NAB launches operation to recover illegally occupied plots in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Sunday carried out an operation in Al-Haram City to clear plots that had been under illegal occupation, acting on complaints filed by plot owners.

According to NAB, the action was undertaken on the directions of NAB Director General Islamabad/Rawalpindi Region Waqar Chohan, with the support of local revenue authorities and Rawalpindi Cantonment Police.

During the operation, the identified plots were vacated while law and order was maintained, the bureau said. NAB stated that the land had been earmarked for plot owners in Al-Haram City, but the occupation was linked to another private housing scheme.

The bureau said around 200 kanals of valuable land had remained under illegal occupation, depriving nearly 300 plot owners of the plots allotted to them. Relief was being extended to the affected owners in phases.

Possession process initiated

NAB said the operation formed part of continuing efforts to address irregularities and unlawful occupation in the housing sector, with the stated aim of protecting citizens’ rights and helping restore public confidence.

Following on-site verification, the bureau said the required steps had been started to enable the transfer of possession of the vacated plots to their rightful owners.

According to NAB, the administration of Al-Haram City has been directed to complete levelling work on the affected land and hand over possession to the owners within one week.

The housing scheme’s administration has also been instructed to finish the process within the given timeframe and submit a report to ensure the transfer of possession is completed on time.

Action taken after complaints

The operation was launched after plot owners raised complaints regarding the occupation of their land. NAB said the identified plots were cleared in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The bureau’s statement said the move was part of broader ongoing measures in the housing sector. It maintained that the purpose of such action was to address irregularities and illegal occupation while safeguarding the rights of citizens affected by such disputes.

NAB further said that, after verification at the site, the process had moved into the next stage so that possession of the vacated plots could be transferred to those legally entitled to them.

The bureau reiterated that approximately 200 kanals had been under illegal occupation and that close to 300 allottees had been unable to access their plots as a result. Relief for the affected owners was being provided in phases, while the Al-Haram City administration had been told to complete levelling and hand over possession within a week.