Intelligence report unmasks ‘land grabber’ mafia in ETPB

LAHORE: An intelligence report has uncovered the alleged involvement of local administrators and officers of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in facilitating the illegal occupation of properties worth billions of rupees in Nankana Sahib District.

The report, sent to the ETPB chairman, provides details of those occupying the properties, the officers enabling the illegal takeovers, and other related evidence. A copy of the report, obtained by The News, reveals that the Board owns 18,215 acres of agricultural and residential land in Nankana Sahib.

The ETPB administrator, the deputy administrator, land record officers (patwaris), security staff, and drivers facilitated the illegal occupation of valuable properties in exchange for bribes. A total of seven employees have been named in the report.

The officers are alleged to have facilitated land grabbing in 25 areas, including Kot Karmanwala, Kot Sant Ram, Kot Lehana Das, Manwala Road, Dhoorkot, Basti Mian Mir, Bachiana Road, Shahkot Road, Canada Colony, and Warburton Road.

Additionally, the report includes the details of nine local property dealers involved in the illegal purchase and sale of the ETPB properties. It also contains a list of 50 individuals who have taken control of plots ranging from a few marlas to over five channels, along with their photographs.

The report claims that the ETPB staff accepted bribes ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000 to facilitate the occupations. Security supervisors were allegedly involved in occupations of plots up to 10 marlas, while patwaris were involved in occupation of land between 10 marlas and five kanals.

The report also references a letter sent to Shoaib Suddle, the head of the Supreme Court’s one-man commission, alleging that the ETPB Administrator Chaudhry Tanveer facilitated illegal occupation of properties, causing a loss of Rs1 billion to the government.

In response to the intelligence report, the chairman has suspended the implicated officers and initiated an inquiry, according to ETPB Secretary Fareed Iqbal.

Talking to The News, Iqbal stated that the ETPB had devised a strategy to take action against local the administrations, including the deputy commissioner and revenue officers, and politicians involved in illegal occupations.

He disclosed that the 1974 law related to the property had been amended, and many properties previously transferred through bribery were being reviewed. He emphasized that the Board of Revenue will be held accountable for the illegal transfers of ETPB properties, including the land handed over to the Punjab government.