Former PML-N MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan
After thinking they got off with a slap on the wrist, a number of influential figures including a former ruling party legislator are under the microscope again.
The Supreme Court has indicated that the management of NPF and former legislator of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Anjum Aqeel Khan were involved in illegal plot allotments.
While setting aside “tricky agreements”, the court on Thursday referred the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate further and submit a report within 90 days.
In the judgment of its suo motu case, the court observed, “It is apparent from the record that NPF was established purely for the welfare of police officials, but the officers at the helm of affairs in the foundation allotted land worth billions of rupees at throwaway prices --- for Rs100 only to the ruling elite, including generals, bureaucrats, ambassadors, close relatives of top police officials and well-connected civilians.”
The plunder of a facility created for the welfare of police officials has been going on in sectors E-11 and I-9, which were purchased by the government-controlled NPF at nominal rates. “It has also been established on record that the privileged ones have gobbled everything,” the judgment stated.
“We are of the view that the foundation’s administration violated the purpose of establishing this charitable institution under the garb of generating funds and committed gross illegalities,” and it is “necessary to initiate proceedings against Khan and other responsible persons,” reads the judgment authored by Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry.
Successive managing directors of NPF have allotted plots to police officials not entitled to them and also to certain civilians and military officials who did not fall within the definition of the beneficiaries, it has been alleged.
“The NAB chairman has been directed to promptly initiate proceedings…so it may serve as a deterrent for likeminded people,” stated the judgment.
The court also set aside the controversial out-of-court settlement agreement between Khan and NPF and termed it another example of fraud as there is no mention of a finalisation or completion date.
The court’s judgment further states that the foundation’s board of directors, while establishing the housing scheme, did not fix criterion by making by-laws and conditions for allotment of plots. Instead, they were divided among their near and dear ones.
The court holds that the board, in connivance with the developer --- real estate firm Land Linkers, which Khan owns --- gave a colossal loss to the foundation with mala fide intention, which surfaced in the enquiry report of Zafar Ahmad Qureshi, a former bureaucrat, the judgment held.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2013.
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