QUETTA: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has announced the recovery of over one million acres of state forest land, valued at approximately Rs1.3 trillion, following an extensive eight-month province-wide operation.
In a major crackdown on land grabbers, NAB conducted the campaign in close coordination with the Board of Revenue and local Deputy Commissioners. The retrieved land, seized from illegal occupants, has now been formally handed over to the Balochistan Forest Department for management and protection.
To ensure a lasting solution and address root causes, the provincial government has established Forest Settlement Boards in every district and Forest Tribunals at the divisional level.
A senior NAB officer stated that these new institutions are designed to resolve future land disputes fairly and transparently. “These institutions will help resolve disputes related to land ownership and usage in a fair and transparent manner, while safeguarding community rights,” the officer added.
Also read: PAC threatens NAB action against Energy Department BalochisatnbALOCHISTAN
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a strong warning of strict accountability for the Energy Department after uncovering massive financial mismanagement and irregularities amounting to billions of rupees.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen, audit officials revealed shocking details. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the department received Rs. 10.4 billion but let Rs. 2.31 billion lapse without being used, drawing fierce criticism from lawmakers for irresponsible budgeting.
The committee discovered that a staggering Rs. 40 billion was paid to power companies (K-Electric and QESCO) for tube well subsidies without any meter readings, based purely on estimates. Members condemned this as “open malpractice” and “sheer looting.”
Furthermore, it was revealed that landlords owe QESCO Rs. 500 billion and government departments owe Rs. 54 billion in unpaid electricity bills. Despite these colossal unpaid sums and the department continuing to make payments, many areas outside Quetta receive only 3-4 hours of electricity per day.
