ACU starts probing Ghauri Town dealers

Officials say Usman, Ghauri Towns’ owners have been summoned

ISLAMABAD: After facing action from authorities in the federal capital, the Punjab Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has now started probing property dealers involved in selling bogus plots in Ghauri Town.

The unit has summoned the owner of housing projects including Green Nest and Green Inspire, Chaudhry Usman, for an inquiry by the unit.

Sources said that Usman, along with Ghauri Town’s owners, Raja Akbar and Chaudhry Abdul Rehman, had allegedly looted billions from people by selling them plots in fake or illegal housing projects.

It added that Usman was a low-grade employee on a salary of Rs20,000 a month but became a billionaire in a short period. Therefore, the ACU has decided to conduct an inquiry into the matter. They will also investigate Akbar and Rehman.

Sources said that Green Nest and Green Inspire housing projects started selling files without obtaining a non-objection certificate (NOC) from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Subsequently, the interior ministry had also sought a report against the fraudulent property dealers and are expected to soon refer the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

A senior district official, who requested not to be named since he feared retribution, told The Express Tribune that Usman is involved in a scandal of selling 130 Kanals of land in Ghauri Town Phase VII which already belonged to another.

He said that any district official found involved in the illegal practice will face serious action.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2020.