–NAB IO tells court Bahria Town now possesses 25,601 acres compared to 12,156 acres in 2012
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file references in cases pertaining to the Malir Development Authority (MDA) projects amounting to Rs1.5 billion and K-IV water project –matters stemming from Bahria Town project.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed passed the orders while hearing the Bahria Town case.
In addition, the court directed the accountability watchdog and authorities concerned to take action on the installation of illegal tube wells as well as payments made for sale and purchase of land. The court also warned the NAB of consequences in case its orders were ignored.
NAB, which was ordered by the SC to probe Bahria Town project, submitted a report in the court after it was reprimanded by the judges on Monday. The bureau informed the bench that the inquiry was completed and it would now send a reference for approval.
The investigation officer said that Bahria Town, as per the 2012 survey report, had held 12,156 acres of land but that the area currently in its possession has reached 25,601 acres.
The court noted that 7,220 acres of land was illegally transferred to Bahria Town in 2015, adding that the real estate developer claims that it has not illegally acquired the land.
The bench then ordered the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to recover the said land before adjourning the case until January 15.
As the hearing resumed, the lawyer representing plot allottees told the top court that they were ready to pay whatever price it would set. “If the price is determined, then the rate would be of 2019,” Justice Saeed made it clear.
The top court on Monday reprimanded the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) over what it termed their “non-cooperation” in implementing a ruling of the apex court in Bahria Town case.
Last year, the Supreme Court (SC) had declared that the total area of land acquired by the real estate company in Takht Pari, Rawalpindi, was 2,210 acres and not 1,741 acres as claimed by the developers.
While chairing a hearing of the three-member implementation bench on Bahria Town case, Justice Azmat Saeed had warned the respondents that the judges were “about to lose their temperament”.
The top court had dismissed Bahria Town’s petition, noting that the matter of action against those responsible for these encroachments will be dealt with by an implementation bench of the court.
During the hearing, the judge had directed NAB to ensure progress “through its actions”.
Justice Saeed inquired to the NAB prosecutor regarding why didn’t the accountability watchdog submit its report on Bahria Town despite being asked to.
“Let us know if you can’t follow orders. You were given a time frame of three months but there has been no development so far,” he had said.
“Sir, this is not the case,” the NAB prosecutor pleaded. At this, the SC judge had reacted, “The fact is that no cooperation has been shown [on the part of NAB]”.
