ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Finally the government has made public the list of eleven handpicked journalists who have been allotted expensive plots in the federal capital, raising the eyebrows of many in media because these journalists were either far below in the waiting list for plot aspirants compiled by the Information Ministry or were not listed among the capital journalists.

Ms Shaheen Ishfaq, an MNA from PML-N posed a question to the Minister for Housing and Works in the National Assembly and the ministry furnished the list of the journalists who were allotted plots in the posh sectors of the federal capital. During the National Assembly question hour the PML-N MNA asked, “Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state: a) The names of those journalists who have been allotted plots the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) and the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) since March 2008 till date along with the size of those plots; b) The procedure of payments adopted in those allotments; and c) Whether there is any proposal to allot plots to journalists in near future. If so, the details thereof?

The reply of Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar shows the name of many junior journalists who have been rewarded by the PPP government and even those who were not listed among the capital journalists when the Information Ministry compiled a waiting list of journalist to be awarded plots when CDA would start new sectors. The reply says: “In total 11 journalists have been allotted plots since March 2008 by FGEHF. The names of journalists along with details of their plots are mentioned below:

Nazir Naji, (500 sq yards, plot number 16, street 64-B, G-14/2; provisional letter issued on 13/04/2009); Muhammad Rauf Klasra (500 sq yards, plot number 6, street No. 71, G-14/2; provisional letter issued on 29-01-2009); Malik Muhammad Malick (500sq yard, plot No. 117, Street No. 801, G-14/3, provisional letter issued on 07/04/2009); Muhammad Shoaib Bhutta (500sq yard, plot No. 64-B, G-14/2, provisional letter issued on 23-04-2009); Aamir Mateen (500sq yards, plot No. 47, Street No. 118, G-14/3; provisional letter issued on 13-04/2009); Muhammad Sajjad Khan Tareen (500sq yard, plot No 15, G-14/2 provisional letter issued on 20/10/2009); Javed Chaudhry (356sq yards, plot No. 2, Street No. 79, G-14/2; provisional letters issued 13/04/2009); Khaliq Ahmad Khan Kiani (356sq yards, plot No. 69, Street No. 116, G-14/3; provisional letter issued on 13/04/2009); Majeed Afzal Khan alias Sajan Khan (356sq yards, plot No. 32, Street No. 115, G-14/3; provisional letter issued on 30-04-2009); Muhammad Ashraf (356sq yards, plot No. 9, Street No. 93, G-14/3; provisional letter issued on 30-05-2009) and Muhammad Ishaque Chaudhry (356sq yards, plot No. 2, Street No. 77, G-14/2; provisional letter issued on 05-06-2009).

With the provisional offer allotment letters, schedule for payment is sent to the allottees. Option is given to the allottee to make payment as lump sum or in installments. Yes, quota to the journalists in the next coming scheme is allocated. However, media workers will also be considered along with the journalists,” the reply mentioned.