The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued directives to the government of Punjab to initiate process for acquiring land of government offices built on the property of Sardar Kora Khan Trust in district Muzaffargarh and Jatoi areas and deposit the money in account of the trust.
An illiterate philanthropist of the sub-continent, Sardar Kora Khan Jatoi Baloch had donated a chunk of fertile land (3,458 acres) in 1894, located in the delta of five rivers in districts Muzaffargarh, Rahimyar Khan and Rajanpur, for social welfare and development in the vicinities but people at the helm of affairs have been swallowing the income of the land, one way or another, for the last 122 years.
Appearing before a two-judge bench led by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan in the matter, Muzaffar Magsi informed the court that since the land was given to the trust for promotion of education 122 years ago but it is unfortunate that even 122 children have not been imparted education so far. Magsi requested the bench to issue directives to provincial government to vacate the occupied leased land with instructions to recover the amount against lease of agriculture land which should be deposited in the trust account.
Additional Advocate General Punjab Razaq A Mirza submitted that in pursuance of the court's directives, 275 acres of the trust property have been vacated from the land grabbers.
District Co-ordination Officer of Muzaffargarh, Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa submitted before the bench that he himself has visited the shrine of Sardar Kora Khan and is overseeing the shrine decoration. Responding to Mirza's information that the government is taking action against rest of 11 land grabbers, the court directed him to ensure possession of the land with recovery of revenue as damage. The court also asked the provincial government to confiscate the wheat crop of the land and deposit the crop's income in the trust account.
Reliable sources told this correspondent that although the apex court has issued directives to acquire the land and deposit the money in the trust account, yet legally it would not be possible as all the said land is on the title of district councils in accordance with the record.
After hearing the matter, the bench sought detailed report from the provincial government about demarcation of the trust land, vacation of the encroached property, and current status of leased and commercial land of the trust. Hearing of the matter was adjourned till May 08.