ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday summoned nine individuals, including former senior officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and members of the Pir of Golra Sharif’s family, over their alleged involvement in a land fraud involving illegal allotment and sale of government land in Sector E-11.

The reference, spanning 1,100 pages, alleged that the accused caused a loss of approximately Rs29.412 billion to the national exchequer through manipulation of compensation claims, unlawful retention of land, and fraudulent transfers. The case is set for preliminary hearing on May 20, 2025, before Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar, who issued summons to all the accused.

The case dates back to February 7, 1990, when the CDA allotted 373 kanal and 18 marla in Sector E-11 to Pir Shah Abdul Haq, custodian of the Golra Sharif shrine, in lieu of 314 kanal acquired by the government for the development of F-11, F-12, and E-12 sectors.

Subsequently, family members of the shrine custodian approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), claiming that around 72 kanal of the allotted land was unusable due to the presence of a graveyard, roads, and built-up areas. Based on the recommendation of a two-member commission appointed by the LHC, the CDA allotted alternative land to compensate for the unusable portion.

However, NAB stated that in 2002, the same “unusable” land — specifically over 21 kanal — was sold to the National Police Foundation (NPF) by the family. This allegedly fraudulent transaction formed the basis for subsequent illegal compensation and land retention.

Former CDA director land Shaista Sohail, former CDA director Khalid Mehmood Mirza, former CDA assistant director Raja Zahid Hussain, and patwari Amjad Aziz are also named in the reference by the accountability watchdog, besides a number of the family members of the Pir of Golra.

The reference accused these individuals of colluding to fabricate possession reports, manipulate land records, and facilitate unauthorised land exchanges. The illegal retention of an additional 27 kanal and 11 marla of land post-2002 alone was estimated to account for billions in state losses.

NAB noted that Syed Ghulam Hassamuddin and three private female beneficiaries from the Pir of Golra’s family submitted a joint plea bargain application under Section 25(b) of NAO, 1999, signifying an admission of guilt.

The watchdog further revealed that investigations were ongoing into the roles of other private individuals, including Waqar Ahmad Paracha and Salman Ali, with NAB reserving the right to expand the case. The reference cites Sections 9(a)(iii), (iv), and (vii) of the NAO, dealing with corruption, misuse of authority, and fraudulent transactions. It is supported by testimonies from 29 witnesses, including CDA and Survey of Pakistan officials, and a 2024 forensic land survey confirming the illegal occupation.

The evidence brought before the accountability court included land records and transfer letters, court orders and possession reports, fabricated revenue documents, and the Survey of Pakistan’s forensic report. The NAB has requested that all accused be formally tried and punished for their roles in what it terms a sophisticated and deliberate act of land fraud and corruption.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025