22 October 2004	Friday	07 Ramazan 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: The government has been asked to explain the transfer of precious state land costing almost Rs500 billion by CDA to the military authorities at throwaway prices as senior opposition parliamentarians on Thursday moved an adjournment motion questioning the deal.

Opposition MNAs from different parties including Aitzaz Ahsan, Nisar Ali Khan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Khawaja Asif, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Nayyer Bokhari moved the adjournment motion calling upon the presiding officer of the lower house to suspend the normal business to discuss what they said was a matter of urgent public importance.

"Land owned by CDA is public property and its sale on less than market rate is a loss to the people of Pakistan," said the adjournment motion moved by the legislators.

Under the rules of procedure, the National Assembly secretariat would bring the adjournment motion to the notice of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao, Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan so they can present government's version on the issue.

The CDA has already accepted that the land was transferred to GHQ at a price lower than the prevailing market rates.

"The charge of raw land has been settled at rates in line with other government departments and institutions which are much lower than the commercial auction value," CDA admitted while clarifying its position on the issue.

According to CDA, transfer of 870 acres of prime land falling in the area of National Park (zone-III) was in addition to the land allocated for the construction of the new GHQ.

The adjournment motion moved by the MNAs said the valuable property had been given by CDA "for pittance thus incurring a huge loss (more than half of national budget) to national exchequer and the people of Pakistan."

The adjournment motion while quoting a news item said since the land sold to the GHQ fell in the area of the National Park area, it could not be sold or purchased or used for any other construction.

"The enormity of loss, both financial and ecological demands that matter should be immediately taken up by the House by suspending its normal business," said the motion.

The adjournment motion while reminding the government its duty to protect the interests of the people said no organization or entity had the right to buy or sell public property or enter into any deal which could be detrimental to public interest.