Housing society victims assured of justice

LAHORE:National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore Director General Amjad Majeed Aulakh conducted a monthly open court session at NAB Lahore Bureau on Friday. Around 400 victims from various housing societies attended to seek redressal for their losses. Aulakh personally heard all the victims and issued on-the-spot instructions.

NAB Lahore DG assured the victims that the top priority of NAB is to release their plots and flats as per commitment. He mentioned that if necessary, NAB would oversee the development of the society through the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). NAB has also issued around 20 advertisements in various newspapers to raise public awareness about the society and to attract remaining affectees. NAB Lahore DG instructed the investigation team to request immediate action from LDA based on the victims' complaints. He also issued orders to approach the judiciary to cancel the bail of the accused if they do not comply with bail conditions. NAB is taking steps to return the victims' money by selling the properties of the accused, he added.

The orders were also issued to sell the properties of the society owners to compensate the victims. Addressing the victims, DG stated that NAB Lahore has frozen 300 kanals of the land associated with administration. The investigation is progressing quickly, with claims of 1,564 victims amounting to Rs830 million. In another case, NAB Lahore DG issued orders to summon the accused immediately, emphasising NAB's efforts to facilitate the victims with plots, as committed. NAB DG also instructed the victims to register their complaints with the NAB Complaints Cell, without any delay. He ordered immediate disciplinary action by the investigation team. In another case, NAB DG highlighted that the project administration is willing to return the full amount to the victims and significant progress is expected soon.

Addressing the victims of another housing society, NAB DG stated that despite efforts to auction the accused's properties, success has been elusive. However, the delivery of the remaining assets to the victims will commence after the sale of these properties. NAB Lahore DG issued orders to send the complaints of victims to the relevant Registrar Cooperatives for disciplinary action.

In his closing remarks, NAB Lahore DG emphasised that holding open court sessions at NAB Lahore is an effort to bridge the gap between the public and the NAB is yielding very positive results.