SAHIWAL: A dispute over 13-marla piece of land between a private hospital’s owners and the principal of the Government Faridiya College (GFC), Pakpattan, was settled for the time being after the both sides signed an agreement here on Thursday.

Dr Ihsan and Izharul Hasan - owners of Ghulam Muhammad Memorial Hospital - were in litigation over the land with the management of GFC and around a week ago revenue assistant commissioner decided the case in favour of the former.

As per the college management, Dr Ihsan’s men demolished a wall and tried to occupy the land following the AC’s verdict. Reacting to it the college students staged violent protest, pelting the hospital building with stones.

Local chapters of Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) and the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) also got involved in the dispute, besides the local politicians and other influential people.

However, on Thursday an agreement was signed between the stakeholders and the ‘moderators’ including representatives of the PPLA and PMA, revenue department, police and others to settle the dispute for the time being.

It is learnt that both parties decided to withdraw their respective applications submitted to city police station by Friday (today).

The final agreement was signed by a 10-member reconciliation committee after a five-hour meeting held at the district bar association’s bar room.

Colleges Director Rana Abdul Shakoor told Dawn on phone that all stakeholders, including a private hospital owner Dr Ihasanul Haq,

GFC Principal Dr Masood Sharif, city police station SHO, representatives of local chapters of PPLA and the PMA, local revenue department and civil society signed the agreement.

According to sources, Pakpattan DBA president Rao Muhammad Akram, convinced the both sides to reach an agreement.

Rao Akram said the agreement was signed by the both sides in “larger public interest”.

As per the agreement, the college boundary wall would be reconstructed at its previous location and construction expenses would be borne by Dr Haq.

It states that a decision about the disputed peace of land under Kahsra No 1864/4/1 will be made by the revenue department or court.

Pakpattan additional deputy commissioner (revenue) had earlier cancelled a notification issued by assistant commissioner (AC) concerned on Nov 4, stating that the AC had no authority to decide the status of the disputed land.

It is also decided that till the final decision the land will remain with the college.

It is learnt that a delegation comprising local intelligence officials, politicians, professional organisations representatives, traders, media persons and businessmen met with GFC, Pakpattan principal and owners of the private hospital to convince them to settle the issue.

The initiative was led by Pakpattan DBA president Rao Muhammad Akram. A 10-member reconciliation committee was also formed to negotiate with the PPLA and the PMA.

The agreement was signed by Rana Shakoor, Sherbaz Khan, Amir Hamza Virk, Jawad Bokhari, Dr Miraj Muhammad, Dr Ihsan, Dr Asif, Dr Niaz, Mian Ali Imran Hotiyana and Tariq Qauum Khagga.

Following the agreement, academic activities resumed at the college and police were also been withdrawn from the college gate.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2019