Probe uncovers Rs37.5m registry fraud in DG Khan

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

A high-level inquiry by the Punjab government has uncovered a multi-million-rupee fraud in the Dera Ghazi Khan Registry Branch, with officials accused of causing losses exceeding Rs37.5 million to the national exchequer by fraudulently registering commercial properties as agricultural land.

According to official findings, the scam came to light after a complaint filed by Adeela Kanwal, prompting an investigation by the Punjab government.

The inquiry found that in the registration of just two properties, a private hospital and a private school, officials allegedly colluded with property owners to understate the value and classification of the land, resulting in a loss of more than Rs37.58 million in government revenue.

Following completion of the inquiry, Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Ahmad Raza Sarwar issued disciplinary orders against several Revenue Department officials.

Former patwari Muhammad Nawaz was dismissed from service and directed to deposit 20% of the assessed loss (Rs7.51 million) into the national treasury.

Former Sub-Registrar Qurratul Ain, currently serving as an Assistant Commissioner in Bahawalpur, was fined Rs3.7 million and barred from promotion for five years under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEDA) Act.

Former Tehsildar Saqib Shehzad was ordered to deposit Rs3.7 million and was demoted to the rank of Naib Tehsildar, while former Sub-Registrar Mahmood Mushtaq Laghari was also fined Rs3.7 million and deprived of pension and other post-retirement benefits for five years.

The inquiry followed earlier investigations conducted by former Additional Chief Secretary Ayesha Mumtaz and the Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan, both of which found the officials guilty of financial irregularities and recommended disciplinary action.

The additional chief secretary directed the deputy commissioner to recover the financial losses from both the officials and the property owners in accordance with the law.