ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau has widened its investigation into suspected corruption linked to the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project after an initial inquiry reportedly uncovered evidence of extensive fraud, illegal land allotments, and forged records involving billions of rupees.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the preliminary inquiry has now been upgraded into a full-scale investigation following findings that pointed to serious irregularities in the distribution of plots under the rehabilitation scheme.
Investigators allege that fake allotment files, unlawful land occupation through so-called “China cutting,” and forged official documents were used to manipulate the project. During multiple raids, NAB teams reportedly recovered thousands of plot-related files and supporting records.
Sources claimed that nearly two-thirds of the seized documents included counterfeit allotment letters allegedly carrying forged signatures of land department officials and executive engineers.
As part of the ongoing probe, six individuals including government officials allegedly connected to the case have reportedly been placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), restricting them from travelling abroad.
The investigation has also revealed allegations that approximately 20 acres reserved for the resettlement project were illegally transferred and sold to private individuals. Officials further suspect that large-scale fraud affecting the public exchequer took place during the execution of the scheme.
The resettlement initiative was jointly financed by the federal and Sindh governments, with Islamabad contributing 67 percent of the total funding while the provincial government covered the remaining 33 percent.
Separately, the inquiry team has reportedly recommended launching another investigation into alleged financial mismanagement worth nearly Rs8 billion connected to the same project.
