SANGHAR: Thousands of acres agricultural land granted to landless peasants in 2004 in Sanghar district was cancelled and reverted to government on Friday.

Shaheed Benazirabad (revenue) additional commissioner Yousuf Abbasi took action over the land grant allowed by then executive district officer (EDO) of revenue in the wake of inquiries by National Accountability Bureau and complaints to ombudsman.

In his order, the additional commissioner observed that the land had been given by the EDO against the land grant policy.

The officer conducted hearing over the matter after issuing show-cause notices to the grantees and inviting their objections if they had any but he revoked the grant without hearing their arguments through a large number had filed objections.

The land was granted in 26 dehs in Sanghar taulka. Most of the peasants had paid government’s dues after which they were issued allotment orders, Qabooliat, form A and form VII-B by the revenue department.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2019