Mohsin Naqvi’s caretaker government, in indecent haste, approved 48 crore rupees in November 2023 to construct studs around Ahad Cheema’s family lands in Hafizabad

Cheema was advisor to the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at that time

Despite controversial approval, Maryam Nawaz government not only proceeded with construction of the project but also gave an additional approval taking the project cost to 84 Crore rupees

An interesting situation emerged when Fact Focus sought to understand the criteria for approving this project, as no officer involved in the approval process was willing to take responsibility, and everyone shifted the blame onto others

Amara Shah

Punjab government not only continued construction on a controversial Rs480 million (48 crore) studs/bunds project benefitting a top PMLN leader and his family but also released additional funds taking the total cost to Rs 848 million (84 crore rupees). The project primarily benefits land owned by influential Federal Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, along with his family and associates.

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In 2022, after the change of government at Federal level and Ahad Cheema’s becoming the advisor to the Prime Minister, the district administration of Hafizabad proposed construction of several studs safeguarding the lands owned by Cheema and his family in the villages Behak Ahmad Yar, Kot Kameer, Mehmoodpur of this district. The proposal was swiftly approved by all concerned departments and finally The Planning and Development Board under the government of the then caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi approved 480 million (48 crore) on November 16, 2023.

The Maryam Nawaz government proceeded with the construction of these studs, despite their highly questionable approval during the caretaker administration for two key reasons. First, the approval process lacked clear criteria, and the project primarily benefited individuals with close ties to PML-N’s top leadership. Second, a caretaker government is not authorized to approve large-scale projects of this nature. Not only this, on July 8, 2024 the Planning and Development board under Maryam Nawaz’s government further approved an amount of 360 million (36 crore) taking the total worth of the project to the tune of 840 million (84 crore).

This example of favoritism—using taxpayer money to benefit close associates without any merit—is unprecedented in Punjab’s recent history.

These hundreds of millions of rupees from poor taxpayers were spent to protect the lands of a privileged few, while ignoring the country’s dire economic situation and neglecting dozens of villages in Hafizabad district and hundreds more along the banks of the River Chenab, all without any established criteria.

Provincial secretaries and senior government officials, when approached by Fact Focus, were unable to explain the criteria used to justify building the studs exclusively around the lands of Cheema’s family, while neglecting other areas. The Maryam Nawaz government is scheduled to complete this project by next month.

A comical situation arose when Fact Focus asked various top officials to explain the criteria used for granting this approval. No one was willing to take ownership of the project, and each person deflected responsibility onto others. In reality, river erosion is a serious problem, causing significant losses to hundreds of villages. A 2022 report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority highlighted over 30 villages in Hafizabad district alone that were affected by river erosion, with some completely destroyed due to lack of influential backing.

However, spending hundreds of millions in taxpayer money to build studs to protect villages and lands close to the riverbank is not a prudent solution. There should have been a clear criterion for selecting villages where such studs or bunds should be constructed, ensuring that the investment improves the overall system and boosts agricultural output. Yet, no official seemed aware of such a criterion, nor does one appear to exist.

Cheema, a former bureaucrat and close associate of ex-Punjab Chief Minister and current Prime  Minister Shahbaz Sharif faced charges of accumulating wealth and assets beyond his means in the Ashiana Housing Scheme scandal. Although initially arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the case against him was later dropped by the accountability courts. However, this development occurred after the PML-N struck a deal with the powerful Pakistan Army.

After Cheema resigned as DMG officer, Prime minister Shahbaz Sharif (in his previous term) inducted him as an advisor in his cabinet on June 9, 2022. After his appointment, Punjab government approved several studs aimed at protecting land holdings belonging to Cheema’s family and associates from potential flooding in the Hafizabad district. Cheema was made senator by PMLN in March 2024.

Despite the claims of fairness in government operations, the swift approval of these projects, as well as the near-complete status of some of the studs construction, raises questions about favoritism and the equitable allocation of public resources. 

Rs 848 million investment into studs that primarily protect a relatively small portion of land reflects preferential treatment towards close associates of the ruling party, casting serious doubt on the transparency of the government’s infrastructure projects. 

How did it happen? 

– According to Fact Focus investigations, following Cheema’s appointment with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a mysterious process for the approval of studs was initiated at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Hafizabad. Urgent meetings were held with relevant departments and political representatives. The Irrigation Department was asked to provide technical input, after which the summary was forwarded to the Commissioner, who then submitted it to the Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR).

