Lahore: DHA illegally occupying 4,638.19 kanals of government’s land: Punjab govt

[Naveed Yaseen]

Punjab govt likely to ask DHA to vacate or pay
By Rana Kashif

LAHORE: The Punjab government is likely to send a letter to the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to either vacate its illegally occupied land or pay its value, Rs 40 billion.

Sources told Daily Times on Thursday Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif directed the Lahore commissioner to take necessary action in response to an application by Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Mian Naseer Ahmed. They said the commissioner informed the CM that a meeting would be held between the DHA and the authorities concerned and a letter would also be sent to the DHA. MPA Ahmed confirmed he had filed an application to the CM. Despite repeated attempts the commissioner was not available for comment.

MPA Ahmad, on November 28, 2008, during proceedings of the Punjab Assembly asked the Revenue Department the exact area of the occupied land and if the Punjab government had been paid by the DHA. The department concerned, in its reply, said the land in question measured 4,638.19 kanals, adding that the DHA had not made any payments to the Punjab government. It (department) also said the land was situated in Kamahan, Hare, Bangali and Barki. The House was informed through Punjab Colonies Minister Haji Muhammad Ishaq that the measurements of the land in the Lahore Cantonment was 3814.07 kanals, 178.12 kanals in Kamahan, 155 kanals in Hare, 477.09 kanals in Bangali and 13.11 kanals in Barki mauzaas.

Investigation: The reply generated extensive debates between the lawmakers. The lawmakers demanded a committee be formed to conduct a thorough investigation of the matter. They said the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) was directed to conduct the investigation by Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal Khan. Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said, in a previous statement, the inquiry could not be conducted on the issue as the matter was currently in court. Meanwhile, sources said the matter was not subjudice.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_4