Balochistan govt, NAB retrieve state land in several towns

• Over one million acres were recovered in 2025, with estimated gains of Rs1,370bn

• In 2026, around 260,000 acres were retrieved across Quetta, Sibi, Sherani, Hub, Lasbela and Gwadar, valued at Rs414.2 billion

QUETTA: In a major development aimed at safeguarding national resources and restoring the writ of the state, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan, in collaboration with the provincial government, has successfully reclaimed state land worth billions of rupees.

The operations were carried out in line with directives issued by NAB headquarters, with a focus on eliminating land encroachments, promoting transparent accountabi­lity and ensuring recovery of looted national assets. The initiative was undertaken on the instructions of the chief minister of Balochistan, with the active support of the provincial government, Board of Revenue and Forest Department.

According to details, preliminary scrutiny of forest land in 2025 revealed that no formal government record existed for the transfer of approximately 2.8 million acres of land belonging to the Forest Department. Taking serious notice of this lapse, NAB Balochistan launched prompt and across-the-board action under the directives of the NAB chairman.

During 2025 alone, more than one million acres of state land were retrieved, resulting in recoveries estimated at Rs1,370 billion — one of the largest land recovery operations in Pakistan’s history.

Maintaining the momentum, operations were intensified in 2026, leading to the recovery of around 260,000 acres of land in Quetta, Sibi, Sherani, Hub, Lasbela and Gwadar, with a total estimated value of Rs414.2 billion.

In Quetta, over 47,000 acres were reclaimed, translating into recoveries worth Rs363 billion. Similar operations in other districts yielded significant results: approximately 176,000 acres in Gwadar (Rs25 billion), 17,000 acres in Lasbela (Rs2 billion), 153 acres in Hub (Rs500 million), 15,000 acres in Sherani (Rs29 billion) and 2,861 acres in Sibi (Rs2 billion).

The success of the operation was made possible through strong inter-departmental coordination. The senior member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Balochistan and the Forest Department played key roles, underscoring the importance of institutional collaboration in achieving such outcomes.

NAB reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and land mafias, vowing that illegal occupation of state land would not be tolerated under any circumstances. It said all actions would continue in a transparent, law­­ful and non-discriminatory manner.

Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that NAB has prioritised the recovery of remaining encroached land and is introducing modern land management systems to prevent future irregularities. Efforts are underway to digitise land rec­o­rds and strengthen monitoring mechanisms, with the digitisation of Gwadar’s land records now in its final stages. The reclaimed land is being handed over to the Forest and Wildlife departments to ensure its utilisation for public welfare.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026