Land transfer scandal: Cholistan Development Authority MD removed
LAHORE:Naeem Iqbal, the Managing Director (MD) of the Cholistan Development Authority (CDA), has been removed from his position by the Chief Secretary amid allegations of involvement in unlawful land transfers in the Cholistan region.
According to documents obtained by The News, the scandal revolves around transfer of hunting land owned by the Nawab of Bahawalpur to his legitimate heirs, involving the exclusion of state-owned land. A report from the Chief Land Commissioner of Punjab revealed serious violations in the land transfer process, which led to Iqbal's removal from office. Authorities have confirmed that further punitive action is being considered as investigations continue.
Detailed reports show that both Naeem Iqbal and former MD Rao Nadeem, along with several tehsildars and other field staff, were implicated in the illegal transfer of 93 land records to the heirs of the late Nawab of Bahawalpur. Naeem Iqbal allegedly oversaw 26 of these transfers, while his predecessor was responsible for the remaining 67. Following an inquiry led by the Chief Land Commissioner and Senior Member of the Board of Revenue Punjab, the Chief Secretary ordered the immediate removal of Naeem Iqbal from office. The investigation has revealed that large portions of government land were unlawfully transferred to influential individuals, including high-ranking political figures.
Nabeel Javed, Senior Member of the Board of Revenue Punjab, has already nullified the 93 illegal transfers. Acting on a report from Rashid Kamal-ur-Rehman, Member of the Consolidation Board of Revenue Punjab, disciplinary action has been initiated against complicit revenue officers from the CDA Bahawalpur, leading to the suspension of several officials, including tehsildars and patwaris. Both former and current MDs of the CDA Bahawalpur remain under investigation. The illegal transfers of vast tracts of land were conducted in blatant violation of Supreme Court rulings. High-profile figures, including Sardar Usman Mian Abbasi, have also been implicated in the issue. In a conversation with The News Sardar Usman Mian Abbasi denied any wrongdoing, stating that the land was legally transferred to his family, the descendants of Nawab Sadiq Abbasi, and that they are within their rights to sell it. "We are the legal heirs of the Nawab, and the land belongs to us," Abbasi asserted.
Naeem Iqbal, the former MD of CDA, also defended his actions, claiming that he acted in accordance with the law. He disclosed that an "Implementation Committee" was formed by the government to distribute the land among the 23 legal heirs of the Nawab of Bahawalpur.
This committee, headed by a retired justice, held eight meetings that included the participation of the Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab, the Commissioner, the MD of Cholistan Bahawalpur, and representatives from the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), he added.
Iqbal explained that the Implementation Committee issued orders to transfer the land to the 23 heirs and ensure they took possession. He further stated that after the initial transfers, the land was legally transferred to approximately 90 additional heirs. However, two heirs of the Nawab later alleged that these subsequent transfers were illegal and requested their cancellation. Upon review by the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue, the transfers were swiftly annulled, and possession rights were revoked. When approached by The News, a senior official from the Board of Revenue stated, "We are taking firm action against all irregularities in the land transfers. After two weeks, we will be in a position to provide the media with a comprehensive report on what happened in Bahawalpur’s land dealings."
The investigation continues, with the government determined to address the illegal land transactions and restore legal ownership in line with court orders.
