05-14-2010, 12:30 PM
ISLAMABAD - Government has decided to get vacated the land on Highways either encroached or given on lease without bidding on throughway prices by Musharraf’s government which has caused loss of billions to the National Highway Authority (NHA).
Informed sources in Ministry of Communication confirmed that the lands were encroached or given on lease in the past regime and now the government is in progress to chalk out a plan to get the land vacated and give it through open bidding for ensuring transparency.
The documents available with TheNation reveal that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet was informed by the Ministry of Communication that NHA is in the process of finalisation of inventory of its assets alongside the NHA network. After availability of this inventory possibly within 90 days, appropriate location would be earmarked by NHA for recreational facilities at a distance of 20-25 km alongside the NHA network through a transparent bidding process. For, the removal of encroachments, provincial government of Balochistan has delegated magisterial powers to two officers of NHA. Similarly, the remaining provinces are requested to delegate these powers to the officers nominated by NHA.
Moreover, according to the Chairman NHA, Ch Altaf, “All encroachments will be removed and all land which has been given by previous regimes without following any legal formality shall be cancelled. Even if the land is leased properly prior to 2006 and the lessee has not developed its facility will also be removed”.
Informed sources in Ministry of Communication confirmed that the lands were encroached or given on lease in the past regime and now the government is in progress to chalk out a plan to get the land vacated and give it through open bidding for ensuring transparency.
The documents available with TheNation reveal that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet was informed by the Ministry of Communication that NHA is in the process of finalisation of inventory of its assets alongside the NHA network. After availability of this inventory possibly within 90 days, appropriate location would be earmarked by NHA for recreational facilities at a distance of 20-25 km alongside the NHA network through a transparent bidding process. For, the removal of encroachments, provincial government of Balochistan has delegated magisterial powers to two officers of NHA. Similarly, the remaining provinces are requested to delegate these powers to the officers nominated by NHA.
Moreover, according to the Chairman NHA, Ch Altaf, “All encroachments will be removed and all land which has been given by previous regimes without following any legal formality shall be cancelled. Even if the land is leased properly prior to 2006 and the lessee has not developed its facility will also be removed”.