Daily Times

Expressing solidarity with the people of Indian-held Kashmir, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Friday urged the international community to raise voice against the violation of human rights by Indian government in the occupied valley.

He said that the people of Kashmir have been struggling for their right of self-determination from last 60 years. Instead of agreeing to hold a plebiscite in the held Kashmir the Indian government amended its constitution and balkanized the occupied Kashmir. “This balkanization is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan and the international community, particularly those who upheld human rights,” he said.

Shah recalling the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan said it resulted in the disintegration of the USSR into different countries. Similarly, the occupation of Kashmir would also end up in disintegration of India, he said.

“The dream of a greater India is bound to shatter and root-cause of its shattering would be Kashmir and its valiant people,” he said and added the sacrifices of people of occupied Kashmir would soon bear fruit.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah with immediate effect has placed the services of Secretary Board of Revenue (BoR) Land Utilization department and Additional Director General Malir Development Authority (MDA) under suspension for illegally issuing challan for regularization of 159 acres cancelled land in District West.

The chief minister taking serious notice of issuance of a challan in favour of a private party for regularization of allotment of 159-acre ‘cancelled’ industrial land in District West by Secretary LU, BoR department Danish Saeed (BPS-20) has ordered suspension of his services with immediate effect.

On inquiry, the chief minister was told that Additional DG MDA Sohail Khan (BPS-19) had also a role in regularization allotment of land in District West; therefore, he also suspended his services, immediately.

The chief minister said that how LU department could issue a challan without calling a report from DC West and approval of the competent authority. He said that the land in question was a cancelled case not only by the department but through an Ordinance in 2000.

He ordered chief secretary Mumtaz Shah to transfer the entire staff of the LU department and post other staff in their place.

The chief minister directed Chairman Anti-Corruption Mohammad Waseem to conduct inquiry into the matter and report him within two days.

Meanwhile, the ACE conducted a raid on the office of the Secretary Land Utilization Department, Board of Revenue and seized the record.

The statement issued by the ACE department says, “Chief Ministers, Sindh has taken serious notice of illegal regularization of 159 Acres cancelled land K-28, Phase-II, Trans Lyari Quarters, Hawksbay Road, West-Karachi and has directed for constitution of an enquiry committee in Enquiries & Anticorruption Establishment and submission of enquiry report within two days without fail. Besides, the Chief Ministers has also ordered for placement of services of Danish Saeed, Member (Land Utilization) Board of Revenue and Mohammad Sohail Khan, Additional Director General, Malir Development Authority and all other offices/ officials who are involved in the instant matter under suspension. Moreover, all the officers/official have been directed to remain at their head quarter during the investigation. Major reshuffle shall be made in Land Utilization Department.

Minister for Enquiries & Anticorruption Establishment, Sindh has also emphasized for quick implementation of orders of the Chief Minister, Sindh in this letter and spirit.

Besides, raid has been conducted on the office of Secretary Land Utilisation Board of Revenue by the Anti-Corruption team. Office record has been seized and officers are being interrogated. Additionally, site office of the Builder in question at Hawksbay has also been sealed.