SARGODHA, Dec 12: The EDO (Revenue) had postponed the proposed auction of shops on Fatima Jinnah Road on Saturday last after receiving complaints from some citizens and shopkeepers, it was learnt.

It was alleged that the Sargodha Tehsil Nazim had planned to allot some 11 shops to his cronies at throwaway prices on the former office of superintendent octroi post, Fatima Jinnah Road.

According to the revenue authorities, the land in question is owned by the Punjab government and TMA may use it for utility purposes but cannot auction it without prior permission from the government.

Requesting anonymity, a man of the Tehsil Nazim termed the allegation baseless. He said the allotment was postponed as it was decided to advertise in the national dailies through the Directorate of Public Relations to make this auction transparent. He, however, admitted that the value of Fatima Jinnah shops that were to be auctioned was not less than Rs10 million.