Bahria Town Illegally Occupied Over 12,000 Acres in Karachi: NAB

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has claimed that Bahria Town illegally occupied 12,156 acres of land. Bahria Town, with the help of Sindh Government Institutions, illegally acquired this area. To review the Bahria Town matter, a board meeting was held today at NAB Karachi Office. The meeting was chaired by NAB Karachi Director General, Mohammad Altaf Bawany. The Board reviewed the progress on the investigation against Bahria Town, MDA officials and other government functionaries. The review was conducted in compliance with the directions of Chairman NAB Justice Javed Iqbal to expedite cases taken up by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. ALSO READ Prices in Bahria Town Drop by Upto 20% After Supreme Court Verdict The investigation team briefed the board about the progress they made in the case against Bahria Town. The team claimed that the investigation was already completed and a case was registered on the basis of irrefutable evidence. “The management of Bahria Town, in connivance with relevant public office holders and officers of District Malir revenue Department, Malir Development Authority (MDA) and Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), took illegal possession of thousands of acres of valuable government land situated along the Main Super Gighway (m9),” the team briefed the NAB board. This land acquisition was in serious violation of multiple laws regarding land control. According to these, handing over land was against the law of Colonization of Government Land Act 1912, MDA Act 1993 and Sindh Building Control Ordinance (SBCA) 1979. The board was also apprised that a concise statement was also submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, highlighting facts regarding blatant violation of laws and rules. During the investigation, NAB was assisted by Survey of Pakistan and Ministry of Defence for demarcation of the land under illegal possession of Bahria Town. Bahria Town was in possession of 12,156 acres, after which Bahria Town was restrained by Supreme Court from undertaking further development. DG NAB Karachi instructed the investigating team to engage with the legal team for expediting queries so that the deadline given by the Supreme Court is met in time.