Balochistan govt, NAB retrieves government land worth hundreds of billions; digitalization of record in final stages

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2026) In a significant step towards restoring the writ of the state and safeguarding public resources, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has successfully recovered government land worth hundreds of billions of rupees from illegal occupation.

The actions were carried out in compliance with directives issued by NAB Headquarters, aimed at eliminating unlawful encroachments, promoting transparent accountability, and ensuring the recovery and protection of national assets.

This achievement was made possible through the directives of the Chief Minister of Balochistan and the coordinated efforts of the Provincial Government, the Revenue Department, and the Forest and Wildlife Department, said a news release.

According to details, during an initial scrutiny of forest lands in Balochistan in 2025, it was revealed that there was no properly maintained official land transfer record for approximately 2.8 million acres of land belonging to the Forest Department. Taking serious notice of the situation, NAB Balochistan initiated immediate and impartial action on the instructions of the Chairman NAB.

During 2025, more than one million acres of government land were recovered, resulting in the protection and recovery of assets valued at approximately Rs. 1,370 billion. This operation ranks among the largest land recovery drives in Pakistan's history.

Maintaining this momentum, NAB intensified its operations in 2026, leading to the recovery of approximately 260,000 acres of government land in Quetta, Sibi, Sherani, Hub, Lasbela, and Gwadar districts, with an estimated value of Rs. 414.2 billion.

In Quetta, approximately 47,000 acres of Forest and Wildlife Department land were recovered, valued at Rs 354 billion, marking one of the most financially substantial recoveries.

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The largest land recovery in terms of area was reported in Gwadar, where 176,000 acres worth Rs 25 billion were retrieved. Other districts also saw notable progress, including Sibi with 2,861 acres valued at Rs 2.3 billion, Sherani with 15,000 acres worth Rs 29 billion, Hub with 153 acres valued at Rs. 500 million, and Lasbela with 17,000 acres worth Rs. 2.2 billion.

The Balochistan government extended full support throughout the process, while the Senior Member board of Revenue (SMBR) Balochistan and the Forest Department played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the operation. The achievement highlights the importance of inter-departmental coordination in protecting state resources and enforcing the rule of law.

NAB reiterated its commitment to implementing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and land-grabbing mafias. Illegal occupation of state land will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and operations will continue in accordance with the law, without discrimination, and with complete transparency.

Furthermore, the recovery of remaining government lands has been prioritized. To prevent future encroachments, efforts are underway to introduce modern land record systems, digitalization, and effective monitoring mechanisms. In this regard, the digitalization of land records in Gwadar has entered its final stages and is expected to play a vital role in preventing similar issues in the future.

The recovered land is being handed over to the Forest and Wildlife Department so that it may be utilized for public welfare and environmentally sustainable projects. The campaign will continue across the province with the same resolve, particularly in the most affected districts, on a priority basis.