Staff Reporter
Lahore
Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Bashart has taken serious notice of alleged embezzlements in the properties of the Cooperatives Department Punjab and said that responsible elements would be accounted for and the lands would be transparently auctioned after evacuated from illegal occupiers. Moreover grievances of the affected persons of the cooperatives scandal would also be redressed.
He was chairing the first meeting of the special committee set up by the CM to oversee the issues of Punjab Cooperatives Liquidation Board (PCLB). Provincial Minister for Cooperatives Mohammad Aslam Bharwana, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Law, Secretary Cooperatives, Chairperson and Secretary PCLB and other officers were also present. A detailed review of the properties and other matters of the Board was taken at the meeting. Raja Bashart said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had issued clear instructions that the state lands should be freed from illegal occupants and used for the public welfare.
He called for effective follow-up of pending cases in the courts. He also expressed concern over the fact that the Supreme Court was holding Rs 5 billion for want of liabilities amounting Rs. 700 to 800 million. He directed the department to pay the liabilities and use the remaining billions for public interest. The Law Minister directed the Punjab Police to provide all possible assistance to end the illegal occupation of the cooperatives’ properties. He said that immediate action should be initiated for the transparent auction of 99 properties free from litigation and illegal occupation.
He further desired to form separate legal teams for the higher and lower courts to ensure quick disposal of pending cases of PCLB. Raja directed the public authorities to put up the draft required for legislative amendments without any further delay. Earlier, the Secretary PCLB said that during the last six months, they had traced embezzlements worth Rs. 150 billions.