Taking note of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) seeking the federal government's help to sell the land that is currently under control of the Sindh government, chief minister Murad Ali Shah said on Tuesday that his government will not back off from its claim over the land.

The land that the PSM is trying to sell belongs to Sindh government, Shah said, asking the chief secretary to contact the federation and prevent the sale.

He also threatened to take things to the court if the matter is not resolved.

PSM, shut down around 28 months ago, had sought the federal government's help to recover more than 1,800 acres of land from the Sindh government and private parties.

A recent report submitted to the federation by PSM CEO Arif Shaikh said that 1,377-6 acres under PSM Township paid/mutated land was forcibly resumed by the Sindh government in 2006 for establishment of educational institutions under the Higher Education Commission.

The centre wants the PSM to transfer its land to the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited under a “Liability Settlement Plan” since the PSM owes billions to the two entities.

The PSM Stakeholders Group , comprising its employees, pensioners, suppliers, dealers and contractors, has put up a Rs65 billion claim against the country’s largest industrial complex and warned the federal government against selling pricey land at throwaway prices.

The PPP has also opposed the move in the Senate.