ISLAMABAD: A committee, comprising representatives from the Islamabad district administration and police, received 40 applications regarding land grabbing and disposed of 26 of the cases during the last one month.

Four cases were registered, 12 complaints settled through agreements among contesting parties and police were directed for prompt action on six complaints. Moreover, four complaints were termed of civil nature and the remaining 14 applications are being reviewed by the committee, a police spokesperson told Dawn.

Meanwhile, automation of land record with the support of the Punjab government will be completed within a few months due to which incidents of land grabbing will be minimised.

Land grabbing has become one of the major issues in the federal capital and even overseas Pakistanis hesitate investing in property. On the other hand, a number of retired employees, senior citizens and widows have been running from pillar to post to get possession of their land and plots.

Police say 12 complaints settled through agreements and 14 others are being reviewed

The Anti-Land Grabbing Committee was notified by the district administration and it included Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Kamran Cheema and Additional Superintendent of Police Farhat Abbas Kazmi. Police and revenue officers also coordinate with the committee for timely assistance.

An official of the district administration, requesting anonymity, said it was observed that incidents of land grabbing were either not reported or under-reported as both the police and revenue departments used to pass on the responsibility of addressing the issue to each other.

“So it was decided to establish a committee having representation of both police and revenue department. It has been performing well and hopefully a large number of cases will be addressed in upcoming months,” he said.

Chief Commissioner Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed told Dawn that the establishment of the committee was one of the two steps to address the issue of land grabbing.

“We are also working on automation of the land record with the support of the Punjab government and within a few months we will be in a position to identify the land owned by citizens through the computerised record. The issue is very close to the heart of Prime Minister Imran Khan as a large number of people, including overseas Pakistanis, hesitate to invest in property due to frequent incidents of land grabbing across the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanveer said the police and the district administration were taking action to address citizens’ complaints on immediate basis.

He said weekly meetings of the committee were held after receiving the complaints and the process would continue to provide relief to the citizens.

The SSP said disputes of civil nature were forwarded to the relevant forums while cases were registered for immediate action in case grabbing was proved. Moreover, complainants are provided protection and prompt action is ensured in case of any law and order situation.

313 suspects arrested

According to a statement, the police nabbed hundreds of criminals besides recovery of valuables worth millions of rupees and narcotics from them during the last two weeks.

The SSP said 83 people allegedly involved in crime related to property were held besides recovery of valuables worth Rs26.87 million from them.

He said police also nabbed 30 suspects involved in 23 robberies and recovered snatched valuables from them. A total of 24 burglary/theft cases were resolved besides arrest of 31 burglars. Police arrested 22 car and bike lifters and recovered eight stolen cars and motorbikes.

During a special crackdown, police also rounded up 98 proclaimed offenders and court absconders. The proclaimed offenders were wanted in cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery and snatching valuables.

The SSP said police also apprehended 42 people for possessing illegal weapons and recovered one rifle, 35 pistols,116 rounds and six daggers from them.

Moreover, 51 people were held for having narcotics and liquor while 51 cases were registered against them besides recovery of 20 kg hashish, 1.8 kg heroin, 420 gram ice, 55 gram opium and 223 liquor bottles.

The police also held 24 people allegedly involved in six cases and 20 others wanted in other cases, including immoral activities.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2021