LAHORE: The Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) claims that it has acquired all 130 acres needed for the development of PU Town-III (now Jamia Town).
On the other hand, the Punjab University says it has nothing to do with the affairs of the housing project.
“All PU employees have been informed vide letter no D/097/R dated 08-03-2021 that any requests/documents related to those towns will not be entertained by the VC,” a spokesman for the university said on Saturday.
In response to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigation into alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities in the project, the PUASA said it had launched the PU Town-III (now Jamia Town) in 2016 to cater to the housing needs of the PU community by providing it land at subsidised rates.
“The PUASA had struggled for housing projects for the PU community as Mustafa Town, Punjab University Employees Housing Society Town-1 and Town-II are its landmark projects. The major difference between the first two projects and this one is that it (the latest project) had no involvement of public exchequer at all and it is based on self-help of the members only,” it said.
University dissociates itself from the project
The association added the project was planned to be completed in five years but it could not be done.
“The land required for this project is 100 per cent purchased as per needs of its membership. The project is lawfully submitted to the Lahore Development Authority and subsequently No Objection Certificates from Irrigation, Private Housing Societies (PHS) with LDA, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and Land Revenue (District officer Revenue) have been issued in favour of land mutated regarding Jamia Town in LDA (sic),” PUASA said and added that due to personal disagreements between the partners of the ex-firm contracted for development of the Jamia Town and subsequent dissolution of the firm, the management committee of the project cancelled the old agreement.
“The new contract has been awarded to the new company. One amongst the two previous partners (now dissolved partnership) is filing applications with different offices like NAB, LDA and others,” it claimed.
The PUASA said the management committee was in touch with the LDA to fulfill the requirements as per law and soon after settlement of the cases in the courts of law and issuance of technical approval by the LDA, further activity would be completed.
“However, even if any of its members is not satisfied with so far progress, he may contact the management committee for clarification or reimbursement of (deposited amount),” the PUASA said.
Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2021