Accused summoned in govt land grabbing case

A special judge of the provincial anti-corruption court has summoned the accused, witnesses and investigation officer in a reference concerning the alleged illegal occupation of 217 acres of government land worth more than Rs1.3 billion in the name of the State Bank Cooperative Housing Society.

The court took up the case after anti-corruption authorities submitted an investigative charge sheet detailing alleged financial corruption, illegal occupation and attempted sale of government land, falsification of records, abuse of authority and losses to the national exchequer.

Twenty-four people, including revenue officials, representatives of the cooperative society and the Sindh government, State Bank officials and private individuals, have been named as accused. According to the investigation officer's report, the society allegedly used the State Bank's name without its permission or a no-objection certificate (NOC).

The charge sheet also alleges the illegal occupation of 186 acres of government land in Malir district and an attempt to sell more than 31 acres of state land in west district.