LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to initiate legal proceedings against Dr Tahirul Qadri for using defamatory language against it.

Rebutting allegations levelled by Dr Qadri against the LDA regarding alleged corruption of Rs3.5 billion during acquisition of land for construction of Azadi Chowk Remodelling Project, an LDA spokesman has clarified that Rs3.98 billion had been spent on execution of this project. This amount also included Rs842 million allocated for acquisition of land.

A total of 29 kanal 6 marla 102 square feet land of 222 domestic and commercial units, situated in Mouza Lahore Khas, Sheesh Mahal and Chak Jiya Mosa had been acquired for this project. The affected people had been paid compensation up to a maximum of Rs1.236 million per marla, he said.

A copy of the award announced by the Land Acquisition Collector for compensating the landowners was available with the LDA and could be seen any time. Baseless charges with mala fide intention were a conspiracy for misleading the people which was condemnable, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2014