ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: The chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Farkhand Iqbal claimed on Thursday that he received a life threat from the city’s big guns and land mafia. Worst still, ministry of interior has recalled his official security.
The chairman was recently provided with a few paramilitary soldiers other than an assistant sub inspector and two police officials.
“I am under threat…I have God with me to save me from land grabbers, despite the fact that my guard has been taken away the other day by the Interior Ministry but I have a pistol and a Kalashnikov to repulse any threat,” remarked the chairman of the authority.
“Frontier Constabulary’s security was also provided to me but it was taken away. But I have told few legislators and concerned quarters that my life is under deep threat,” insisted Mr Iqbal.
The chairman CDA said that he has also raised the issued with Secretary Interior Khawaja Siddique Akbar.
Asked what were the reasons, which led to an increase threat to his life, he explained: “I have been actively working on projects, blocked corruption in CDA, started Margalla Avenue where fake land grabbers and encroachers wait for me to turn up at the construction site but I manage it on my own without any fear.”
Mr Iqbal asserted that all these land grabbers across the city were a threat to his life but he still managed to survive.
“I have not been attacked yet but I fear that I will be attacked any time,” he remarked, when asked whether somebody attacked him or he has any life threat from any individual.
It is pertinent to mention that chairman CDA’s security according authority’s official was taken away by the Interior Ministry.
Asked whether he has developed any differences with Interior Ministry over the issue of the security, he clarified: “I have no differences at all with anyone not even.”
“Don’t ask who has taken the security away but you might know who it is,” said Mr Iqbal without clearly naming any one during his brief conversation with Dawn.
However, chairman CDA added that he was actively clearing the encroachments from the projects which were located outside the city.
“Park Enclave project is launched today and we have rejected all the fake claims made by encroachers, besides, Kurri Model Village project will also be initiated soon.”
The chairman added that Kurri Model village has cost a number of officials their job but despite all the issues he was set to launch the project with utmost sincerity.
“I know people have allegedly minted money in the project but with true sincerity, we will launch the project and limit the entry of fake claimants,” said the chairman.
Kurri model village has total land area of over 4,000 kanals but the development at the village could not be initiated by the CDA, despite after the passage of two years since fake claims were made by a number of people leaving the authority to delay the project for two more years.
Despite multiple attempts no official of the Interior Ministry was available to comment over the claim of the chairman CDA Farkhand Iqbal relating to his life and security.