EOBI Corruption Case: Supreme Court Seeks Details from Trial Court After 13 years, neither the money nor the land has been recovered, calling it a “dangerous situation.”

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought complete details of the proceedings in the EOBI corruption case from the trial court and directed that the trial be expedited.

The court observed that it must be explained how Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) had the authority to invest in the business of buying and selling land. The court remarked that after 13 years, neither the money nor the land has been recovered, calling it a “dangerous situation.”

Justice Shahid Waheed remarked that there could hardly be a greater injustice than taking the money 13 years ago and still not delivering the land. He questioned how EOBI, which manages pensioners’ funds, could engage in real estate dealings, adding that EOBI does not deal in the real estate business. He also observed that there appeared to be collusion between the petitioner and EOBI officials.

The court noted that plots cannot legally be sold without approval from Lahore Development Authority (LDA). According to the case record, a deal worth Rs1.15 billion was made, EOBI paid the amount, but the land allegedly did not exist and the money was still taken.

The court further remarked that EOBI should never have entered into the agreement because the housing society involved was not approved, and therefore the plots could not legally be sold. It was alleged that in 2013 the petitioner sold 654 plots to EOBI, received the payment, but never handed over any plots. The court also expressed concern that no meaningful trial had taken place and no accused persons had been arrested despite the passage of 13 years.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, speaking to petitioner Ammar Ahmad’s lawyer, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, remarked that the Supreme Court had not even granted interim bail, yet the case was proceeding in an unclear manner.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui heard the matter on Monday. The hearing involved Ammar Ahmad Khan’s pre-arrest bail plea and EOBI’s applications seeking cancellation of bail for former EOBI Director General Zafar Iqbal Gondal, Shazia Ammar, Suraya Bibi, Ishaq Khusro, and others.

All accused persons appeared before the court except Ammar Ahmad Khan’s 82-year-old mother-in-law, Suraya Bibi. On the court’s order, FIA Director General Dr. Muhammad عثمان Anwar also appeared before the bench. Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal represented the federal government, while Muhammad Umar Riaz appeared on behalf of EOBI.

During the hearing, FIA DG Dr. Muhammad عثمان Anwar informed the court that around 115 to 120 hearings had already taken place and that most delays were caused by adjournment requests from the petitioner’s side. He said the FIA wanted to proceed with the case and would move toward framing charges if directed by the court.

Justice Shahid Waheed responded that despite FIA’s claim of seriousness, the prosecution had failed to move the case forward for 13 years and charges had still not been framed.

Barrister Syed Ali Zafar argued that EOBI had signed an agreement with Pak Arab Housing Society on February 20, 2013, for the development and delivery of 654 plots on Ferozepur Road in Lahore. However, the court pointed out that the plots were located in an undeveloped block and the society itself had not been approved by LDA.

The lawyer stated that 79 commercial and 575 residential plots had been purchased, while the court reiterated that plots could not legally be sold without LDA approval.

The court further observed that EOBI had entered into similar property agreements with 18 other companies and allegations had previously surfaced that land was being purchased at inflated prices.

When informed that the elderly accused woman was absent due to age and was supposedly present at the Lahore Registry, court staff confirmed she was not there either. Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why her bail should not be cancelled for failing to appear despite court orders.

Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui also criticized EOBI’s legal representatives, saying the institution had failed to fulfill its responsibilities for 13 years.

The FIA DG additionally revealed that some lands had allegedly even been purchased in river areas.

Barrister Syed Ali Zafar objected strongly to the judges’ observations, arguing that such remarks could influence the trial.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the bench issued notices on EOBI’s applications seeking cancellation of bail and adjourned the matter indefinitely.