LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Department has initiated an inquiry into a 29 Kanal property on the main road of Gulberg, Lahore, which was donated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, his sister Fatima Jinnah, and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan to a trust.
The property, valued in the billions of rupees, has remained in the possession of the late leaders’ heirs, despite being earmarked for a trust, according to records from the revenue department.
Assistant Commissioner Model Town Zeeshan Ranjha raised the issue with the anti-corruption authorities after finding that the land, located in the Model Town area, had not been transferred into the name of the trust or a buyer.
The power of attorney for the property is still held by Liaquat Ali Khan and Fatima Jinnah, who died in 1951 and 1967, respectively.
Ranjha explained that the Development Authority, which grants approval for construction in commercial zones, had been asked to respond to the notice from the anti-corruption team.
He warned that legal action would be taken to transfer the land if the LDA officials did not comply, regardless of any justification provided.
While there is legal room for adjustment, according to the revenue department’s regulations, using the land for any other purpose than the trust is not allowed without significant and essential justification.
Ranjha confirmed that the property was covered in old maps as part of the trust’s land.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Lahore Development Authority has not yet commented on the matter.
Source: Minute Mirror
