'Corruption' in property registration prompts probe

Rawalpindi division admin suspends four officials, transfers 17 others

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RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi division administration has taken serious notice of rampant complaints of corruption and irregularities in property registration offices.

In response, four officials have been suspended and 17 others have been transferred from various branches.

According to sources, investigations against the suspended staff have already begun, with official notices issued to those implicated.

Despite these actions, property registration processes, including the transfer of ownership and issuance of power of attorney, have remained stalled for the past three weeks.

The situation has caused an estimated revenue loss of Rs300 million across the rural, urban and cantonment property registration offices in Rawalpindi division, and the losses are continuing to grow.

The suspended officials include one assistant, one senior clerk, and two junior clerks from the settlement and registration branches.

Additionally, 17 staff members, including assistants, senior clerks, and junior clerks, have been transferred.

These officials belonged to various urban and rural registration offices, including those in Gujar Khan and the city. The Rawalpindi commissioner has ordered a thorough inquiry into their activities, alongside a review of all property registrations conducted in the past six months.

In a related move, Assistant Commissioner Coordination Abdullah Ghazi has been appointed as the Registrar of the Urban Property Registration Office. A formal notification has been issued, and Abdullah Ghazi has taken charge of his responsibilities.

Sources said the operation was part of a broader effort to curb corruption and restore transparency in the property registration system in Rawalpindi division.