Senate body orders fair revaluation of ETPB properties leased at low rents

ISLAMABAD: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Less Developed Areas expressed serious concern that many Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) properties were leased out at very low monthly rents and instructed the Board to carry out a comprehensive reassessment and fair revaluation of these assets.

The Sub-Committee met on Friday under the convenership of Senator Danesh Kumar. The meeting was attended by Senator Nadeem Bhutto, Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the Additional Secretary, and other senior officers of the ETPB.

At the outset, Convener Senator Danesh Kumar directed the ETPB officials to brief the committee on the criteria and mechanisms through which the department generates its revenue. The members of the Sub-Committee expressed serious concern that numerous ETPB properties had been leased out at disproportionately low monthly rental values. After it, the chair instructed the Board to undertake a comprehensive reassessment and fair revaluation of these assets.

??During the briefing, the ETPB representative informed the committee that surveys of various properties had been completed and rents reassessed accordingly. Based on these surveys, rental values are expected to increase by up to 460 percent. The officials added that certain aspects of the matter were linked to ongoing judicial proceedings; therefore, progress was being carried out gradually and strictly in line with legal requirements.

While reviewing the agenda, Convener Danesh Kumar expressed displeasure over the delayed submission of the working paper, noting that the timely provision of documents would have enabled the committee to conduct a more detailed examination ahead of the meeting.

Danesh Kumar directed the ETPB to submit a complete record of all properties under its management, along with details of the total revenue generated from these assets, before the next meeting.

Highlighting the importance of the ETPB’s mandate, Senator Danesh Kumar underscored that the restoration and maintenance of temples, gurdwaras, and other heritage sites play a vital role in projecting Pakistan’s positive soft image globally.

Speaking about Balochistan, he noted that the Hinglaj Mata Mandir is the second-largest Hindu religious pilgrimage site after India. He informed the committee that one temple in Balochistan has recently been handed over to the Sikh community, while an ancient Mandir in Zhob had been restored and returned to the Hindu community. He further shared that a local Imam had participated in the inauguration ceremony, presenting an exemplary gesture of interfaith harmony.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025