Pakistan

Jahangir Siddiqui’s name in FIR for land grabbing

Sindh revenue department takes sweeping action on encroached land.

Imran Hafeez December 08, 2010

KARACHI:

The Sindh revenue department has registered a case against prominent businessman Jahangir Siddiqui for allegedly illegally occupying a 1,000 square yard plot in Clifton.

Revenue official Mustafa Jamal Qazi and anti-corruption director Ghanwar Ali Leghari held a press conference Tuesday detailing sweeping action taken against land grabbers from whom 2,200 acres had been wrested.

According to Qazi, the Clifton plot was in the name of some other person and Siddiqui had used fake documents. “The FIR has been registered,” he said. “We are taking action against the big fish.” Two acres were also freed from Jahangir Siddiqui’s brother Zahid and a case was registered. “We are making a strong case against the arrested culprits but they were released on bail,” Qazi said.

One Ali Hassan Brohi was arrested for illegally holding lands in the airport and Gadap areas. Land marked for Education City is also being emptied as are farmhouses illegally built on poultry farms. “We are not afraid of the flags of political parties,” said Qazi.

The department is also inspecting highrise buildings and how plots reserved for welfare have been taken over. Leghari said that 511 cases have been completed and 26 people have been arrested.

He also said that the families of those people who have been killed in terrorist incidents in Wana, Waziristan, Swat and other parts of the countries will be given plots in Karachi and 500 acres have been allocated. The victims’ families are applying.

The EDO said that they are making an effort to computerise land records and scan original documents. The land recovered from the possession of encroachers would be distributed among the heirs of armed forces personnel and civilians from all over Pakistan who have lost their lives in the fight against terrorism. A revenue judicial tribunal has also been set up to deal with land cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (28)

Naushad Shafkat | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with Mr. Frank Rogers. This is too small for a person like Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui and just does not make any sense. Mr. Siddiqui must have gifted several plots of 1000 yards or its worth in money terms to his trusted employees. There is more to it than meets the eye.

shama farid | 13 years ago | Reply shame on people who has made this scandle i agree with shamshad nawaz that next step will be that he steals farm animals,does not pay salary to his servent,or his electricity bills etc there is no end to it.js we pray for you be strong and face this corrupt government..and please always keep helping poor people as you alwas do we are with you

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imtiaz | 13 years ago | Reply JS we are proud of you God bless you

Frank Rogers | 13 years ago | Reply See the other side of the story. http://tribune.com.pk/story/88755/jahangir-siddiqui-case-politically-motivated-harassment-alleged/ "Allegations of illegal land occupation against Jahangir Siddiqui and his family are politically motivated" I am glad JS has released a statement.

shamshad nawaz | 13 years ago | Reply This is a sad attempt and degrading a good honest man. No doubt this will be the first of the governments many efforts to malign his reputation. Soon we will hear that other than pinching 1000 square yard plots, he also steals farm animals, motorbikes and doesnt pay his phone bills. Or maybe the government and its cronies will get more creative and insist that he is involved with bigger more sophisticated scandals. Either way it is an impossibility that a man that commits so much of his and his familiy's time, efforts and resources to doing good, would spent the rest of his time breaking laws. JS is a God fearing and decent human being. In whatever capacity I can, I will support his cause from abroad and speak out against this gvernment and its henchmen. Thank you, JS, for being such a strong contributor to Pakistan, particularly this past year during the foods. I am embarassed to be a citizen of a country that treats heroes such as yourself so poorly. Allah sits above all, and inshally justice will prevail.

fadoo | 13 years ago | Reply by the way this goverment has gone to dogs you can expect any thing from them .To charge js 1000 yard scam is ridiculous,js is giviging donations worth millions ihope js will take them to court

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply As long as this government is around we should expect anything which we can not even dream of. Don't forget that Money Changer Kali & Khannian issue, what happened to him ? he used to enjoy the same credibility as JS but this govt is capable of doing anything and everything to give Pakistan a dent. One should ask them first ? What stakes they have in this country to protect "ZERO", so they have no concern at all to protect our interest. May ALLAH protect us.

