Illegal allotment of 307 acres: NAB to conduct four investigations against Sindh government officials

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has decided to conduct four investigations after inquiry against Sindh government functionaries and others for illegally allotting 307 acres of land to various beneficiaries. The decision was made in a Regional Board Meeting held under the chairmanship of Director General NAB Karachi Mohammad Altaf Bawany at the NAB Karachi, said a statement.
The board meeting was attended by the directors of three investigation wings and respective investigating teams of concerned cases. After thorough consultation following decisions were made: 1. The decision in principle was made for recommendation to Chairman NAB for authorizing four investigations in an inquiry concluded against Sindh government functionaries and others regarding re-alignment or construction of Malir River Bund for the purpose of housing societies and illegal allotment of land from within Malir River bed.
It was concluded in inquiry that 307 acres of land were illegally allotted to various beneficiaries in violation of law and rules by way of fresh allotment and exchange after squeezing the boundaries of Malir River. The inquiry recommended four investigations which contain prima facie allegations of misuse of authority allegedly committed by 20 Sindh govt officials including senior officers of Chief Secretary level and below, along with various beneficiaries and front-men. The preliminary calculation of loss to the national exchequer is Rs 15.7 billion.
2. The investigation was approved for filing of references against officers of District Accounts Office Dadu and others on the charges of embezzlement and misappropriation of pension funds allocated for District Dadu. The reference allegedly contains charges against Ghulam Mustafa Lund, Muhammad Nazir Bhutto both former District Accounts Officers of Dadu and others for corruption, misuse of authority for personal illegal gains and thus causing loss to the national exchequer worth Rs 736 million.
The accused persons have been charged for misappropriation of govt funds by cultivating agents and other innocent persons holding CNICs and bank accounts by using their IDs and bank accounts for clearing fake and bogus pension bills issued by them against bogus govt employees of education and police departments.
It is worthwhile to mention that accused Ghulam Mustafa Lund had also entered in Voluntary Return (VR) u/s 25(a) of National Accountability Ordinance 1999 whereby he agreed to deposit in national exchequer amount of Rs 356 million and still defaulting for remaining Rs 146 million.
3. In an inquiry against the management of M/s State Bank Cooperative Society and officers of Revenue Department Govt of Sindh, recommendation was approved to be made to the NAB HQ for authorizing investigation against management of State Bank of Pakistan Staff Cooperative Housing Society and officials of Revenue Department Govt of Sindh on the allegations of misuse of authority for illegally usurping govt land situated in Taluka Shah Murid, District Malir.
4. The inquiry authorized against officials of Revenue Department Govt of Sindh on allegations of loss of 65 acres of govt land situated at Scheme 33 District East Karachi, usurped on the basis of forgery by revenue officials in order to favour illegal beneficiaries. 5. The investigation was authorized against the management of Hyderabad Railway Employees Cooperative Housing Society and beneficiaries of illegal allotment of 16 plots that belonged to Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
DG NAB Mohammad Altaf Bawany, at the end of the board meeting said that NAB is committed to initiating corruption cases on unequivocal lines, treating every citizen of Pakistan at par. He said NAB has been contributing effectively in recovering govt assets back to Government of Sindh particularly precious lands that have been subject of seizure by forgery and other illegal means by government officials in connivance with private persons.