Illegal allotment of govt land in Thatta: NAB hails TI-P’s role in promoting transparency

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has appreciated the vigilance, commitment, and constructive role of Transparency International Pakistan (TI-P) in promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The acknowledgement was conveyed in a letter from NAB to the Chairman of TI-P regarding the long-standing issue of 5,222 acres of land leased for 99 years, which had originally been highlighted by TI-P in a letter dated October 19, 2015.

According to NAB, a formal inquiry was initiated under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999 against officials of the Revenue Department, Government of Sindh, as well as Nasir Abdullah Hussain Lootha, Chairman of Summit Bank Limited, and others. The case pertained to allegations of corruption, corrupt practices, and the illegal allotment of 5,222 acres of government land located in Deh Kohistan, District Thatta.

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NAB further stated that, as a result of sustained efforts by its Karachi office, the land has been resumed and its possession taken over by the Government of Sindh. The land is situated within the operational wind energy corridor at Deh Kohistan, Tapo Jhimpir, Taluka Thatta, underscoring its significant economic value.

The Land Utilisation Department had earlier noted that the Scrutiny Committee could not formulate specific recommendations regarding the feasibility of the project due to the absence of supporting documents. However, it assessed the market price of the land at Rs200,000 per acre. It further suggested that any lease, if considered, should be at market value or at rates not less than prescribed thresholds, depending on the size and nature of plots under incremental housing schemes.

Sources revealed that the market value of the 5,222 acres is estimated at around Rs5,000 billion. The land had previously been cancelled by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by TI-P; however, it was reportedly re-allotted by the Government of Sindh to a UAE national.

In a notable development, NAB’s recent letter of appreciation comes after a press statement issued by the Chairman NAB on April 30, 2026 against TI-P. Sources indicate that the Chairman has since acknowledged the earlier stance as a mistake and conveyed appreciation to the organisation a few days ago.

“This Bureau highly appreciates the vigilance, commitment and constructive role played by Transparency International Pakistan in promoting transparency, accountability and rule of law. Your efforts in highlighting this matter of public importance are duly acknowledged and valued,” NAB stated in its letter to the TI-P Chairman.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026