Rawalpindi: November 1, 2008 (The News) The Wasa (Rawalpindi) managing director has categorically denied a news report ‘Official claims two MNAs have occupied Wasa’s land’ published in ‘The News’ on October 30, 2008, says a press release issued by the Wasa assistant director (information). According to the press release, the news report is fabricated, concocted and baseless. “In the report, a baseless allegation of land-grabbing has been levelled against parliamentarians — Shahbaz Bhatti and Dr. Tariq Fazal.” The Wasa managing director dubbed the story “a conspiracy to tarnish the image, standing and stature of MNAs Shahbaz Bhatti and Dr. Fazal Tariq.” He stated that a group of land mafia has illegally occupied 22 acres of land of Wasa adjacent to the Rawal Lake filtration plant. He said that MNAs Shahbaz Bhatti and Dr. Tariq Fazal have no connection with this shady business. The MD said that Wasa is planning a mega water supply project in which Chirah Dam and a filtration plant is to be constructed. He said that the land is kept for the construction of a filtration plant to supply clean water to Rawalpindi residents. The project has already been approved by the government of Punjab and illegal occupation of land has been causing a delay in its implementation. The MD stated that Wasa has informed the CDA, ICT administration and the Punjab government about the issue and adopted the legal course to get vacated this land from land-grabbers. He said that they are continuously appealing to politicians for their help in resolving the land-grabbing issue. Meanwhile in a press statement, MNA Shahbaz Bhatti said that he was taken by surprise when he read the news report. He said that he does not have any direct or indirect connection with those who grabbed the land along Rawal Dam and the Wasa and government authorities know the real “character” behind this land-grabbing. He appealed to the president and prime minister of Pakistan to take action against land-grabbers and all those who are involved in assisting, aiding, abetting and supporting them. He urged journalists to avoid irresponsible reporting as it could harm a person’s credibility. Earlier on The News published a story on October 30, 2008: Official claims two MNAs have occupied Wasa land The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) cries for help as its valuable land, measuring 22 acres, has allegedly been occupied by two parliamentarians, claimed Wasa Water Department Director Mohammad Naseer. Talking to ‘The News,’ he alleged that two parliamentarians have “illegally occupied” Wasa’s land near Rawal Dam, creating problems in implementation of water related projects over there. He also alleged that out of the total of 22 acres of land, MNAs Shahbaz Bhatti and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry have possession of 11 acres of land each and have initiated construction work there. “The agency have time and again issued notices to them to vacate the illegally occupied land, enabling us to initiate water works there, but instead of vacating the land they resisted it,” he claimed. “They have deputed their own security forces to counter any action by the Wasa authorities,” he said. He also claimed that the matter was even taken up with the high-ups of the federal and provincial governments but to no avail. “We are helpless now and considering to approach the court if the matter is not resolved amicably,” he said. Briefing about the projects, which were to be initiated there, the director said that the Wasa had to extend the project of filtration plant besides building another filtration plant linking it with the new Chirah Dam, the project which is under consideration. He said first Wasa has to get the land vacated before commencing water projects. It would delay implementation of water projects particularly filtration plant for Chirah Dam. He said the crisis of water would aggravate if work on Chirah Dam is not initiated by the end of the current fiscal year. The Wasa director has appealed to the President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the matter and direct the concerned parliamentarians to vacate the land belonging to the agency in the best interest of the public. When contacted, MNA Shahbaz Bhatti denied his involvement in the land grabbing and said, “I have nothing to do with the land.” He also expressed his unawareness about the construction of a Church on the land. Similarly, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also denied the claims of the Wasa. He said that he himself had directed the Islamabad Administration to take up the matter and get it resolved. Elaborating, he said that the Wasa had assured the minority members, who have occupied the land, to provide them an alternative place for construction of the Church. “I have also directed the Islamabad Administration to provide alternative land to the minority members who have grabbed the Wasa’s land.” He refuted the claims of Wasa that any construction work on the Church has been initiated. Rather they have just set up camps, deputing security personnel to counter any action by the Wasa, he said.