LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has written to the interior ministry for placing the owners and co-owners of the Eden Housing group on the exit control list (ECL).

“NAB has black-listed owner of the Eden group Dr Amjad’s passport and process is underway to do the same with other co-owners,” an official said, adding the bureau had also written to the interior ministry to place the owners and co-owners on the ECL.

“NAB is still awaiting a response (from the ministry) in this regard,” he said.

The NAB Lahore has initiated action against Eden owners on more than 2,000 complaints that despite receiving full payment from the clients, the group failed to hand them over their plots/houses. NAB subsequently seized the Eden group property in Lahore and elsewhere.

According to NAB Lahore Director General Shehzad Saleem, thousands of affectees were deprived of their hard earned money by the Eden housing group. “We have so far received a large number of complaints against it. Merit will be pursued in the matter as criminal proceedings against the Eden administration has been initiated. Steps to freeze all properties and bank accounts, owned by the group have been taken. Besides, NAB has directed the excise department Lahore for blocking transfer and sale of vehicles registered in the name of the Eden administration,” he said.

He said the NAB Lahore was working to form a committee consisting of officials from the Lahore Development Authority, Eden administration, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan officials, Eden affectees representative and NAB Lahore’s investigation officials. “The team will work out a sustainable resolution,” he added.

People can lodge their complaints against Eden housing projects on www.nab.gov.pk.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2018