Drone survey reveals major property tax evasion in Rawalpindi

Probe launched against five excise inspectors for keeping these properties outside tax net in exchange for bribes

Up to 400 major villas, commercial buildings, and plazas in large housing societies and VIP localities were excluded from the property tax net, according to an aerial drone survey conducted by the Property Tax Wing of the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department.

Director Audit and Enforcement Asim Bukhari has referred five excise inspectors to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), alleging that these properties were kept outside the tax net in exchange for substantial illicit payments.

The drone audit was carried out in late October and early November. The survey identified numerous significant properties—large houses, commercial plazas, and commercial buildings—that had been omitted from the tax system. The excise inspectors responsible for the respective areas were unable to provide any satisfactory explanation.

Consequently, the Director of Audit and Enforcement took strict notice and forwarded a reference to the ACE containing a list of the relevant properties along with the names of the area inspectors responsible for the said housing societies and localities.

The ACE has confirmed receipt of the reference, stating that no action has yet been initiated. The matter is currently under review, after which senior departmental officers will be briefed and summons will be issued to the five excise inspectors concerned.

Meanwhile, during the first five months of the current financial year 2025–26 (July 1 to November 30), the department faced a 55 per cent shortfall in property tax collection.

All excise inspectors failed to meet their assigned targets. Taking serious notice of this, the Director General of Excise and Taxation has issued strict instructions to ensure that the six-month target is achieved by December 31.

In subsequent enforcement action, the department sealed 37 property units of defaulters between December 1 and 5, recovered Rs4.587 million in taxes, and issued warrants against 119 defaulters.