ISLAMABAD Special Correspondent EHSAN BUKHARI
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has failed to arrest influential revenue officer Nadeem Barth despite a week having passed since arrest warrants were issued against him in a land scam involving plots allocated to Kashmiri refugees in Jhelum. The case, which was registered two months ago, involves alleged tampering with records and illegal de-allotment of plots meant specifically for refugees in Rathiyan Colony under the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Three accused — Nasir Hayat, Maqsood Ahmed, and Assistant Accounts Officer Abdullah Khan — have already been granted bail by the court. According to the FIA investigation, the illegal registries were carried out by Sub-Registrar Nadeem Barth, who is said to be closely related to both a federal and a provincial minister.
Despite obtaining arrest warrants a week ago, the FIA has made no move to apprehend Barth. Sources told Capital News Point that Barth has been in contact with a senior FIA officer and has been advised to seek interim bail and appear in court instead of facing immediate arrest.
The case, initially filed under anti-corruption charges, alleges that the original allotment of land was strictly reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The accused are believed to have manipulated official records and misused their positions to reallocate the plots for personal and political gain.
Concerns are now being raised about the FIA’s apparent delay in executing the arrest and the potential influence being exerted to obstruct justice. The delay is fueling speculation that powerful political connections may be protecting the accused.
