State to end illegal occupation of public land as decisive crackdown begins: Talal Chaudhry

FAISALABAD, May 01 (APP):State Minister for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry on Friday announced a decisive nationwide strategy to eliminate illegal occupation of state land and said that no individual, group or company would be allowed to defy the law as the government moved to firmly re-establish the writ of the state.
Addressing a press conference here, he said that the government had taken a clear and irreversible decision to act against encroachments, lease violations and unlawful use of public assets across the country including the federal capital. “The era of selective enforcement is over. The law will apply equally to all whether it is a slum dweller or the owner of a multi-billion-rupee project”, he said, adding that no individual, group or corporate entity, regardless of its political influence, financial strength or administrative connections, would be allowed to remain above the law.
Referring to the recent developments in the high-profile “One Constitutional Avenue” case in Islamabad, the state minister said that the latest court verdict had once again reaffirmed the state’s resolve to act against illegal occupants and regulatory violations without discrimination.
He termed the case an example of how influential elements had, for nearly two decades, exploited legal loopholes, delays and connections to challenge state authority.
Talal Chaudhry said that it had become necessary to place all facts before the public amid circulating reports about the project so that the people could understand how national resources were allegedly misused over the years.
He explained that the project originated in 2005 when the government leased prime land in Islamabad for construction of a five-star hotel and serviced apartments to cater to foreign delegations and international events.
He said that a consortium comprising Bismillah Group, Niagara Group and Paragon Group—collectively known as BNP—acquired the land for approximately Rs4.8 billion. However, the consortium later violated multiple clauses of the lease agreement, altered the project’s intended purpose and attempted to use the land for commercial gains beyond the approved scope.
He said that the land was transferred to another entity “Elite Home Fashion” through questionable means while the company’s name was changed in official records to obscure liabilities.
Instead of constructing a hotel as required, the developers built 253 residential apartments in clear violation of the lease terms, he added.
The state minister further revealed that the land was mortgaged to Bank of Punjab to secure a loan of around Rs3.5 billion despite incomplete payments, after which the company defaulted, pushing the matter into legal and financial disputes, including proceedings before accountability institutions.
He said that the company repeatedly ignored notices issued by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and even got its payment schedule rescheduled twice while continuing to defy legal and regulatory obligations. “They mistook the state’s patience for weakness, but that situation has now changed”, he added.
Tracing the legal history, Talal Chaudhry said that the Federal Investigation Agency initiated an inquiry into the matter in 2015, followed by multiple court proceedings.
In 2016, the CDA cancelled the lease and took over possession of the project after due process. Subsequent rulings by the Islamabad High Court upheld the CDA’s stance, with the latest judgment marking the fourth major legal endorsement of the government’s position, he added.
Rejecting claims that the property was recently “seized”, he clarified that the CDA had been in possession of the building since 2023 and recent actions were aimed at implementing court orders and informing the public.
He said that out of 253 illegally constructed apartments, 184 were currently vacant, reflecting widespread awareness of the project’s disputed legal status.
The state minister said that the land—spread over more than 13 acres in a prime location—was now valued at approximately Rs250 billion, far exceeding its earlier assessed worth of Rs17.5 billion. “Such a massive national asset cannot be allowed to be exploited for private gain”, he added.
He said that influential individuals and powerful networks were involved in the case and hinted that revelations about those responsible would “astonish the nation”.
He maintained that all those found involved in wrongdoing would be held accountable without exception.
Talal Chaudhry said that several third-party buyers and investors had been affected due to alleged fraud by the developers.
He announced that the government had established a “one-window grievance cell” to facilitate such individuals, where claims would be processed in accordance with court decisions.
He said that disputes involving contractors, marketing firms, banks and partners had further complicated the case, turning it into a prolonged legal battle.
However, he stressed that the current government was determined to conclude such matters decisively and restore confidence in the rule of law.
Highlighting the broader implications, he said that illegal concessions to select entities had damaged Pakistan’s investment climate by undermining fair competition. “When one party is given undue advantage, genuine investors lose trust. That must end”, he added.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, the state minister said that enforcement actions against illegal occupants and misuse of public land would continue across Pakistan. “Without establishing writ of the state, there can be no sustainable development, investment or public confidence”, he said, adding that the time had come to end the long-standing nexus of power and illegality once and for all.