Transparency International Pakistan’s Oversight Efforts Result in Corruption Case and Recovery of 5,222 Acres of Illegally Allotted Agricultural Land
Whistleblowing is often associated with individuals exposing wrongdoing from within institutions. However, civil society organizations can also play a critical whistleblowing role by providing safe channels for citizens to report suspected corruption, reviewing available evidence, and bringing credible concerns to the attention of public authorities. Transparency International Pakistan’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) serves as one such mechanism, helping transform public concerns into formal accountability processes.
More than a decade ago in 2015, TI Pakistan took up a complaint regarding the illegal conversion of 5,222 acres of agriculture land for development of commercial building project approximately worth (PKR 1200 Billion) in 2015 by the Govt of Sindh to Mr. Nasir Abdullah Hussain Lootha a UAE based businessman. The provincial government had leased the prime agricultural land in 2015 for merely Rs15 million to benefit a businessman. The sale of state land illegally for the benefit of an individual amounted to abuse of authority and misappropriation of public resources. TI Pakistan also pointed out this unauthorized allocation and submitted a plea to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Subsequently, the complaint was taken up by the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan in case No. H.R.C 16115-S of 2015 in 2015[1].
The Land utilization department had determined that the Scrutiny Committee could not formulate specific recommendations on the feasibility of project and determined the market price of Rs.200,000/- per acres. It further suggested that any lease, if considered, should be at market value or at rates not less than prescribed thresholds, depending on the size and nature of plots under incremental housing schemes[2].
Recently, a formal inquiry was initiated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under the under the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 against officials of the Revenue Department, Government of Sindh as well as Mr. Nasir Abdullah Hussain Lootha and others for corrupt practices and illegal allotment of 5,222 acres of government land. As a result of this inquiry, the land has been recovered and given in possession to the Government of Sindh.
It is also important to note that the land in question is situated within the operational wind energy corridor in Jhimpir area, District Thatta. It is estimated that the current value of the land of 5,222 acres is around PKR 5000 Billion, underscoring its significant economic value. (Read Full Story)
Strengthening Environmental Governance in Pakistan A Landmark Victory for Glacier Protection
Pakistan possesses one of the largest concentrations of glaciers outside the polar regions, with over 7,000 glaciers spanning its mountainous northern areas. These glaciers are a critical component of the country’s water security, feeding the Indus River system that sustains agriculture, livelihoods, and urban water supply across Pakistan. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is home to approximately 3,050 glaciers, particularly in districts such as Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kaghan, and Naran.
The glaciers play a vital role in maintaining local ecosystems and regulating regional climate patterns. However, they also face mounting threats from climate change, rising global temperatures, and illegal commercial extraction of glacial ice, which exacerbates glacier melt and contributes to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), biodiversity loss, and freshwater depletion.
In July 2024, Transparency International Pakistan’s Legal Advice Centre took up a complaint with the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting alarming reports of illegal glacier cutting and transportation of glacial ice for commercial sale. TI Pakistan highlighted that illegal activities were in contravention to The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Change Policy 2022, and The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act, 2014.
The complaint underscored the ecological and hydrological importance of the glaciers, the absence of legal framework around the protection of glaciers, one that ensures strict enforcement of glaciers protection and penalities for violators, as well as the urgency of legal and administrative action. TI Pakistan recommended the need to adopt international best practices such as Tajikistan’s 2024 Glacier Protection Law.
The issue gained further momentum after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC), demanding legislative and administrative action to ban illegal glacial cutting and ensure the long-term preservation of glaciers. This marked a significant development in environmental advocacy, demonstrating the power of civic action in shaping judicial and policy responses. (Read Full Story)
Combating Corruption in the Construction Sector
The real estate sector is a keystone of economic growth worldwide, often serving as a primary vehicle for investment and wealth accumulation for certain classes of the society. However, this sector is also highly susceptible to corruption, money laundering, and regulatory violations. A 2017 report by Transparency International titled “Doors Wide Open” highlights how corrupt individuals and criminals can easily purchase luxurious properties anonymously, facilitating money laundering in the real estate sector (Transparency International, 2017).
In many countries, including Pakistan, corrupt practices within real estate not only distort the economy but also widen socioeconomic disparities. The absence and non-implementation of strict regulatory enforcement allows black money to be funneled into real estate, inflating property prices and making homeownership increasingly unattainable for low and middle-income sections of the society.
The construction sector in Pakistan contributes over 2.5% to the GDP (Challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s real estate Sector – Perspectives – Business Recorder). However, often the weak enforcement by the oversight bodies have given way to the corrupt practices in the construction sector. A notable example is Nasla Tower, a 15-story high-rise built illegally along Karachi’s main Shahrah-e-Faisal and subsequently ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, to be demolished.
Such unchecked developments not only compromise the urban landscape but also leave homebuyers vulnerable to financial losses. Many citizens unknowingly invest their savings in unapproved projects, only to face demolitions, legal disputes, or loss of ownership. Recognizing this critical issue, Transparency International Pakistan’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) caters such complaints to provide necessary legal advice to the victims of different forms of corruption in the construction sector. (Read Full Story)
Climate Justice: Advocacy for Effective Climate Governing Institutions, Addressing the Needs of the Communities Disproportionately Affected by the Climate Crisis
The effects of climate change disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, exacerbating social inequalities and underscoring the urgent need for inclusive climate action. In Pakistan, climate-induced disasters have inflicted losses worth billions of dollars, particularly in marginalized areas. Despite the establishment of national policies and the Climate Change Act of 2017 aimed at addressing these issues, effective implementation and responsive institutions remained absent. This gap has prompted civil society, led by Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan) to advocate for improved governance, transparency, and accountability to better protect vulnerable communities from the disastrous impacts of climate change.
