The addition of a “zero” to land registers increased from 50 kanals to 500 kanals for fraudulent allocations of plots
ISLAMABAD:
An alleged corruption scandal involving forgery, collusion and manipulation of laws has surfaced in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), revealing the fraudulent allocation of five agricultural plots worth Rs 5 billion.
CDA officials and staff allegedly added an extra zero to the victims’ land claims – turning 50 kanals into 500 kanals – to ensure the allocation of the said plots.
CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa immediately ordered an investigation and demanded a full report within three days. Reliable sources told The Express PK Press Club that on the instructions of the President, Director Kashif Niaz issued an order for a formal investigation.
According to the order, CDA Deputy Director General Resource Humaira Irshad will chair the inquiry committee, with CDA State Management Director Shakeel Ahmad as member.
The inquiry order states that the allotments of agricultural plots numbered 38, 40, 59, 66 and 66-A were entirely fraudulent – prepared using falsified revenue records and fake documents inserted in official records.
The investigation has so far found that all five attributions were based on deliberate fraud and false documents.
The committee was also tasked with identifying the role of a man named Aslam Jamil, who identified himself as a private individual.
“The committee must explain in writing who this influential man is and how he managed to manipulate not only a management of the CDA but also officials of the Revenue, the CDA DC office, the Land Directorate and even the former deputy DG of the State,” it was said.
Similarly, the committee must investigate Deputy Land Director Irfan Ahmed, whose record suggests that he acted against the interests of the CDA in agro-farming matters, it was ordered.
“All relevant documents must be extracted from official records and included in the investigation.”
The committee was tasked with maintaining complete confidentiality and submitting a merit-based report identifying all responsible officials, along with recommendations.
Sources further revealed that Aslam Jamil – who circumvented all CDA rules – was actually a former CDA employee who is now retired and resides in a posh area of Islamabad.
The CDA president could not be reached for comment. However, a senior CDA official confirmed to The Express PK Press Club that a confidential inquiry had been launched and a committee formed on the orders of the President would submit a detailed report within three days.
In response to a question, he said the issue was far from simple.
A survey will be conducted from lower level staff to senior officials, including the member area. He added that at the time the scam happened, no member of the estate was appointed, so all powers were delegated to the state Deputy DG.
During this period, the figure of 50 kanals in the victims’ land register was changed to 500 kanals, allowing the allocation of five plots worth Rs5 billion.
