How to kick out Qabza groups

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Land mafias are active in the city and several encroachers and ‘qabza groups’ have taken illegal possession of plots located near major commercial areas.

A recent example involves a 38.5 marla plot owned by Rukhsana Cheema, wife of Roshan Din, residing in Kazikstan with her family. Cheema purchased the plot near a by pass in Rahim Yar Khan in 2004.

“I was abroad with my family and have settled abroad but I recently came to know about encroachments on my land,” she said. After getting possession of the land, Rukhsana had a room constructed on the plot with an attached bath and boundary wall.

After a few years, three people Abbas Cheema, Sajid Ali Cheema and Tariq Cheema, illegally took possession of the plot. Despite approaching concerned authorities over the issue, Rukhsana Cheema has been unable to retrieve the plot from their possession. “They have threatened me with dire consequences if I do not drop the matter and let them continue living on my land,” Rukhsana said, adding that she had taken the matter to the authorities.

Rukhsana registered a case in the local police station but the land grabbers received a pre-arrest bail from the court and kept possession of the said plot. Police officials have said that they are looking into the matter and examining documents of the plot to ascertain its ownership.

“We are working to remove encroachments spread across the district but this does not happen in a day. Property disputes linger on for years and we cannot expect this case to be solved at a moment’s notice,’ SHO Rashid Jameel said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2010.