LAHORE: A group of lawyers forcefully entered the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) complex in Johar Town on Thursday, intimidating officials, assaulting one of them, and fleeing with some records.
Upon receiving a distress call, Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa contacted the police, resulting in the arrival of a police team led by two SPs.
LDA officials, along with several staff members, gathered at the scene and expressed their outrage against the lawyers’ actions.
They demanded enhanced protection from the government, particularly for those involved in investigating various scams, including the Johar Town bogus plot files.
An anonymous official present at the protest warned that if the LDA administration failed to address their demand for protection, they would have no choice but to seek legal recourse through the high court and other relevant channels.
In an official complaint filed by LDA estate officer Shafat Ali, it was stated that a group of approximately eight to ten lawyers, led by advocate Mazhar Iqbal Naol, arrived at the LDA office on Thursday morning.
They targeted a specific plot file, forcibly took three pages from it, and proceeded to threaten the estate officer in the presence of other staff members.
Furthermore, the lawyers made life-threatening remarks and even brandished a pistol at the officer. Director Mr. Naeem intervened, moving Shafat Ali out of his office to protect him.
However, as soon as Shafat Ali emerged from the director’s office, the lawyers followed him and physically assaulted him, causing injuries and damaging his clothes.
Besides, the LDA officials intervened and managed to rescue him, but the lawyers fled with important records, leaving the LDA staff frightened.
LDA Director General Muhammad Ali Randhawa has requested a detailed report on the incident from the additional director general of housing and has instructed the police to file a case against the lawyers involved.
It should be noted that the LDA had formed a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate reports of duplicate files and forged documents related to various plots in Johar Town.
The initial inquiry had already uncovered 100 bogus residential plot files in Johar Town, which were missing from the LDA records.
These plots were originally LDA property, but private individuals allegedly collaborated with LDA staff to fraudulently create duplicate files.
Sources also revealed that the Lahore Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) is also investigating this scam.
Besides, the LDA is facing challenges in maintaining an updated record of its properties, not only in Johar Town but also in other schemes developed since its establishment in 1975.
Source: DAWN
