FIA takes MDA officials into custody over alleged land auction corruption

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities in the auction of government land by the Malir Development Authority (MDA), sources told ARY News.

According to sources, the FIA conducted a raid at the MDA office in Karachi and took important official documents into custody.

Sources said several MDA officials have also been taken into custody, while questioning of the detained officials is underway over alleged corruption and irregularities in the land auction process.

The investigation was launched following allegations that government land was auctioned in violation of transparency requirements and prescribed rules and regulations, with favoured individuals allegedly being given undue benefits.

The FIA has taken possession of records and documents related to the land auction and is examining the relevant files, sources said.

Officials are also questioning the concerned officers, while investigators are collecting evidence of alleged financial irregularities in the auction process.

Sources said details of individuals who participated in the auction and the subsequent allotments are also being obtained.

The investigation is also examining allegations of potential financial losses to the national exchequer due to violations of the prescribed auction procedure.

Further arrests are expected after scrutiny of the seized documents, sources said, adding that the scope of the FIA investigation could be expanded to examine the possible involvement of more officials and other individuals.

The FIA investigation aims to identify those allegedly involved in corruption in the government land auction process, sources added.