Summary 2,988 victims receive plot possession letters in State Life Housing Society case after two decades
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The National Accountability Bureau National Accountability Bureau has played a leading role in facilitating relief for the public and recovering blocked funds, as thousands of victims of the State Life Cooperative Housing Society case finally received possession of their plots after more than two decades of uncertainty.
In a major development, 2,988 affected individuals were handed over possession letters during a formal ceremony held at Lake City Meadows, Lahore. The event was attended by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt, who personally distributed the documents to the long-waiting allottees.
The State Life Cooperative Housing Society was once regarded among Lahore’s prominent housing projects, but allegations of fraud and repeated complaints from allottees led to a major regulatory intervention. The Registrar Cooperative Societies Lahore froze the society’s funds following the emergence of irregularities, prompting around 700 affected individuals to approach National Accountability Bureau for assistance.
NAB formally launched proceedings in 2014 after identifying financial irregularities amounting to Rs 1.14 billion. Investigations revealed that while the society had planned the purchase of 5,000 kanals of land, only 63 kanals were officially transferred in its name. The gap triggered prolonged legal and administrative proceedings spanning several years.
A turning point came in 2024 when the housing society was merged with Lake City Holdings, opening the door for a structured resolution. Authorities described the development as a breakthrough that enabled coordinated efforts to address long-pending claims.
In January 2025, 6,750 affected members were issued allocation letters with a commitment that possession would be delivered within three years. However, the process moved ahead faster than scheduled, with 2,988 victims receiving possession letters at the Lahore ceremony ahead of the promised timeline.
Officials credited sustained coordination between National Accountability Bureau, private stakeholders, and development partners for the progress. NAB Chairman Lt Gen (r) Nazir Ahmed Butt commended the efforts of Lake City Chairman Gohar Ejaz, Punjab Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood, and Maaksons Pvt Ltd CEO Wasim Khan for helping advance the resolution framework.
Director General NAB Lahore Mirza Faran Baig acknowledged the cooperation of multiple civic bodies, including the Board of Revenue, Lahore Development Authority, and WASA, in enabling practical solutions to the long-standing dispute.
DG Operations NAB Amjad Majeed Aulakh noted that sustained intervention by the bureau had resulted in a workable settlement mechanism that prioritised public relief.
Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab Nabeel Javaid emphasised that institutional coordination and transparent governance were key to resolving complex land disputes and restoring public trust in development frameworks.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials including the Inspector General of Punjab Police, Inspector General Prisons, Director General of the Lahore Development Authority, Registrar Cooperative Societies Punjab, along with senior officers from National Accountability Bureau and a large number of affected families who received their long-awaited possession documents.
