The Prime Minister has established a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the controversial Port Qasim land deal, valued at Rs. 60 billion.
The alleged scam was recently brought to light by Senator Faisal Vawda, who claimed that 500 acres of land in Port Qasim were allotted at a significantly lower price, despite their market value exceeding Rs. 60 billion.
According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the high-level inquiry committee will be led by Brigadier (Retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission. The other members include the Intelligence Bureau Director and FIA Director, Syed Shahid Hassan.
The committee has been tasked with evaluating the legal strategy of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to vacate the stay orders against the lease cancellation, which had been in effect for 12 years. It will also examine the factors considered by the PQA Board in opting for an out-of-court settlement with the litigant, including any legal opinions that supported this decision.
Additionally, the committee will investigate whether the PQA conducted a revaluation of the land cost before proceeding with the settlement and whether current market land values were taken into account. It will also determine why the out-of-court settlement offer was not withdrawn when the litigant refused to accept it. Furthermore, the committee will identify any procedural or governance lapses that may have caused delays in the matter.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs will provide secretarial support and notify the committee, which is required to submit its findings within two weeks for the Prime Minister’s review.
Senator Faisal Vawda, who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, had raised concerns about the alleged illegal allotment and sale of the 500 acres of land during a committee meeting.
The Senate committee had issued instructions to freeze all land leased by the ports. During the meeting, Senator Vawda referred to newspaper reports, reiterating that the market value of the land exceeded Rs. 60 billion but was allegedly allotted at a much lower price.
