LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has intensified “critical scrutiny “of housing societies such as Al-Haram Garden, Khyaban Amin Housing Society, Rehman Garden Phase-4, and Lahore Garden, following a litany of grievances of ‘alleged foul play.’
In a recent open court organized by NAB Lahore, numerous individuals adversely affected by these housing societies gave vent to their complaints to the Director General (DG) of NAB. Among the grievances were accusations against Al-Haram Garden’s administration for selling land without procuring necessary approvals from the respective regulatory bodies.
Al-Haram Garden, situated on Ferozepur Road in Lahore, faced a similar debacle in 2018 when the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) sealed its office due to its illegal standing. The DG of NAB Lahore was informed of a multitude of complaints against Al-Haram Garden, with NAB already gearing up for stern action against its administration. Other projects managed by Al-Haram Garden’s administration, Safari Garden and Hajveri Homes, have also garnered NAB’s attention.
According to NAB Lahore, the disputes within Khyaban Amin’s administration have caused significant distress to the affected individuals. NAB Lahore has therefore appealed to the higher judiciary to permit the sale of properties registered under the names of the accused, Sahir Chaudhary and Allah Ditta Heera, to provide recompense to the affected parties. Subsequently, the land belonging to the mentioned society has been seized by NAB Lahore, prohibiting any sales without NAB’s authorization.
It’s worth noting that around six years ago, NAB Lahore initiated inquiries against Khayaban-e-Amin over a multi-million rupee corruption scandal. In 2018, during a Regional Board Meeting (RBM) at NAB Headquarters chaired by then-Director General Shahzad Saleem, a direct inquiry was authorized against the owners of Khayaban-e-Amin.
This decision followed the registration of more than 250 complaints concerning a scam amounting to Rs221.65 million. The investigation, spurred by numerous complaints regarding fraudulent possession of homes, flats, and plots despite full payment, has yet to conclude even after six years, leaving the complainants in a lurch.
However, the DG NAB has directed action against the administration of Rahman Garden Phase 4 based on the complaints received in the open forum. Additionally, the DG of NAB has mandated stringent measures against other seemingly illegal housing ventures of Lahore Garden administration, in light of the extensive complaints from petitioners.
Although the specifics of the orders by DG NAB Lahore were not revealed, the DG affirmed NAB’s commitment to addressing the issues of the general populace promptly, as per the vision of NAB’s Chairman.
The DG of NAB Lahore reiterated NAB’s dedication to ensuring the timely development of private societies while adhering to the constitution and law. He emphasized that NAB’s doors remain open to provide redressal for victims in the housing sector and other corruption-related cases, instructing investigative teams to promptly address the grievances of the affected individuals.
