The Sindh government has planned to allocate 9,000 acres of forest land to Pakistan Army. Reportedly, the land will be allocated in Shikarpur District and will be distributed among the heirs of martyrs and those injured in various conflicts.
Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah took the decision to allocate the land to the army in a meeting at CM House on June 19, 2015. The chief minister revealed that the military had asked for 35,521 acres of land in 2001, however, the case had remained undecided since. He said since the request for the allocation of land had been made for the convalescence of the heirs of martyrs and war-injured soldiers, the request was acceptable.
Shah added that the army had recently retrieved 5,000 acres of the land in question from illegal occupation of land mafia.
According to Forest Minister Gianchand Israni, of a total 25,000 acres of forest land, 9,000 acres was available for allocation and the department had no objection over it.
“I believe this is a promising move by the Sindh government to allocate the land, as it will be used for the rehabilitation of the families of martyrs. But the decision coming at the heels of Rangers’ action against land-grabbers in Karachi leaves one wondering,” a real estate market expert told Zameen.com.
Regardless of the rumour mills, we must consider the positives. The allocation of land is bound to help the families of personnel sacrificing their lives for their countrymen’ safety and leave them with a token of appreciation for their invaluable services.
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What ever are the circumstances forcing Sindh Government to allot the land to Army, it must be looked as a positive gesture in support of Martyr’s families. They will certainly make best use of it. May it be cultivation or else.
All the provinces including Sindh has got a lot of Barren / redundant / unused land, part of which must also be disbursed among the small farmers. Entire country shall reap its fruit.