LAYYAH, May 25: The Multan Anti-Corruption additional director has ordered an inquiry into a scam in which thousands of acres of government land was allegedly got allotted by influential people by bribing revenue officials.
A resident of Layyah city, Abdul Hakeem, said in an application submitted to the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Multan, that local landlords Bahadar son of Qadarbux, Khuda Bux son of Ghulam Hussain, Baqir Ali and Ghulam Ali sons of Noor Muhammad Achlana sold land to 51 persons measuring 5,756 kanal and 7 marlas in Moza Mirhan through registered deed No 1,003 on Nov 23, 1953.
Revenue department entered and attested purchaser’s ownership through mutation No 1422 to 1504.
In 1954, Thal Development Authority (TDA) acquired all this land and determined their right of return to the tune of 1,306 kanals and 5 marlas. But, the owners were not able to get adjusted their right of return due to litigation and a stay order by the West Pakistan High Court.
He said after the decision of writ petition No 1753/65 by the court, the revenue department determined the right of return notification wise under the TDA act by receiving bribe from the owners and those who failed to pay bribe their right of return was determined under revenue act.
He said Sardar Khan’s right of return was determined 422 kanal 10 marlas and that of Muhammad Aslam, Niaz Ali, Ghulam Jilani and Muhammad Sadiq was determined to the tune of 2,61 Kanal 5 marlas each.
The complainant said as many as 20 owners, including Sardar Khan and others, were allotted 1,584 Kanals and 5 marlas land each in Chak No 259 under the TDA by the order of Karor Lal Esan assistant commissioner passed on Aug 29, 1996, against 522 kanals and 10 marlas right of return determined by the revenue department for each owner.
Sardar Khan got the land adjusted through mutation No 159, attested and approved on Sept 12, 1996, by the revenue officer. Thus Sardar Khan received 1,062 Kanals and 2 marlas of government land worth millions of rupees more than his right of return, he alleged.
Other owners, including Hassa Khan got adjusted 1,268 Kanal land on the orders of the then assistant commissioner, thus receiving 996 Kanal and 15 marla extra government land by bribing revenue officials, he said.
After preliminary hearing, the AEC additional director appointed Assistant Director Muhammad Arif Zia to investgate the matter.