KARACHI: An investigation carried out by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under the Supreme Court order against Bahria Town Karachi and government officials revealed that thousands of acres of land were usurped with the help of the officials concerned, causing huge losses to the national exchequer.

The investigation team informed a board meeting chaired by Director General of NAB Karachi Mohammad Altaf Bawany on Wednesday that it had completed the probe and a case was made out on the basis of irrefutable evidence which established that the management of Bahria Town with the connivance of relevant public office holders and officials of the revenue department, Malir district, the Malir Development Authority and the Sindh Building Control Authority had taken illegal possession of thousands of acres of valuable government land situated on the main Super Highway (M9) in violation of Colonisation of Government Land Act 1912, MDA Act 1993 and Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979.

The board meeting was held to review progress in investigation into the matter as per directives of NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal to expedite the cases taken up by the Supreme Court. The meeting was also informed that a concise statement highlighting facts regarding blatant violation of laws and rules had been submitted to the apex court.

The review board praised the investigation team for concluding the case by engaging Survey of Pakistan, the Ministry of Defence, for demarcation of the land under illegal possession of Bahria Town which established that it was in possession of 12,156 acres of land, after which the real estate had been restrained by Supreme Court from undertaking further development on the land.

The NAB Karachi chief directed the investigation team to engage with the legal team for finalising queries, if any, so that the deadline given by the apex court could be met well in time.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2018