kiki | 13 years ago | Reply this is very sad leveling such cheap allegation for a person who has done so much for poor people.i wish you could see the work they have done during floods in sewan and other part of pakistan 'amount of money he gives to hospitals;schools.so much chrity work they have done,iwonder why he will grab 1000 sq yard plot,by the way ZAHID SIDDIQUI is not his brother.goverment loosing his own reputation by doing such press confrence

M.K.Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Further to my earlier comments, look at the comments of most of the people, what they have said about Jahangir Siddiqui and their comments about the step taken by Goverment. I know the magnitude of philanthropist work done by Jahangir Siddiqui and his son Ali Jahangir Siddiqui. Recently during the devastating floods. Ali, billioair, himself did ground work, established number of relief camps, provided three time food and medicine to thousands of people and put time and efforts spread on months. International donors including the multinational companies like Mitsubishi Corporation trusted them and donated good amounts for relief activities. As mentioned in one of the mail, it is hard fact that State Secretary of USA granted Fifty Millions Dollar to one of JS Group Company. Look at the trust and we are maligning the honest person for the sake of 1000 yard plot. Ridicoulous. Dovernment should think again what are the repercussions of his step. If they have dispute, they should file a petition in the court and let the court to decide.

Alam Farooq | 13 years ago | Reply I second Pervaiz and Ali. Express tribune editor please do some investigative journalism and unearth the true story behind it. There has to be a second part to this story.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply I second Pervaiz. About time Tribune comes up with other side of the story as well. Did the publication tried obtaining version of JS?

Pervaiz M. Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Jahangir Siddiqui is a philanthropist, he runs a multi-national conglomerate which is partnered with international governments such as IFC, IMF, EFU, Hillary Clinton just granted 50 million dollars to one of his numerous companies. This is not the result of 'dubious' behaviour, this is not a family-run-seth-type towelling factory. Its the largest conglomerate in our country and you don't get to sit across people like Hillary and various governments by behaving like a cheapskate. Unfortunately, our politicians do behave like cheapskates and its their nature to treat each of their citizens accordingly. No one sits on a throne or lives forever. This incident is one example for everyone to see how stupid, unsophisticated and low-level our politicians are. To charge JS with a 1000sq yard plot scam, when the man donates millions away on charitable projects every year. Its absurd. Three days ago, jahangir Siddiqui Co.Ltd was recognized for being the 2nd highest donors to charity in our country by the Pakistan Philanthropy Association. This article is a waste of space in this newspaper. Dear Express Tribune, as an upcoming media group, your job is two-fold, to report incidents that are true and factual (as you think you have done here), and secondly, to conduct "investigative journalism" (and I'll explain what that is since clearly you've forgotten) to uncover and learn what a true story is and also print that after causing a stir. I don't see the seond part being carried out very often. And it is your responsibility. This is my opinion.

imtiaz | 13 years ago | Reply JS i know Well it is sad to read such absurd and baseless alligations against successful personalities like JS. JS has not only provided jobs to thousands of fellow pakistanis like me those who are proud family members of JS group he has taught them humility, respect , honesty and submission to God We have seen JS working endless hours for the betterment of not only JS family but also for the needy and deprived from the far flung areas specially recently effected by davestating floods. I request all the readers to pray for the forgivness of officials from revenue department and anti corruption department..............):

The invisible | 13 years ago | Reply Anyone knowing Pakistani corporate world well would know that none of the leading groups have reached their current positions without using dubious means. If action needs to be taken, then it must taken against all the business groups. I find little credibility to this news. The case is very weak from the start. The plot is not even in the name of Jahangir Siddiqui. This is another case of government blackmailing top businessmen for bhatta. The politically motivated witchhunting is the reason businessmen in general are not willing to investi in Pakistan and disclose their assets or pay taxes due to which wealth is generally sitting in foreign currency accounts or benami properties. BTw who is investigating the sugar scam??

