Fake domiciles probe begins in Larkana

First leg of inquiry exposes 41 fake domiciles, with 1,262 more suspected cases

HYDERABAD: With 41 confirmed and 1,262 suspected cases of fake domiciles identified in the first leg of inquiry in Larkana district, the committee formed by the Sindh government to probe the matter deemed the situation grave.

"The issue of bogus domiciles is very serious. We have received many complaints," senior member of the Board of Revenue Qazi Shahid Pervez, who heads the committee, told the media in Larkana.

The committee, which has been given a week to submit its initial report, spent the first two days of its mission in Larkana. During the investigation, it emerged that 41 false domiciles had been issued while another 147 among 1,262 reported domiciles were highly suspicious. The district has issued 30,199 domiciles in the last two years.

Fake domiciles are often used to obtain jobs in the public sector, appear in competitive exams and gain admission in higher education institutions.

"We have written to the Larkana commissioner to conduct a probe and submit a report to the committee," stated Pervez.

The committee also found misuse of authority as a norm while issuing the domiciles, with the additional deputy commissioner exercising the powers of the deputy commissioner (DC).

"This has become a tradition, but is illegal. We will recommend that the provincial government end this practice," asserted Pervez, adding that the Citizenship Act of 1951 only authorised the DC to issue the domicile certificates.

According to him, the Larkana commissioner had also been requested to replace the entire staff of Larkana DC's domicile branch, which the committee visited on Thursday, confirming one bogus case on the spot.

"Our probe is in the incipient stages and people have a lot of expectations from the committee," Pervez said, adding that social activists, writers and students had brought many complaints to them.

He explained that the committee may opt for field verification of the records and may also initiate verification from other provinces, while stating that it may also seek an extension for the investigation.

Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo, the services, general administration and coordination secretary, said they would offer no concessions to any official involved in issuing fake domiciles.

"It is possible that educational institutions where admissions have been given on fake domiciles will also be brought under investigation," he said, adding that they would also scrutinise the CNICs, academic certificates and residence certificates of the suspected cases.

The Sindh government constituted the committee after a deluge of complaints erupted on social media. The committee is scheduled to visit Qambar-Shahdadkot, Ghotki, Jamshoro and Naushehro Feroze districts in the coming days.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2020.