PESHAWAR: In order to strengthen the financial position and giving the institutional autonomy to one of the oldest college of Pakistan, Islamia College Peshawar has initiated a plan to reclaim its encroached land in different areas of the province, specifically in Peshawar, Charsadda, and Swabi.
The retrieved properties will be developed for commercial purpose to generate sustainable revenue for the college. The initiative follows the successful recovery and development of 55 kanals of commercial land in Charsadda. This step marked a significant step toward self-sufficiency of the college.
Chairing a meeting on the issue of the reclaimed land, Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Mahsud was apprised of the wide range land holdings of Islamia College, including commercial properties that have long been leased at rates which is quite low as per the market rate. The meeting attended by officials from the district administrations of Peshawar division, the University of Peshawar, Islamia College administration, Peshawar Police, and the Revenue Department aimed at reclaiming all the land that is leased at nominal rates.
During the briefing, it was disclosed that 14 kanals of commercial land located in Peshawar prominent location, Khyber Bazzar currently occupied by 222 shops and office which is in bad condition will be vacated and will be designed for the development of a modern commercial complex. This construction of the commercial complex is expected to generate huge revenue for Islamia College Peshawar.
A major component of the plan involves reclaiming 4,500 jaribs of land in Tangi and Tarnab, Charsadda, which has been leased for a nominal Rs. 4,000 annually. The property will now be re-leased at market rates of Rs. 65,000 per annum, elevating the institution’s annual revenue from Rs. 20 million to an estimated Rs. 2.9 billion.
Similarly, 4,000 jaribs of land in Swabi’s Hund area, currently under illegal occupation, will be reclaimed and commercially leased to maximize financial returns.
The key aspect of the initiative includes the retrieval of 28 kanals on Peshawar University Road, which is known as Burj Hari Singh Nalwah. The place is former residence and Governor House of Sikh Governor Hari Singh. As part of the Peshawar Uplift Program, which is initiated by the Peshawar administration, the historic place will be restored, with its commercial potential utilized to generate some additional revenue for historic Islamia College while preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.
Commissioner Riaz Mahsud directed the Peshawar administration to speed up the process and submit the initial reports by next week. He emphasized that all the government owned land, irrespective of its location, will be reclaimed and will be used to ensure the financial sustainability of the government institutions.
Islamia College’s proactive approach in reclaiming its assets is expected to significantly enhance its financial stability, enabling it to maintain its prominent position as one of Pakistan’s top and historical educational institutions.
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