BAHAWALPUR, May 31: The government, through a gazette notification, has announced the award in respect of the distribution of 377,974 acres of land of ‘shikargah’ of the late nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi among his 23 legal heirs having over 70 descendents.

Dawn learnt here on Wednesday that the gazette notification was issued on Tuesday by the SAFRON (States and Frontier Region) ministry, which claimed to have resolved the 40-year-old dispute between the legal heirs of the nawab.

The SAFRON said in accordance with the award, the mutation plan has been conveyed to Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) with an advice to implementation committee chairman Justice Abdul Qadeer Chaudhry (retired) to immediately issue the mutation papers to the respective heirs.

According to award, 13,688 acres land has been placed in the common column while the late nawab’s three wives — Noorjehan, Begum Hajjo Bibi and Wahid Bibi — have been given 11,012 acres each.

The 10 sons of nawab — Abbas, Daud, Saeedur Rashid, Aminur Rashid, Sadiqur Rashid, Mamoonur Rashid, Qasim, Haroonur Rashid and Mubarak — have been given 15,417 acres each. The nawab’s 10 daughters — Sofia, Ruqqia, Ayesha, Khadeja, Siddiqua, Zahra, Rafiqa, Shafiqa, Khalifa and Attiqa — will get 7,708 acres each.

SENTENCE: An anti-corruption court on Wednesday sentenced Rahim Yar Khan ex-food inspector Qazi Farooq to 34 years rigorous imprisonment with Rs13 million fine for embezzlement of wheat during his service between 1986 and 1988.