VEHARI - The grabbers allegedly patronised by PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana are unwilling to let Ashiana Housing Scheme in Vehari complete to save their vested interest.
The Punjab government allocated the land for the scheme in the slum areas and related recreational park called Zafar Colony Park. The total area of the scheme is more than 10 acre including the park. The authorities decided that the park will be included in the scheme because there is another park namely Faisal Park for the locality.
The revenue department completed a report on November 25, 2011 about the current status of the land. The report mentioned that the land is suitable for the Ashiana Housing Scheme as this is the centre of the city. The report also revealed that M Khalid, M Rafiq are the unlawful possessors of the 87 canal and 16 marla land. Before the declaration of Ashiana Housing Scheme, the land was given to the Punjab Privatisation Board for auction but Khalid got a stay orders from the court.
According to the report, total area of the scheme including the park is 125 canals and 18 Marlas but the 87 canal and 16 Marlas was cultivated by possessors.
The report was jointly compiled by the patwari and tehsildar concerned. Now, the grabbers who allegedly have strong affiliations with Tehmina Daultana, PML-N MNA from NA 169, decided to declare the park as a useful place for the locality. Thus, the PML-N leader asked the DCO to get renovation work started in the park to create hurdles for the scheme. One department is declaring the park useless while the other one is spending money on the renovation of the park. To a question the Vehari TMO said that DCO Ihsan Bhutta ordered to complete the park on emergency basis. According to TMA record, district development committee session regarding the park was held on Sep 19, 2011 while a tender for the scheme finalised on Dec 2, 2011.