Internal bickering, massive irregularities and violation of prescribed rules, misuse of authority and concealed and unhand deals are hallmark of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the body responsible for looking after the affairs of properties and assets of minorities across the country.
ETPB Chairman Asif Hashmi has been allegedly found involved in grave violations of rules in allotment and sale and purchase of ETPB’s land, says an enquiry report compiled by the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC). However, since the report was sent to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani around a year back, no further action has been taken on the report yet. A detailed enquiry into the malfunction of the ETPB reveals massive discrepancies in the affairs of the institution, suggesting that the bosses of the body had badly violated rules in their own interest or to favour their blue-eyed. The enquiry report also reveals a shady deal reached between the ETPB and Defence Housing Authority (DHA). According to the findings, the ETPB and DHA Lahore had negotiated sale/exchange of Evacuee Trust land situated at Mauza Lidhar, Mota Singhwala and Dera Chahal, Lahore Cantt tehsil in 2007. Both parties agreed that DHA will allocate 33 percent exemption of residential plots of one kanal each, the commercial plots at the scale of 10 percent (subsequently 16%) of residential plots to ETPB on the rates as for members of DHA.
The ministry on receipt of proposal raised certain objections/observations. As a result the matter was delayed for considerable long period and was again finalised in the year 2009.Due to unprofessional negotiations conducted by ETPB Chairman Asif Hashmi, the ETPB would be able to get 25 percent exemption as residential plots as comparison to earlier agreed 33 percent on residential plots while the development charges were also to be borne by the ETPB. Interestingly, the Ministry of Minorities’ Affairs did not allow the ETPB to enter into an agreement with DHA when terms and conditions were favourable and propitious in 2007, but it allowed the deed when terms and conditions were unfavourable and uneconomical.
Under this deal, the ETPB would get 486 residential plots and no commercial plot, whereas 100 commercial plots were offered earlier. The report said the ETPB made investments in real estate without approval of the federal government, which was also contrary to the law. The ministry, on the recommendations of ETPB, constituted an Investment Advisory Committee for preparation of investment proposals of surplus funds, but it failed to include its representative in the committee. In an apparent bid to please the ETPB secretary, the chairman allotted four plots measuring 21 M-079 Sq ft (total area of four plots) to the ETPB secretary against his entitlement of 20 marlas and without the formal approval of the ministry. The report claims that scheme construction of houses and buildings at DHA Lahore was approved by ETPB Chairman Asif Hashmi without seeking the approval of the board and ministry. A number of board members were not aware of the construction work being carried out by ETPB.
The construction work at ETPB plots in DHA Lahore was not being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the act, rules and regulations. The ETPB has kicked off a mega scheme “construction of 21 houses/building” at DHA Lahore at the estimated cost of Rs 355.55 million without any plan for the use of these residential accommodations. Similarly, such mega scheme was started without preparation of PC-II/PC-1 which was mandatory for all development schemes. “In the absence of PC-1 and clear cut strategy for profitable utilisation of these houses, it is anticipated that these houses would either be sold out or allotted to the individuals at lower prices which would be a great financial loss to the government and against the public interests,” the report said. Regarding the allegations and complaints of collecting bribe by the Chairman ETPB from development cases of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, construction works of Islamabad Plaza, BVO West, Ayesha Degree College, Misri Shah Plaza, Car Parking Plaza, Lahore and from field officers of the board, no tangible evidence or proof has been produced before PMIC-IT and these allegations have not been substantiated.
The ETPB flats at Lawrence Road, Lahore and 7th Road, Rawalpindi were rented out through inviting biddings/offers which was contrary to the rules, procedures and terms and conditions laid down under the urban scheme for management and control of Evacuee Trust/Properties 1977. About 2,300 acres of ETPB land in Karachi has been encroached by various organisations and individuals, but ETPB high-ups did not make any tangible effort for recovery of land from the illegal occupants. The matter regarding occupation and sale of ETPB land at Dalai, Rawalpindi is still unresolved and may create legal repercussion in the future, says the report. A number of construction works have been initiated by ETPB and almost all contracts were awarded during the year 2009. The recommendations of the Departmental Development Committee (DDC) were not verified, as PC-II/PC-1 was not produced by the ETPB. The ETPB employees have been performing Haj and Umra on the expense of the board. This practice is creating unrest not only amongst the minority communities but also agitating the members of the board, especially female members/MNAs. The budget estimates (development) for the year 2009-10 duly approved by the ETPB is lying pending with the ministry for its concurrence under the act. Similarly, one line development budget has been demanded by ETPB without incorporating justifications and feasibility reports of the projects which is mandatory to examine the viability of the projects. Another soaring issue between the ETPB and Ministry of Minorities relates to withdrawal of the writ petition filed by ETPB regarding allotment of a land to Sheikh Sultan Trust in Lahore. The ministry was accentuating upon implementation of the directive of the prime minister, whereas the ETPB was reluctant to comply with the directions and inclined to contest the case in the court of law.
