ETBP officials accused of misconduct in land lease deal

LAHORE:A corruption complaint has been filed against several officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Eastern Zone Lahore, regarding their illegal land dealings.

A citizen from Tehsil Raiwind has forwarded his plea to the ETPB Secretary, accusing Inspector Rehan, Deputy Administrator Munir Ahmed, and official Administrator M Akram of fraudulently acquiring Rs 10 million from him under the pretext of allotting a lease for Lot No 11 in Mauza Malik.

The complainant claimed he delivered Rs 10 million to the officials on November 19, 2024 in the presence of four witnesses, but later on he came to know that the same plot had been sold to another party.

He stated that when he demanded an explanation, he was told to either accept his money back or agree to the transfer of the property to a new buyer designated by the officials. The complaint said the deal was never disclosed to the Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Ata-ur-Rehman, and a portion of the illicit funds is regularly shared with both the Chairman and the Board’s Secretary.

The applicant has demanded justice and immediate action against the accused officers. Talking to The News, the administrator stated that he had no knowledge of the application submitted by the complainant. Deputy Administrator Munir Ahmed denied receiving any amount. ETPB Secretary Farid Iqbal confirmed to The News that an inquiry has been initiated against the officials allegedly involved in corruption and fraud. He added that both the application and the complainant’s affidavit have been received to prevent any possibility of the complainant retracting the allegations.

The Secretary further said that once the new Chairman assumes office, an investigation officer will be appointed and action will be taken in accordance with the law. Right now the seat of Chairman is vaccant ,he concluded.