Revenue office stormed amid corruption claims
PML-N MPA Shaukat Bhatti on Sunday led a group of supporters to the offices of the Assistant Commissioner and Tehsildar in Gujar Khan, alleging widespread corruption in the land revenue system and accusing revenue officials of exploiting members of the public.
According to eyewitnesses and official sources, the provincial legislator arrived at the offices with dozens of supporters. During the visit, the Assistant Commissioner, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar and several patwaris reportedly either left their offices or disappeared. The MPA's supporters subsequently entered various offices, while official records and files were allegedly removed from the premises and taken away in vehicles accompanying the legislator.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhatti described the land revenue offices as "the hub of corruption", alleging that members of the public were routinely being overcharged and exploited at patwar offices and Revenue Facilitation Centres.
"I have received around 4,000 public complaints regarding corruption and maladministration in the revenue system," he claimed. The MPA further alleged that there was corruption in the issuance of Green Certificates and criticised the performance of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), claiming that he possessed evidence of irregularities. He said he would raise the matter with the Director General of PERA as well as on the floor of the Punjab Assembly.
The lawmaker warned that officials found involved in corruption or failing to serve the public would not be allowed to continue in their posts in Gujar Khan, adding that he would seek their transfer through the relevant authorities.
Officials of the AC's office, however, presented a different account of the incident. They alleged that the MPA and his supporters entered government offices, removed official records and disrupted normal functioning. They said a detailed report of the incident had been submitted to the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner for further action.