QUETTA: Balochistan interim Finance and Revenue Minister Amjad Rasheed on Monday announced a crackdown on the land mafia across the province to reclaim government and private land.

Speaking at a joint press conference along with Information Minister Jan Achakzai, he said all those involved in land grabbing would face strict legal action.

The complaints centres have been set up in the Board of Revenue, as well as commissioners offices of in all eight administrative divisions and 35 deputy commissioners officer, the revenue minister announced.

The minister said the government would also not allow commercial use of the land marked for residential purposes.

Mr Achakzai said: “There are reports about illegal land and building possession by the land grabbers who had also deployed armed people for ensuring their control over private and government lands and building.”

It was noted that residential land was being used for commercial purposes while forest land had also been illegally occupied.

“The authorities will collect data of all such lands within seven days after which legal action will be launched,” Mr Achakzai said.

Mr Rasheed said the CM has ordered to compensate all those who were deprived of their lands and buildings by the influential people.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2023