KOHAT, Aug 27: Controversy has surrounded a government housing scheme in Jarma area as Banoori family claims it owns the land.

Colonel (r) Asif Banoori told Dawn on Monday that his family was the legal owner of the land allotted by the chief minister for the scheme. He said the Peshawar High Court declared of late that the land in question belonged to his family, and therefore, the government should undo its allotment.

The Banoori family’s representative warned provincial housing minister Amjad Afridi of legal action over his claim that the said land belonged to the government.

He said the British government had allotted 35,000 kanals of land in Jarma area to Banoori family in mid 1800s in recognition of its loyalty to it. Mr Banoori said major part of his family’s land was occupied by many, who built houses there.—Correspondent