NAB cancels illegal lease of 435 acres in Dhabeji

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has secured the cancellation of an allegedly illegal lease of 435 acres of government land in Dhabeji, Thatta district, restoring the valuable property to the Sindh government.

According to a NAB statement issued on Friday, the development came during an inquiry against Sajid Haroon and Fawad Anwar, owners of M/s Dhabeji Salt Works (Pvt) Ltd and M/s Aqua Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Dhabeji, and others.

The inquiry concerns the alleged illegal and unauthorised extension of the lease through forged documents. The 435 acres of government land involved in the case have an estimated value of Rs2.61 billion, according to NAB.

The national graft-buster said its intervention and correspondence with the relevant revenue authorities led to the Sindh Land Utilisation Department taking action.

The department's secretary cancelled the lease through an order issued on August 20, 2026, following which the land was restored to the custody of the Sindh government.

NAB said the land was now free from all kinds of encroachments.

The anti-graft watchdog said it remained committed to protecting public assets and taking action against those involved in their illegal occupation or misuse.