The Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) retrieved more than 55 acres of land, valued at more than four crore rupees in the open market. So far, this is the largest retrieval of land by the commission from illegal squatters, OPC Commissioner Afzaal Bhatti said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
Giving details about this landmark achievement, he said that applicant Asghar Ali lodged a complaint that 441 kanals and 10 marlas of his agricultural land in Thatti Anok Singh, district Hafiz Abad had been illegally occupied by some influential people of the area. The squatters had refused to vacate the land and had threatened the applicant who is currently residing in Saudi Arabia.
The complaint was referred to the OPC’s Hafiz Abad district office for further action, which pursued the case vigorously. After a legal battle and through the support of line departments, the land was evacuated and handed back to Asghar Ali, who has thanked the commission for its support and cooperation.
In his statement, the commissioner said that the OPC vigorously pursues the complaints of expatriate Pakistanis to help protect their legal rights.
“Expat Pakistanis can contact the OPC for the resolution of their issues at any time. We have developed a proactive and efficient institutional mechanism to provide formal support to the complainants so that they can live peacefully abroad,” commissioner Bhatti added.
