ISLAMABAD: The long-standing issue of Okara Military Farms is likely to be resolved soon as the Pakistan Army and the Punjab government have agreed to proposals by the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and the tenants of the farms have two weeks to reach a consensus at their end.

“It has been principally decided that criminal cases registered against the tenants will be withdrawn. Batai (share from crop), which existed prior to the year 2000, will be restored and tenants would start giving 50 per cent of their production to the army or the government. Tenants would not get ownership rights, but no one will harass them in future and they will not be dislocated,” said NCHR chairman retired Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan while talking to Dawn.

He said that during a hearing held on Monday, the army acknowledged that the land belonged to the Punjab government, but claimed that it (army) was in control of it to produce fodder for its cattle and horses.

“However, the army has claimed that it used to pay rent of the land to the Punjab government and would continue paying if tenants start giving Batai, which is 50pc of their production. Moreover, Batai of last 18 years will be waived,” Mr Chowhan said.

According to a statement issued by the NCHR on Monday, the NCHR chairman along with member Chaudhry Mohammad Shafique and ex-officio member Khawar Mumtaz heard the case at the NCHR headquarters in Islamabad.

The tenants of Okara Farms, Awami Worker Party representatives, Punjab government officials and a Pakistan Army officer were present during the hearing.

The tenants were represented by former senator Farhatullah Babar and Human Rights Activist Tahira Abdullah.

Mr Babar informed the NCHR that the issue had also been taken up by the Senate and a sub-committee had been formed under the chairmanship of former senator Khalid Ranjha. He said a report was submitted to the house which was endorsed by it. But unfortunately recommendations of the sub-committee were not implemented, he added.

He said the delay in resolution of this important issue had raised serious questions on the rule of law situation in the country and credibility of the government. He said the commission had looked very objectively and its interim report had already highlighted the important aspects of the issue under consideration. Had the government implemented earlier recommendations of the commission, a logical end to the long-lasting dispute could have been found by now, he added.

Commandant of the Okara Military Farms Brigadier Rana Faheem stated that nobody wanted to evict any tenant and that the army was ready to extend full cooperation to those who abide by the law. He said he had already accepted the NCHR proposal to settle the issue.

He said that there was no contradiction regarding the ownership of the land as the army had officially accepted that the land belonged to the Punjab government and it was handed over to the federal government after procedural formalities. Therefore, he added, it was wrong to say that the army had any interest in its ownership.

The NCHR chairman forwarded a proposal for the amicable solution, stating that the payment of Batai by the tenants should be without prejudice to their claim for ownership.

The tenants sought adjournment of the hearing for reaching a consensus to their end and the matter would be taken up again on Jan 17.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2019