– The proposal is reviewed in a cabinet meeting to determine if the project serves the public interest. Upon approval, funds are released by the SMBR and Ministry of Finance and allocated to the Chief Engineer/XEN of the Irrigation Department.

– The Planning and Development Board, chaired by Iftekhar Ahmad Sahu (now provincial secretary agriculture), approved the initial Rs480 million project on November 16, 2023. Construction commenced soon after. Later, an additional nine studs were approved by the P & D Board to safeguard the same land, bringing the total project cost to Rs 848 million, with final approval granted on July 8, 2024, under the chairmanship of Nabeel Awan Chaudhry.

Ahad Khan Cheema Response

Multiple efforts were made by Fact Focus to reach Ahad Khan Cheema and take his version. When the office of the federal minister for Economic Affairs in Block-C of the federal secretariat was visited, the staff informed that Cheema only sits in his office in Prime Minister House.  The Prime Minister House of Pakistan has always been a no go area for the independent journalists no matter which party is ruling in Islamabad. Still Fact Focus made hectic efforts to reach the federal minister.

His director Mr. Saqib Manzoor was requested to arrange a meeting of this reporter with the minister. He later confirmed that the message had been delivered to the minister. Upon no response, Fact Focus decided to send questions to the minister as he was not ready to speak directly. Following questions were sent on the personal mobile of Cheema, on the mobile of his director and on the official email provided by the director for this purpose. 

1-  The Punjab caretaker government approved the construction of multiple bunds on November 16, 2023, specifically in Behak Ahmad Yar and Kameer Kot, with further approvals by the current government on July 8, 2024. Have you ever used your influence to get these approvals?

2- How much land do you, your brother, your sister, and other family members own in the areas of Behak Ahmad Yar, Kameer Kot, and the surrounding regions? Additionally, when was the last time you or any member of your family purchased land in these areas?

3-

Multiple reminders were sent to Mr. Cheema, requesting his response to Fact Focus’s questions. However, Cheema never responded to any of the questions.

Official Responses

During the investigation of this story we approached multiple officials of concerned departments. The departments involved for the approval of the project are district administration of Hafizabad, Punjab irrigation department, Board of Revenue Punjab, Planning and Development Board, Government of Punjab.

Irrigation Department Denies Initiative, Cites Role in Execution Only

When approached for clarification regarding the bund construction projects in Hafizabad, officials from the Punjab Irrigation Department categorically denied initiating the projects. According to multiple officials, the department is only responsible for executing what is known as “deposit work,” which refers to projects initiated by other government bodies but carried out by the irrigation department due to its technical expertise.

Wasif Khursheed, secretary irrigation Punjab while talking to Fact Focus said that the irrigation department cannot comment about the approval of the projects that are not initiated by it and by other government departments.

“The Irrigation Department only initiates projects that involve existing infrastructure under our purview,” Khurram Amin additional secretary (technical) irrigation department Punajb said adding “In this case, our role is limited to execution, not planning or initiation.”

Khurram further clarified that for the construction of new bunds, the process begins with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district. “It is the responsibility of the Deputy Commissioner to generate a report, which is then based on findings from the District Disaster Management Office”, he added. This report serves as the foundation for decisions regarding new projects, such as the bunds in question.

These revelations shift responsibility for initiating the project away from the Irrigation Department and toward local authorities, raising questions about the decision-making process that led to the rapid approval and construction of the bunds.

2022 PDMA Report Highlights and local officials

A report by the District Disaster Management , Hafizabad published in 2022 identified more than 30 villages in Hafizabad as flood-prone areas in need of urgent protection. The villages around Cheema family lands were also included in this report. However, despite the report’s wide-ranging recommendations, this Rs 848 million project focuses almost exclusively on areas and lands belonging to Cheema, his family and their associates. 

While discussing the project approval process, an official explained that the department routinely conducts model studies for various proposed projects, which are then submitted to the relevant authorities. However, these studies seldom make it to the stage of cabinet meetings for final approval.

“The studies we prepare are meant to guide decision-making, but unfortunately, they rarely progress to the level where they can be reviewed or approved by the cabinet,” the official noted, implying that bureaucratic hurdles often prevent the department’s recommendations from advancing through the necessary channels.

Despite the usual bureaucratic delays, this particular project reached the cabinet level twice and received swift approval, an official revealed. The official attributed this expedited process to the significant influence and power wielded by Ahad Khan Cheema, which allowed the project to bypass the typical hurdles and secure approval at the highest level.