Umair Rizvi | 13 years ago | Reply Zardari leave businessman alone please.

Jahanzeb | 13 years ago | Reply This is a joke. JS can afford thousands of plots. Why would he be a land grabber after building such a great company. The plot size that he is being accused of is miniscule compared to his resources and not worth risking reputation for. Clearly his fame and success has upset the powers that be..... shame that good people get treated this way. Good luck JS.

M.K Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Fail to understand why Jahangir Siddiqui will put his good name at stake for such petty plot. What is the worth of plot ? insignificant to the stature of Jahangir Siddiqui. He is one of the leading business tycon and known for his honesty and integrity. It is not land grabbing but there is something differrant behind the scene. Honest people are being harrassed for some vested interests.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply This seems like classic case of government trying to malign a top businessman. Has Sindh Revenue department ever done a press conference like this one to announce named in cases? Jehangir Siddiqui occupying a plot of 1000 sq yards?? And they think people will believe that? I am sure there is more to this story.

Frank Rogers | 13 years ago | Reply @Danish, Frankly, I am not aware of his stock market practices as you suggested, and if it is true than the government should go after that... I judge JS character by the philanthropic work he has done in Pakistan. Ironically, government of Pakistan issued him highest philanthropic donor award only a few days ago. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C07%5Cstory7-12-2010pg5_12. The issue here is not that he is a saint but to think that JS would go for a mere 1000 sq yds is absurd. Even if there is any truth to this, the way to solving this is for government to file a land case with the court and resolve it. This government has made a criminal case againt him and his wife and have issued an statement that they are "land grabbers". I am speechless To my knowledge, JS has brought more foreign investors to invest in Private sector in Pakistan than any other organization. This action of goverment is sending such a wrong message to foreigners/investors abroad that this country does not care about economic growth and the goverment is more worried about domestic petty things. I truly hope this government wakes up and realizes that these knee jerk decisions can have massive long-term impact to this country.

Danish | 13 years ago | Reply @Frank: How can you judge that JS is a gentle and fair in nature? Right hand of his group is well known for his gambling character in the stock market..

Mastuj | 13 years ago | Reply This is utter BS!!! Why would Jahangir Siddiqui need to land grab?? It is about time the masses go and "grab" Zardari by his hair and drag him on the streets for these personal vendettas. The man is an utter disgrace.

basit | 13 years ago | Reply dear guys it seems that zardari is after JS n wanted to ruin JS but however of jahangir siddiqui is envolved in this land grabbing he must face the music

Ivan | 13 years ago | Reply What a scam in itself. I know at least one area where land grabbers have occupied properties and are building even though its illegal...........there must be more to this story.......Could the reporter dig deeper into why suddenly they are taking action???? I'm sceptical

Frank Rogers | 13 years ago | Reply A case of a 1000 sq yds. against Pakistan's most prominent businessman, i don't get it. Jahangir Siddiqui (JS) is know for his honesty and employing thousands. I am sure JS is a billionare; I don't see any logic to this case, unless Zardari goverment has a person grudge against him. People like Jahangir Siddiqui are a national asset to Pakistan it is extremely sad to see goverment is taking such drastric messures for such petty issues. Penny wise pound folish.

Agha Fahad Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @ Danish, they are more needy than other part of the country, i have been living in Karachi for decades but support Qazi's decision, please assess on humanitarian grounds please...

waseem | 13 years ago | Reply I Agree with you Danish.. Dear Tahir we have to resist this and raise our voices on this channelized and legal land grabbing. This is sheer waste of money and such idea should not be implemented. Revenue department should not work on such kind of schemes which only increase chances of becoming a new land grabbing scam.

Tahir | 13 years ago | Reply Yes Danish, this is how it works!

Danish | 13 years ago | Reply Another scam in the making.......... why plots in karachi for people living in Swat and Waziristan? Why not somewhere closer to their native villages? Looks like someone else will benefit in the name of these poor people who will not even know that plots are being alloted for them in Karachi!!!!!!!!!

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