In April 2023, TI Pakistan launched its Climate Governance Integrity Program (CGIP), marking a significant step forward in the fight for inclusive and transparent climate action. The program tackles a critical challenge: promoting inclusion and transparency in Pakistan’s climate governance frameworks. Through CGIP, TI Pakistan actively engages stakeholders including civil society organizations, citizens, public officials, journalists, and media to advocate for reforms that ensure a more robust, inclusive and transparent approach to tackling climate change. (Read Full Story)
From Vulnerability to Resilience: Sindh’s Climate Finance Success Story
Pakistan, like many other nations, is grappling with the harsh realities of climate change. Pakistan faces a heightened risk of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves, which are exacerbated by climate change and is ranked as the 8th most vulnerable countries to climate change. These events not only pose a significant threat to human lives but also impact agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure.
In the face of increasing climate vulnerability, particularly in the province of Sindh, Pakistan, a remarkable success story emerged through a commitment to transparency and responsible governance. It is essential to acknowledge that corruption exacerbates the adverse effects of climate change on local communities. When funds intended for climate adaptation and mitigation measures are diverted through corrupt practices, it hinders the province’s ability to effectively address the pressing environmental challenges it faces, leaving vulnerable communities even more exposed to the impacts of climate change.(Read Full Story)
Fighting Corruption in the Public Sector
Corruption is a significant issue that affects government sand societies worldwide, including both developing and the developed world. Corruption hampers the overall development of a country and has far-reaching consequences. Corrupt practices prioritize personal interests of individuals in positions of power over the welfare of ordinary citizens. This leads to negative impact son the economy, impedes progress, and restricts access to essential services like healthcare and education, particularly for vulnerable populations.
In countries where corruption is prevalent, public trust in the government is often low. Thereby, it becomes imperative to safeguard taxpayer funds from being wasted due to corrupt practices. It is in this context that Transparency International Pakistan established Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) for more than a decade ago to provide platform to the victims, witnesses and whistleblowers of corruption to safely report corrupt practices. ALAC has reached out to 1000s of people across Pakistan and intervened on their behalf to seek redress for their grievances.
One such example is the case of corrupt practices in the Legal Directorate of Lahore Electric Supply Corporation(LESCO). On 10th May 2023, ALAC Pakistan received a whistleblower complaint regarding favoritism and corruption in the award of legal cases of Lahore Electric Supply Corporation (LESCO) to the selected lawyers by the Legal Directorate of the LESCO. The complainant alleged that certain officers within the legal directorate of LESCO were involved in corrupt practices, including receiving commissions for assigning legal cases to a handpicked panel of advocates. It was pointed out that LESCO, on 21December 2020, had already issued office order highlighting favoritism in selection of lawyers in court cases and required that no single lawyer on the panel of advocates will be given more than 100 pending court cases of LESCO with effect from 01-01-2021. (Read More)
PKR 1.13 Billion Outstanding Royalty Recovered from Two Companies on TI Pakistan Intervention
Governments across the world need resources, material, equipment, and services to execute public projects. The execution of the projects, procurement and services permits require that the entire activity be carried out in transparent, economical, and efficient manner, to result in the best value for the country, government and its citizens
On 16th December 2022, TI Pakistan came across a complaint of official collusion with the private companies causing loss of PKR 1.13 Billion to the national exchequer. It was pointed out that to undertake petroleum exploration activities, exploration licenses were granted to M/s SPUD Energy over Guddu and Bolan blocks, and to M/s Frontier Holding Companies over Badin IV South Block. These licenses were given under the provision of Pakistan Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Rules, 1986.
On account of commercial discovery in these blocks, the President of Pakistan granted a development and production leases to the holders of license to undertake development activities and produce petroleum. M/s Sui Southern Company (SSGCL) is the nominated buyer of the natural gas and crude oil/condensate from Bolan Block and Badin IV South Block, while M/s Engro Fertilizers is the nominated buyer of the natural gas from Guddu Block.
responded to TI Pakistan and stated “that the provincial share of royalty is directly transferred to the relevant province where well-head is located… and the federal government has nothing to say or advise in this regard’. The DG (PC) response was axiomatically contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, Rules of Business 1973 and Pakistan Petroleum (E&P) Rules 2001. ….(Read Full Story)
One such ordeal is of Bibi Sajida. In 2016, when Bibi Sajida’s father (Mian Ahmed) passed away,he left behind two wives, 6 sons and two daughters.Women Empower for the Fight Against CorruptionAfter Mian Ahmed died, his four sons from the first wife surreptitiously applied for the legalinheritance of their father’s property and bank accounts under the Pakistan Succession Act, 1925from the local court, claiming to be the only legal heirs of Mian Ahmed. Based on the successioncertificate, the four brothers obtained custody of the bank account of Mian Ahmed. The bankaccount had a deposit of Rs. 1500,000 . . …..(Read Full Story )
Women and Access to Justice
Corruption takes many forms. However, it affects people differently based on gender,socio-economic status, background, position of power and influence. In a country like Pakistan,where abject poverty, misogyny, lack of access to essential services, is a description of the dailylife of women in the rural areas, this means that due to their socio-economic background,women are often disproportionately affected by the corruption.
In fact, this gendered impact of corruption is far more glaring in cases where women have tostrive to claim their due entitlements and rights. For instance, Article 23 of the Constitution ofthe Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees the right to own property for every man and womanin the country. However, many women due to lack of legal awareness and the financial capacityto pay ‘bribe’ have to fight for their due right to ‘inherit’. According to the Demographic andHealth Survey of Pakistan 2017-18, “97 per cent of women did not inherit land or a house, while1pc each inherited agricultural land and a house. Less than 1pc of women inherited nonagricultural plots or residential plots”
