A parliamentary panel Thursday directed Pakistan Air Force to hand over the possession of 76 kanals of land situated in Lahore, which was converted into a housing society by the PAF, to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The sub-committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) met here under the chairpersonship of Member of National Assembly Munazza Hassan. While discussing and reviewing audit paras of the CAA for the year 2012-13, the panel said that the matter pointed out by national auditors will be considered settled if PAF gives possession of land to CAA.

The committee on the request of secretary aviation directed PAF to return 76 kanals of land to CAA and settled the para.

Secretary Aviation Shah Rukh Nusrat apprised the committee that no land of CAA was forcibly occupied by the PAF. He said the land for housing society was legally purchased but later it was noted in demarcation that 76 kanals of land of CAA was mistakenly in possession of PAF and the matter was amicably settled.

The PAC members expressed surprise that the land had been converted into a housing scheme in 2006-07 and since then no action has been taken against the officials responsible for causing loss to national exchequer. The report said that in 2006 PAF had got possession of 19.21 acres of land of CAA at Walton Aerodrome for specific installations but later the land was converted into a housing society.

According to an audit report on the Aviation Division by Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), it was revealed that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) converted the land acquired for "national security" into a housing scheme, causing a loss of Rs 1.92 billion to the national exchequer.

The report submitted to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) stated: "During audit it was found out that Civil Aviation Authority (GM Walton Aerodrome Lahore) could not get CAA land vacated at Walton Aerodrome measuring 19.21 acres from PAF that "forcibly" occupied the land in 2006-07 on the pretext of national security and for setting up radar. However, the same land was sold out to members of Pak Falcon Society for which every member had paid the cost of land and development charges. This resulted in unjustified/unauthorized occupation of CAA land valuing Rs1.921 billion."

It further added that the departmental accounts committee (DAC) had referred the audit para to the PAC in December 2012 and also directed the CAA to provide original title of allotment of land to the PAF for setting up radar.

In a meeting held on January 18, 2019, the CAA informed the DAC that the issue of land between the authority and PAF was under process for settlement through proper adjustments. However, it said, the issue was being taken up with the PAF for return of the unilaterally occupied land or carrying out necessary adjustment/compensation with mutual consent.

The DAC, however, was not convinced with the CAA reply and submitted the audit para to the PAC for discussion and decision. The audit report suggested that "PAC may like to take appropriate action for unauthorized occupation and utilization of CAA land."

The CAA officials informed the PAC that the area in question is already out of bounds for civilians and, therefore, the land could not be used for residential or commercial purpose.

However, the same land of CAA was sold to members of Pak Falcon Society with each member paying the cost of land and development charges, it added. The audit said that the CAA failed to get vacated their land worth Rs. 1.9 billion.

It was also mentioned that the CAA board in its meeting took note of the issue and directed that concerned airport manager be held responsible.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019