ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken decisive action against its land director, Sidra Anwar, following allegations of fraudulent land allotment in Sector E-11. The controversy revolves around an eight-kanal plot that was allegedly acquired using counterfeit documents.
The CDA, in an official communication, has approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking permission to reassign the implicated officer back to the Establishment Division.
Insiders reveal that land director is under scrutiny for allegedly sanctioning the eight-kanal plot based on fabricated paperwork. It has come to light that the beneficiaries had previously secured land from the CDA back in 2006. However, with the alleged collusion of certain officials, they managed to acquire an additional parcel of land. This allotment was subsequently annulled, leading to the suspension of two other officials.
Before the revocation of the allotment, a new party that had purchased the land from the original allottees tried to take possession. Their efforts were thwarted by certain vigilant CDA officials who flagged the transaction as a breach of protocols. In a twist, some members of an anti-corruption agency, allegedly in cahoots with the CDA, exerted pressure on these officials.
Adding to the intrigue, the name of a high-ranking intelligence officer was reportedly invoked to intimidate CDA personnel into relinquishing the land. Upon learning of this misuse of his name, the intelligence officer intervened, directing both the CDA chairman and the head of the watchdog to investigate the issue.
Following this directive, the CDA chairman initiated an internal inquiry, which led to the suspension of Assistant Director Aftab Saleem and a dealing assistant, Jamshed. The investigation deduced that the land had been unlawfully allocated, and the involved parties deliberately hid the fact that the beneficiaries had previously been granted land by the CDA in 2006.
In a related development, the security directorate seized several documents from the suspended dealing assistant. An inside source informed, “Post ECP’s approval, the land director will also face disciplinary action.” The source also confirmed that a comprehensive inquiry is in the pipeline.
On a positive note, the CDA confirmed that the annulment of the land deal ensured that there were no financial repercussions for the civic body.
Source: DAWN
