ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) allotted over 300 plots to the ‘affected people’ of two sectors, allegedly ignoring genuine locals and favouring irrelevant individuals.

According a CDA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the civic agency held balloting for 330 plots in I-11 and I-12 during which a number of non-deserving people were given plots in I-11.

The CDA was supposed to give preference to the inhabitants of four villages (mozas) acquired for sectors but it accommodated people from other mozas as well in I-11.

“Today, I received some complaints about corruption committed during the placing of files for balloting. I have decided to check the entire record on Monday. I will see why locals of other villages were given plots in Sector I-11 where according to the package deal preference should have been given to the affected people of four mozas,” said Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz, who is also the acting chairman of the CDA.

It may be noted that amid reports of corruption in the land directorate, CADD and the mayor last year had to impose a ban on the allotment of plots to the affected people.

Recently, the mayor introduced a new standard operating procedure (SOP) and reopened the process. But it seemed the new SOP also did not work to stop irregularities. The directorate is headed by Irfanullah Khan, an officer of the Foreign Service of Pakistan, who works in the CDA on deputation. Before joining the CDA, he served as the staff officer to CADD minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. He is being assisted by another officer on deputation, Rana Farhan, of the Information Service Group.

Sources in the CDA told Dawn that people of Bokra, Badana, Sangjani and Seran villages, whose land had been acquired for the sectors, were entitled to get alternative plots in the developed sector of I-11 under the package deal with the CDA. However, the CDA officials systematically dropped the cases of a large number of the affected people from the four mozas.

An official claimed that the process of balloting was held in a transparent manner but only those cases were taken up against whom the CDA officials had allegedly received bribe.

An official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that some people, especially property dealers from other villages, used their contacts in the civic agency to include their names in the balloting for 1-12. He said the FIA should investigate the matter to unearth the scam.

The property dealers purchased files of non-package deal areas against nominal prices and got the plots allotted in their names in the 1-11 sector.

The balloting was held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Thursday evening in the presence of a large number of people, a majority of whom were property dealers. It was the second balloting within a week to rehabilitate and accommodate the affected people.

Some participants accused the land directorate of accommodating property dealers and other individuals in the balloting.

Raja Khawar from Sangjani objected over the allotment of 25x50 plots to him and other people from his area. He asked the CDA officials to stop the process, adding they were legally deserved to get 30x60 plots. The CDA officials requested them not to create hurdles in the balloting process and promised to rectify the anomaly.

The balloting/allotment committee was supervised by Member Estate Khushal Khan.

According to a press release issued on Friday, Director Land Irfanullah Khan Marwat said the allotment of plots to the affected people would continue on every Friday. He said those whose claims had not been cleared would be included in the next balloting.

Member Estate Khushal Khan said though plots were available in I-12, a new sector at a prime location would also be opened for the other affected people.

When contacted, CDA spokesman Mazhar Hussain said the balloting was conducted in a transparent manner. “Apparently, there is no clue of corruption but the authority will take action if there is any evidence,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2017