“God has blessed Cheema Sahib with influence, and he used that to ensure the project reached the cabinet and got the necessary approvals,” the official remarked, alluding to the special treatment that allowed the project to move forward quickly.

Response of the Central Character Toqeer Ilyas Cheema, the then Deputy Commissioner Hafizabad

A few days after the appointment of Ahad Khan Cheema as an advisor to the Prime Minister, a PMS officer Toqeer Ilyas Cheema was quietly appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Hafizabad in August 2022. Immediately upon taking office, Toqeer Ilyas Cheema began work on the project with noticeable haste. Demonstrating his bureaucratic efficiency, he ensured press releases were issued detailing his activities and informed the media that the project, with a total cost of Rs120 million, would benefit many farmers in the surrounding villages. Toqeer Ilyas Cheema, who initiated the project, told Fact Focus that he had no recollection of how the bund project was started.

When questioned about the origins of the bund construction project in Behak Ahamd Yar and Kot Kameer, Toqeer Ilyas Cheema, the then Deputy Commissioner of Hafizabad in 2022, who held the authority to propose the summary and initiate the process, expressed uncertainty.

“I can’t recall how it all started,” he said, explaining that the events occurred years ago and that he has since been transferred to another position. When asked whether the local residents had approached him with concerns or if he had personally identified the need to protect the areas from the erosive effects of the left bank of the Chenab River, Cheema was unable to provide specific details.

Moreover, when pressed on whether he had been contacted by Ahad Khan Cheema regarding the project, the former Deputy Commissioner categorically denied any such interaction.

Cheema is currently serving as CEO PWWF in Punjab labour and human resource department in Lahore.

Former P&D Board Chairman Sheds Light on Project Approval Process

Fact Focus reached out to Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, the former Chairman of the Planning and Development (P&D) Board (currently serving Punjab secretary agriculture), who chaired the meeting on November 16, 2023 in Mohsin Naqvi’s tenure as the chief minister of Punjab, during which various development schemes, including first part of this project was approved.

When asked about the factors considered in approving this specific project, Sahu did not provide detailed criteria but confirmed that it was one of several schemes sanctioned during that meeting. Regarding whether similar projects, particularly having this much worth, had been approved for other districts in Punjab, Sahoo did not offer any specific examples but acknowledged the possibility of other development schemes across the province. Sahoo’s written response to a Fact Focus question was, “Madam, All this information can be obtained from P&D which maintains data of approval of development schemes. 

In fact development schemes are identified, prepared and submitted by the concerned departments and are examined and approved by the P & D Board through PDWP meetings. Further information can be asked from the concerned Department.

 

It is further added that development schemes for river protection works are prepared by engineers and technical experts of Irrigation Department after site visit, technical evaluation and inspection to regulate river flows for the protection of riverside lands and villages.”

Nabeel Awan, the current chairman of Planning and Development Board who chaired the meeting in July this year to take this project’s cost to Rs844 million was also approached by Fact Focus. He said that to answer Fact Focus questions, he will have to go through the project files. He asked to send him questions and he will respond to them. Following questions were sent but Nabeel hasn’t responded till the filing of this news report.

1). The construction of bunds and studs in two villages(Behak Ahmad Yar and Kot Kameer) of District Hafizabad on the banks of the Chenab River was approved in two phases—November 2023 and July 2024. What criteria led to their prioritisation over other flood-prone areas, especially when the 2022 District Disaster and Management report identified multiple vulnerable villages? What factors made these two villages a priority for such significant allocations?

2-  Given the substantial amount of Rs 848 million approved within such a short span of time, what is the strategic importance of these projects? Why has the government allocated this much funding back-to-back for flood protection efforts in these particular villages?

3-  Have other districts in Punjab received similar high-value approvals for flood protection or studs/bund construction projects during this period? If you have any clue about any such project specifically under your chairmanship?

Mohsin Naqvi’s Response

In November 2023, planning and development board under the then caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi approved Rs 48 crore for the project. Fact Focus made several attempts to contact him but he never responded. Consequently, following questions were sent, but Mohsin Naqvi did not respond till the time this news was reported.

1- Provincial government approved a project in District Hafizabad in November 2023 which was about protection of erosive action of river Chenab in Behak Ahmad yar and Kot Kameer. Can you please explain on what criteria this particular project was approved as there are hundreds of villages in the bank of river Chenab needing such attention?

2- Did the caretaker govt have the mandate to approve the projects to the tune of Rs 484 million?

3- Most of the land in these areas is owned by Ahad Khan Cheema and his family. Was this factor the catalyst leading to such a hasty approval of this project?

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