Lahore: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) decided to launch a campaign against illegal housing societies situated in Punjab, a news source reported. As per officials, the authority began preparing a list of societies involved in illegal activities. ACE would present this list to the provincial government prior to commencing with the operation.
Previously, the ACE Rawalpindi had launched a crackdown against three illegal societies located in Kalar Kahar. These societies did not have their plans approved from the district council of Chakwal nor did they obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the environment department.
Moreover, the managements of these societies had promised to plant 25,000 trees within the premises. Instead, they had cut down green cover in their areas to make room for their construction, which led to environmental degradation. They had also damaged a mountain, making the area prone to landslides.
Director General (DG) ACE Muhammad Gohar Nafees said that illegal societies had cost major financial losses to the national exchequer. They were not paying the finance department their dues. On each transfer, a percentage of the income has to be deposited with the Revenue Department. Such societies avoid doing so by not changing the entitlement. The amount owed is worth millions of rupees for societies in Lahore alone.
Land grabbing was another crime various society owners were guilty of. The DG said that the crackdown would bring back stolen wealth of the public.
The Planning and Development Board have been asked to the provide ACE with information regarding all development schemes taking place in Punjab.
