Massive Fraud Uncovered
A Rs393 million scam involving the misappropriation of Transfer of Tax on Immovable Property (TTIP) fees has been exposed in Jaranwala, Punjab. Specifically, the fraud occurred during the registration of sale deeds.
Key Officials Involved in the Scam
| Official | Position | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Mujeeb-u-Zaman Shami | Former Municipal Officer (Finance) | Disciplinary action recommended |
| Zubair Watto | Ex-Chief Officer | Disciplinary action recommended |
Municipal Corporation’s Role
The Municipal Corporation officials are accused of negligence and misconduct, which led to significant financial losses. Therefore, authorities have recommended disciplinary actions against the accused officials.
Audit Committee to Investigate
A committee will be set up to audit the TTIP fees, stamp duties, registration fees, and related taxes for the past five years. The audit will include:
| Auditing Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Local Fund Audit | General audit |
| Board of Revenue | Tax verification and recovery |
| Auditor General of Pakistan’s Office | Ensuring compliance and transparency |
Inquiry Results
An inquiry into sale deeds registered between July 1, 2022, and June 15, 2023, revealed that officials did not collect or deposit TTIP fees properly. Consequently, this negligence caused significant financial losses.
Suspended Employees in the Investigation
| Employee Name | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sarfraz Ahmad Razi | Tax Superintendent | Suspended |
| Muhammad Arshad Malik | Head Clerk (Retired) | Suspended |
| Shahid Ali | Junior Clerk | Suspended |
| Muhammad Zahid Nasir | Junior Clerk | Suspended |
| Ghulam Yasin | Senior Clerk | Suspended |
| Aslam Shahid | Junior Clerk | Suspended |
| Amir Farooq | Junior Clerk | Suspended |
| Naseem Toor | Junior Clerk | Suspended |
Strict Monitoring Across Faisalabad Division
Commissioner Silwat Saeed has ordered strict monitoring of tax collection in the Faisalabad Division, including Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Chiniot. She has warned that non-compliant officials will face strict actions.
Upcoming Actions in the Faisalabad Division
| District | Action |
|---|---|
| Faisalabad | Timely collection of taxes and fees |
| Toba Tek Singh | Regular audit and compliance checks |
| Jhang | Strict monitoring of tax collection |
| Chiniot | Immediate disciplinary actions for non-compliance |
Ensuring Transparency
Authorities are taking steps to ensure full transparency and accountability in tax collection. As a result, these measures aim to prevent future fraud and corruption within local government institutions.
