KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday arrested a builder and his accomplice, who had allegedly usurped 124 acres of government land, including land belonging to the University of Karachi in Malir and other districts, worth billions of rupees with the connivance of officials concerned, where several housing schemes have been launched.

“NAB Karachi arrested one Javed Iqbal and his accomplice Waseem wanted in an inquiry against Rufi Builders and Developers,” said the spokesperson.

“Accused Javed Iqbal is a builder working under name of Ghani Builders, who is prima facie involved in embezzlement of 19 acres of precious state land situated at Deh Thoming Scheme 33 Malir, by way of managing fictitious entry in revenue record, with the connivance of revenue officials,” added the official.

“Accused Javed Iqbal and Waseem transferred the said land fraudulently to Rufi Builders where an illegal project named ‘Rufi Pearl City’ was launched by Rufi Builders, thus [cheating] public at large.”

The estimated value of the said land was Rs3 billion, revealed the NAB spokesperson.

The builder was also involved in other NAB cases for alleged usurpation of government land in districts East and Malir involving hundreds of acres.

“He executes his offences through modus operandi of getting such illegal lands kept with the titles of his company’s employees like Waseem and later disposes of such properties.”

Iqbal had surrendered to NAB 73 acres of usurped land of Deh Drigh Tappo Drigh, district Korangi in 2015 after “admission” of offence.

In another case he is also facing charges of usurpation of 124 acres of land comprising seven dehs of districts East and Malir, where several “illegal” housing projects have been launched including Fatima Golf Residency.

The NAB official said that the held builder was also involved in misappropriation of land given to the University of Karachi.

The official pointed out that around 30 years ago the Sindh government had allotted the land to KU for residential purpose but the held builder with the connivance of the revenue officials also usurped the said land for housing scheme (Al-Raheem Villas).

“So far, the builder had embezzled around 124 acres of [government] land in Malir and East districts where several housing projects had been launched to cheat the general public,” claimed the NAB official.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2019