Adding a “zero” to land records inflated 50 channels to 500 channels for fraudulent plot assignments
ISLAMABAD:
An alleged corruption scandal involving forgery, collusion and manipulation of laws has surfaced in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), revealing fraudulent allocation of five agro-agricultural plots worth Rs 5 billion.
CDA officials and staff allegedly added an extra zero to the victims’ land claims – by converting 50 kanals to 500 kanals – to ensure the allotment of the said plots.
CDA chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa immediately ordered an inquiry and sought a comprehensive report within three days. Reliable sources told The Express Pakinomist that Director Kashif Niaz on the instructions of the Chairman has issued a formal order for inquiry into the facts.
According to the order, CDA Deputy Director Resource Humaira Irshad will chair the inquiry committee, with CDA Director State Management Shakeel Ahmad as a member.
The investigation order states that allotments of agricultural farms numbered 38, 40, 59, 66 and 66-A were completely fraudulent – prepared using manipulated revenue records and fabricated documents inserted into official files.
The investigation has so far revealed that all five awards were based on deliberate fraud and false documentation.
The committee has also been tasked with identifying the role of a man named Aslam Jamil, who presented himself as a private individual.
“The committee must explain in writing who this influential man is and how he managed to manipulate not just one CDA Directorate but officials from Revenue, CDA DC Office, Land Directorate, and even the former Deputy DG State,” it read.
Similarly, the committee must investigate the then Assistant Director Land Irfan Ahmed, whose records suggest that he acted against CDA’s interests in agro-farm matters, it was ordered.
“All related documents must be retrieved from official files and included in the investigation.”
The committee has been instructed to maintain complete confidentiality and submit 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 assistant who is now retired and lives in an exclusive part of Islamabad.
Chairman CDA could not be reached for comment. However, a senior CDA officer confirmed to The Express Pakinomist that a confidential inquiry has been initiated and a committee set up on the chairman’s orders will submit a detailed report within three days.
In response to a query, he said that the matter is far from simple.
An inquiry will be made from lower level employees to senior officials, including the members’ estate. He added that at the time the scam took place, no member state had been designated, so all powers were delegated to the deputy DG State.
During this period, the figure of 50 kanals in the victims’ land register was changed to 500 kanals, which enabled the allocation of five plots worth Rs 5 billion.
