NAB takes cognizance of Deh allotments in MDA, SC told

KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau has taken cognizance of allotment of land in Dehs of Malir by the Malir Development Authority, a Senior Member of the Board of Revenue told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

SC’s three-member bench, headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim, was hearing the application regarding adjustment of land of 43 Dehs by the Malir Development Authority.

Applicant Syed Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi submitted in the application that the MDA was adjusting the lands pursuant to the different notifications issued by the BoR, claiming that the land which is exchanged does not match the valuation and even otherwise does not permit such an adjustment. 

He alleged that the MDA was making illegal adjustment of the land to favour the Bahria Town management by purchasing the land at lower prices and transferring the same to prime locations of the city.

The Senior Member of the Board of Revenue, Rizwan Memon, submitted that the MDA had sent a summary for preparing the master plan of 43 Dehs in Malir. However, no allotment order has been issued by the government. 

The court inquired how allotment could be made to the MDA and observed that the matter should be sent to NAB for an inquiry as the court could not hold an inquiry into the matter in which complaints of citizens with regard to subject adjustment have been filed in the court.

The Member of the Board of Revenue submitted that NAB has already taken cognizance of the matter and informed the court that call up notices have been issued to the Board of Revenue officials with regard to allotment of the land. 

The court observed that the chairman of NAB was also called in another matter therefore the matter be adjourned for Wednesday so that the case was disposed of after hearing the chairman of NAB with regard to such an inquiry.

It is pertinent to mention here that the court had earlier questioned the genuineness of the relevant notification regarding adjustment of the land, observing that the summary floated did not bear the signature of the chief secretary pursuant to which the notification on December 26, 2013 was issued by the provincial government. 

The court observed that the notification was against the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and is a permanent nuisance for the private owners of the land as such a notification of controlled area deprive them of enjoying the rights of their properties.