approval?

Was your case of exemption of 54 plots approved by the then chief minister? Or were any objections raised by him?

According to the terms and conditions of the exemption letter, you were required to surrender the remaining 70 per cent of your land in the favour of the LDA. Have you surrendered that land? If yes, through which document did you surrender the land and when?

Did you make any payment for the land of two streets, measuring approximately two to three kanals, which was given to you as excess land by the LDA? If yes, how much did you pay?

Did LDA inform you regarding any outstanding payment in lieu of cost excess land and surcharge for extension of building period?

When you got general power of attorney from the heirs of Muhammad Ali, a local commission was appointed. Do you know him?

When and where did the local commission take signatures and thumb impressions of the legal heirs of Muhammad Ali?

Was the village numberdar or counselor or prominent/notable person of the village present at the place where the signatures and thumb impressions of Hidayat Ali, etc were taken?

Did you go to the house of Hidayat Ali, etc? If yes, where was their house located?

You made a sale deed in the favour of your wife and children being the GPA holder of Hidayat Ali, etc. What was the mode of payment? What amount was paid, by whom was it paid and to whom was the payment made?

Was any payment made in presence of the Sub-Registrar? If yes, was amount paid in presence of the Sub-Registrar?

The plots were later transferred to you by your wife and children. Was the gift deed oral or written?

Mention the names and ages of your children who were minor at the time of transfer of these plots in your name?

When gift was made to you from your children did you take any affidavits from them?

Did you take any permission from the guardian court before making the sale or gift from your minor children to yourself? If yes, from which court did you seek permission? Please mention the respective court and the date of orders/permission so granted.

When you obtained the General Power of Attorney did you visit the land yourself? If yes, can you specify the location of the land?

The land for which you obtained General Power of Attorney was not located at one place in compact form, rather it was located in the form of three pockets at different locations. How did you get 54 plots exempted at one place in a compact single block?

Did you meet the then DG LDA in person, who forwarded the summary of your case of exemption for approval to the then Punjab chief minister?

Land of two streets was also sold to you. Did you know that the land of common passage cannot be sold to any person? What were the reasons for this preferential treatment?