ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday seized the record of 22 plots allotted in a dubious manner, as the chairman of the civic agency ordered an inquiry.

Following a report based on an audit report 2023-24, which was published in this newspaper, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa ordered the special inquiry which will be completed in three days.

“An inquiry committee has been constituted to probe the matter, with the task to submit its findings within three days. Following the submission of the inquiry report, the case will be referred for criminal action against those who found involved in the irregularities,” said a press release issued by the CDA.

It said: “The chairman has called for immediate action against those who are involved in the irregularities. All relevant records have been seized and taken into the custody to facilitate a thorough investigation. A special inquiry has been constituted to probe the matter, with the task to submit its findings within three days.”

The CDA chief reiterated his commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in all matters. He expressed his resolve to get the matter investigated and restore the public trust and confidence in CDA’s operations.

The audit report had stated that a person with his new name and father’s name got 22 plots allotted against his name from the CDA. He got the plots against his 84 kanals acquired by the CDA in D-13. The audit report did not mention the date of allotments, however, it pointed out that the CDA had allotted plots on the basis of a district court order issued in 2016. The audit pointed out this last year.

The audit para, ‘Doubtful allotment of 22 residential plots’ stated that according to CDA Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Regulation 2007, land will be acquired on land-sharing basis, meaning a developed plot of one kanal will be allotted to the affectee/landowner for every four kanals acquired from him in the same sector.

It added that as per the land revenue/patwari report and Fard maintained through Naqsha-II, 88 kanal and six marla land was the property of Mohammad Akthar Tahir s/o Mohammad Ashraf Tahir. The owner submitted a request to the CDA that he changed his name from M. Akthar Tahir s/o Mohammad Ashraf Tahir to Mohammad Azhar s/o Mirza Mohammad Ali in the CNIC from Nadra.

He requested that the allotment of 22 plots against 88 kanals and six marlas be made against his and his father’s new names.

The authority accepted the request and allotted 22 plots in D-13. The audit observed that allotment of 22 plots was made simply on the basis of the CNIC without corresponding the change to the revenue record (land award, Naqsha-II, Qabzul wasool and Farad) and without verification/confirmation from educational degrees, certificates, nikahnama and police report. The audit report said apparently this was a doubtful allotment on the basis of an unauthentic title.

In the land revenue record, ownership of the land still existed in the name of Mohammad Akthar Tahir s/o Mohammad Ashraf Tahir. This resulted in the doubtful allotment of 22 residential plots without detailed verification and fact-finding inquiry for real owner amounting to Rs440 million. (22 plots @ Rs20.00 million each).

The audit pointed out doubtful allotment in June 2023. According to the audit report, the CDA replied that a civil judge Lahore vide order dated 30.06.2016 had directed Nadra to cancel the CNIC issued in the name of Mohammad Akhtar Tahir. Hence, the deputy commissioner CDA took all due measures while changing the name in the revenue record.

The report said the reply was not accepted because complete case along with the judgement of the judge, proceedings/details of name change in DC CDA record in favour of allottee in question were not produced in support of the reply. The audit report said that a Departmental Audit Committee meeting was not convened by the principal accounting officer despite repeated requests made by the auditors. The audit report recommended provision of complete case along with the court judgement and proceedings/details of the name change in the DC CDA record.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024