LAHORE – Without inviting tenders, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has leased 6-kanal land worth billions of rupees at throwaway price to a bidder in the Walton airport area, well-placed sources said on Sunday.
They said the officials, who were unhappy with the deal, brought the matter to the notice of defence secretary and CAA director general but to no avail. The sources alleged that the silence of the seniors depicted their connivance with the illegal deal.
On January 7, 2013, a letter issued from the CAA Headquarters Commercial and Marketing Department to the Lahore Walton Aerodrome General Manager reads: “Reference your letter WAP/492250/EST dated December 12, 2012 bases on recommendation of local quotation approval is accorded in favour of highest bidder M/S Rana Salahuddin against Rs50,000 per month.”
Moreover, the CAA prescribed space charges for a five-year period to establish and operate workshop on the premises.
CAA Insaf Workers Union Chairperson Ch Sanaullah Zia wrote to the defence secretary over the issue as the bidder took over the land, saying: “It is humbly submitted that possession of CAA land situated at Walton Aerodrome has been handed over to M / S Rana Salahuddin at meagre amount of Rs50,000 plus space charges in sheer contrast to actual market value/price. In fact, the land is situated at prime location and its worth has increased drastically especially after the construction of Arfa Kareem IT Centre opposite to it and MASS Rapid Bus Transport Road Network in front.”
However, the letter pointed out that referring the matter to CAA HQ for approval, the Walton Aerodrome GM “ignored above aspect with mala fide intentions which resulted into a great financial loss to CAA”.
He also called for action against officers involved in the deal. According to Zia, he received threatening calls after this letter.
Keeping in view location and worth of land in question it was responsibility of Walton Aerodrome GM to prepare feasibility after market evaluation. The deal was processed a few days before his retirement.
The sources claim that the deal struck in connivance with Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer Nadir Shafi Dar and GM Commercial (North) Malik Amjad Mukhtar.
When contacted, a CAA spokesman said that he was unaware of such a deal. However GM Malik Mukhtar said that they had endorsed the case on the recommendation of Walton Aerodrome GM Ghulam Mustafa Mirani. “We came to know later that the land housed a CAA store,” he said, adding deal will be cancelled as it is yet to be finalised.