Bureau Report
KHYBER: Former town member and ex–police liaison committee member Asad Khan Shinwari on Tuesday alleged that land mafia groups have illegally occupied his family’s properties and urged the citizens to avoid investing in disputed housing schemes in Regi Lalma area of Peshawar.
Speaking at a press conference, Asad Khan Shinwari said he and his family own properties in different parts of Pakistan, including land in Regi Lalma, where they have lawful documents of ownership legally transferred to him and his family members through registered agreements and full payments were made to previous owners. He displayed property documents before the media, claiming the records prove lawful ownership and possession.
He alleged that certain vested-interest groups and land mafia elements, allegedly with the help of a Peshawar-based Urdu newspaper Bureau chief, some officials and police personnel, were trying to grab his properties through false claims, fabricated cases and intimidation.
Shinwari further claimed that despite courts acquitting him in previous false cases, he faced repeated police summons, causing him mental torture.
Asad said some plots in Malik town, Benuri town, and Arbab town established within his land have been illegally sold to innocent buyers by land mafia groups, promising them housing schemes under various names without lawful ownership or possession rights.
Asad stated that he has filed legal petitions in the Peshawar High Court against certain police officials and land mafia involved, and that several related cases were currently pending in courts. He added that disputes regarding the schemes were also under hearing in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa environmental tribunal, while complaints have also been lodged with relevant authorities, including the Peshawar Development Authority, regarding the absence of mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the so-called townships.
Additionally, he said, cases against Malik town, Arbab town, and Banuri town established on his land in Regli lalma were also under hearing in the environmental tribunal. Legal actions have also been initiated against them in Town-3 authorities, cooperative Society offices, LUPKA, PDA and other relevant departments upon our applications.
He said complaints have also been filed against these fraudulent housing schemes for operating without obtaining the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in various relevant government departments.
A former town member said they have obtained court stay orders on all Khasra Jaat numbers in the area of Regi Lalma.
He further said applications have been submitted to senior civil and police officers, including Inspector General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and CCPO, seeking restoration of possession of the land and legal protection.
Shinwari urged citizens to verify ownership records, khasra Jaat numbers, and official documentation before purchasing plots in the aforesaid townships, adding that land under litigation could not be legally sold or developed. He also cautioned investors and construction companies against involvement in illegal projects, warning that legal action may follow. He said all the legal ownership documents were with him, and if anyone wanted to verify could contact him.
He emphasized that the matter was not based on personal enmity toward anyone but on the protection of constitutional and legal rights.
Asad Khan Shinwari appealed to government institutions and the judiciary to help restore possession of his lands, ensure justice and provide security and protection to him and his family members.
