LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Saturday launched an operation in Johar Town to retrieve its plots from land grabbers / illegal occupants.

The operation was launched following media reports mentioning a number of LDA plots worth billions occupied illegally by the land mafia.

During the operation, led by LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, a directorate of housing (VII) team comprising Moazzam Rasheed (director) and others took over possession of 25 plots (nine of one-kanal and 16 of 12-marla) worth Rs600 million after demolishing structures and boundary walls, removing shanties and other kinds of encroachments meant for holding illegal possession by the land mafia in C, C-I, D and D-II blocks of Johar town.

The retrieved properties included plots number 35, 105 to 110, 51, 52, 42, 43, 44, 44-A, 44-B and 47.

“The directorates concerned must ensure safeguarding precious properties owned by LDA,” the DG directed the officers while supervising the operation.

He ordered to cover the retrieved properties with fencing or boundary walls besides placing boards mentioning LDA ownership. He said the operation must be continued till the retrieval of all plots from the land mafia.

It is worth mentioning that a number of plots worth billions have been occupied by the land grabbers allegedly in connivance with the respective LDA officers.

According to a survey report, the plots have been occupied illegally by the land mafia in A, A-1 B, B1, B-II, B-III, C, C-I, C-II, D, D-I, D-II, E, E-1, E-II, F, F-I, F-II, Finance & Trade Centre (FTC), civic centre, G, G-1, G-II, G-III, G-IV, H, H-I, H-II, H-III, J, J-I, J-II, J-III, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, R-I, R-II and R-III blocks.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2024