As many as 300 kanals of state-owned land, worth more than Rs204 million, have been reclaimed from illegal occupants in different districts of the province following the direct intervention and directives of the Ombudsman Punjab. According to a spokesperson for the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab here on Tuesday, the recovered land belonged to various government departments and had remained under illegal occupation for a prolonged period.

Several unauthorized commercial shops had also been constructed on portions of the encroached land. The spokesperson said the departments concerned had previously made sustained efforts to evict the encroachers but failed to regain possession. Acting on complaints, the Ombudsman Punjab intervened and directed the relevant authorities to proceed under the law, resulting in the successful retrieval of the land through due legal process.

Prior to the operation, the land was properly identified and demarcated in accordance with legal requirements. The Ombudsman Punjab also instructed the departments concerned to adopt all necessary legal and administrative measures to ensure the recovered land remains protected against future encroachments.

Describing the operation as a significant achievement, the spokesperson said the action reflected the institution’s commitment to protecting public property, upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparent governance. He added that complainants and local residents widely appreciated the timely intervention of the Ombudsman Punjab, terming it an important step towards safeguarding public assets and preventing illegal occupation of government land.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)