The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated a formal investigation into alleged multi-billion-rupee irregularities linked to the Lyari Expressway resettlement project following the completion of a preliminary inquiry.
The inquiry revealed evidence of illegal plot allotments, unauthorized “China cutting” of land parcels, and forged land allotment orders within the resettlement scheme, a joint initiative by the federal and Sindh governments. NAB teams conducted raids, seizing thousands of plot files and related documents during the investigation.
Approximately 65 percent of the confiscated files contained allegedly counterfeit allotment orders, which bore signatures of assistant directors of land and executive engineers. Furthermore, six individuals, including government officials suspected of involvement, have been placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).
The bureau also uncovered that roughly 20 acres of land designated for the project were fraudulently sold to third parties. Evidence of widespread fraud affecting members of the public emerged as part of the probe.
The resettlement scheme was designed to rehabilitate families displaced by the construction of the Lyari Expressway in Karachi. Under the project framework, the federal government was responsible for 67 percent of the funding, while the Sindh government covered the remaining 33 percent.
In a significant development, investigators have recommended launching a separate inquiry into additional alleged irregularities valued at 8 billion rupees related to the project.
