Pakistan Army to receive 45,267 acres of state land for corporate agriculture farming

March 19, 2023 (MLN): The General Headquarters Lands Directorate has requested that the Board of Revenue, Punjab, transfer state lands covering 45,267 acres to the Pakistan Army for corporate agriculture farming purposes.

The Director of General Strategic Projects, Pakistan Army, sent a letter to the Member (Colonies), Board of Revenue, Punjab, requesting that the lands be handed over in three districts of Punjab, namely Bhakkar, Khushab, and Sahiwal.

The letter referred to the government of Punjab notification number 197-2023/0334-CS.II(IX) dated 20th February 2023 and JV Management agreement dated 8th March 2023.

It also stated that "While signing the JV Management Agreement on March 08, 2023, it was decided that state lands immediately required for the project be handed over to Pak Army."

Of the total 45,267 acres,10,273 acres of Livestock department in Rakh Ghulaman Mouza of tehsil KallorKot in district Bhakkar on March 17, 2023, 23,027 acres of Forest department in Rakh Gohar Wala of tehsil KallorKot in district Bhakkar on March 18, 2023, 9,424 acres of Livestock department in Rakh Mahni of tehsil Mankera in district Bhakkar on March 15, 2023, 981 acres of Livestock department in Chak 61 MB of tehsil Khushab in district Khushab on March 17, 2023, 837 acres of Agriculture department in Chak 5 MB of tehsil Quaidabad in district Khushab on March 18, 2023; and 725 acres of the provincial government in Chak 13/11L of tehsil Chichawatni in district Sahiwal on March 15, 2023, will be handed over. 

According to the letter, departments may keep portions of the lands as per their requirements and research needs.

However, research proposals must be submitted outlining the project name, purpose, land required, funds required or funded by, and time needed to complete the project for better management.

The transfer of state lands for corporate agriculture farming purposes has sparked interest in the public and the media.

Many are curious about the reasons behind the transfer, the Pakistan Army's plans for the lands, and the impact of the transfer on the local community.

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