LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched a probe into bogus plot files scam in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and sought related record, besides summoning the officers concerned, Dawn has learnt.

Through a letter titled “Provision of Information under section 19 of the NAO-1999-Inquiry against Farhana Mumtaz, Deputy Director (Legal/LDA), Mumtaz Ahmad Shah, Kamran Mumtaz, Ali Mumtaz (officers/officials of LDA and others”, the bureau has informed the

LDA director general about the inquiry against the aforementioned officers under the law.

“During the course of inquiry, files of multiple exempted plots are either found to be fabricated/ bogus or are missing from the LDA record. In this regard a detailed report, including the names, designations and other particulars of the officers who are signatories to the fake/forged and bogus exemption and transfer letters be provided. The files, which have been found to be forged included Johar Town’s Plot No 2-A, R-Block (1-kanal), 155-C, R Block (I-kanal), 571, Q Block (1-kanal), 572-Q Block (1-kanal), 510-H/2 (6 marla), 155-B R Block (23 marla), 1-F, R Block (1 kanal) and I-G R Block (1-kanal),” the letter written by NAB Deputy Director (Coordination) Kaleem Abbas explains.

The information regarding identification of the officers concerned to the aforementioned plots’ files has also been sought.

The letter asks the LDA DG to direct the officers concerned to appear in person, along with the relevant record.

In another letter related to a probe against the aforementioned officers, the bureau has informed the LDA administration that during the course of inquiry, it is found that the decision of bonafide commission regarding plots No 3-A, 3-B and 2-B, R-block (Johar Town), the accused had surrendered these properties to the LDA in 2022. In this regard, the NAB has sought a detailed report from LDA containing the information regarding decision of bonafide commission and documents pertaining to the surrender of these properties.

The bureau has also asked the authorities that after the surrender, whether the LDA took physical possession of these properties or not, seeking a report, if any, of takeover of the properties etc. “As per the LDA, a commercial property (Pool and Park Hotel) existed on the surrendered property. Whether the property with such structure and building can be entered in plot bank or not and further exempted to someone in same physical state? What are the rules in this regard?” reads the letter.

It further seeks provision of merit list for exemption at the time this relief was granted in 2022 along with ownership proof of the exemptee — Ms Irshad Fatima etc in the instant case. It questioned that how the commercial building built on the plots was also exempted without any assessment/auction.

“Please direct the officer concerned to appear in person, along with relevant record, at the NAB office,” the letter desires.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2025