ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad/ Rawalpindi region recovered encroached land of Pakistan Railways (PR) worth over Rs90 billion in the federal capital.
In a press release issued on Thursday, NAB said it had constituted a special task force to safeguard and retrieve land belonging to PR and as a result of its coordinated and sustained efforts a total of 1,395 kanals and three marlas, having an estimated value of Rs91.234 billion, has been retrieved and handed over to PR.
The recovered land is situated in the revenue estates of Islamabad, including Bhulkar, Phulak, Lok and LoiBher.
‘NAB Chairman retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed and Director General Islamabad/Rawalpindi Mohammad Rizwan Khan have continued to emphasise the protection of government assets and the recovery of national wealth.
‘NAB remains committedtopursuingitseffortsfor the protection of national assets and the recovery of public resources in the larger national interest,’ a NAB spokesman said.
Builder arrested Meanwhile, NAB arrested a real estate builder Mubasher Hayat on the charge of cheating thepublic through different ventures, including EarthLink Developments.
The suspect was produced before an accountability court, which granted his physical remand to NAB for further investigation.
According to NAB, the investigation revealed that the suspect induced people to invest in various projects in Islamabad and Rawalpindi by offering shops, hotel suites and apartments, along with promised discounts and rental returns.
The projects launched by the suspect included The Grande Paradise, The Grande Hotel, The Leaf, The Piano and EarthLink Towers.
During the years 2020-2025, substantial amounts were allegedly collected from the public for investment in these ventures.
NAB Rawalpindi had received over 270 claims from the affected persons, involving an aggregate amount of approximately Rs2.8bn. The claimants were being called for recording of statements and verification of their claims.
The suspect has also been placed on the Passport Control List (PCL), while his properties located in different parts of the country have been frozen.
Further investigation is underway to trace the alleged misappropriated funds, identify other persons involved and determine their roles.