LAHORE: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) retrieved its agriculture, residential, and commercial land worth Rs22 billion from land grabbers in 2022. On the other hand, Pakistan Railways (PR) also retrieved its land worth Rs10 billion through operations last year, many backed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

“The properties retrieved are valued at Rs22 billion or so,” ETPB Chairman Dr Habibur Rehman Gilani told Dawn on Tuesday.

The major chunks of the retrieved land included 600 acres in Bhakkar district.

A couple of years ago, the apex court, in a case related to a temple in Karak had ordered a forensic audit of the ETPB properties, their possession, leasing, income, losses, etc. The audit highlighted several properties either in illegal possession or their tenants not paying rent for a long time.

Last year, during a court hearing, the ETPB reportedly apprised the court about the non-cooperation of the police in land retrieval and sought the help of other departments. The court directed the FIA to help ETPB in this regard.

“We can say that the year 2022 remained unprecedented in terms of retrieving the state land,” the ETP chairman said, adding that the operations would remain continuous vigorously in the ongoing year too.

Earlier in a meeting, the ETPB administration said the trust board is a trustee of the services of minorities and religious places of worship in Pakistan. It said a digital library and museum are being established in Nankana Sahib to highlight the historical heritage. Steps are being taken to accommodate pilgrims from all over the world, while the birthplace of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Gujranwala is being renovated. Committees have been formed for Vaisakhi Mela arrangements.

On the other hand, the PR registered 3,111 cases against those who violated railways and other laws in 2022. Up to 3,189 accused were also arrested, said a spokesman for the PR Police. Up to 530 cases were registered against railway material thieves, and 950 cases for illegal encroachments on railway land; Up to 990 people were arrested. “Precious railway land measuring 317 acres worth Rs9.988 billion was retrieved from land grabbers. The land includes 168.7 acres (commercial), 129.8 acres (agriculture) and 19.18 acres (residential). Similarly, 296 shops and 107 railway quarters were also vacated from illegal occupants,” the spokesman said, adding that 167 cases were also registered against those selling drugs. In this regard 167 accused were arrested.

In 2022, around 202 judicial and police absconders were arrested. Similarly, 44 cases were registered against those smuggling illegal arms by train. Also, 45 accused were also arrested in this regard.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2023