Resident Groups Concerned over Sale of Bahria Town Public Properties
Staff Report:
Islamabad: Residents Rights Advocacy Group has raised serious concerns over sale of public properties by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to give undue adjustment, favour, or benefit to Bahria Town (Pvt.) Ltd.
The group said that these actions are illegal, amounts to a breach of public trust, a violation of community rights, and a breach of the fundamental rights of the allottees and residents.
It also raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of NAB’s decision to include public properties in a process that ultimately benefits Bahria Town (Pvt.) Ltd.
The group further said that the prolonged inaction and inability of NAB over so many years—during which BTPL engaged in illegal activities including money laundering, land grabbing, and even defaulting on the payment owed to NAB under the negotiated plea bargain—speaks volumes about how the rights of the community, residents, consumers, and allottees are being been violated under the nose of powerful institutions like NAB, RDA, CDA, and other law enforcement bodies
Residents and Traders Unite Against Behria Town, IESCO, and NEPRA Collusion
This is in reference to the recent press advertisement issued by NAB under Section 33E of its Ordinance, 1999, whereby certain properties of Bahria Town have been notified for public auction against the amount payable by Bahria Town (Pvt.) Ltd. under their negotiated plea bargain default amount.
While the community living in Bahria Town is pleased to see some action being initiated despite numerous reported irregularities, excesses, overcharges, and atrocities committed by the Bahria Town Management against residents, allottees, and the broader community,
Residents Rights Advocacy in a letter to NAB said that it feels obligated to submit that some of the properties listed for sale are public properties/public places, as approved by the relevant authorities (CDA & RDA).
These include: 1. Bahria Town Corporate Offices – These offices are public places and should be used by RDA/CDA or the residents after the project is taken over by the relevant authorities, under the applicable laws. Whoever shall management the affairs, shall need these offices anyways.
Bahria Town International Academy – This was supposed to be a public school for the benefit of the community and should be handed over either to RDA/CDA or the residents free of any charge. It is currently being run on a commercial basis, and despite numerous complaints, RDA has failed to take any action. 3. Safari Club Phase 1 – This is clearly a community club and should be withdrawn from the auction and handed over to the community as a public place.
