Rawalpindi:
The administration of the Rawalpindi division has taken seriously note of the growing complaints of corruption and irregularities in the property registration offices.
In response, four officials have been suspended and another 17 have been transferred from various branches.
According to the sources, investigations against suspended personnel have already begun and official notices have been issued to those involved.
Despite these actions, the property registration processes, including the transfer of property and the issuance of powers, have remained stagnant during the last three weeks.
The situation has caused an estimated revenue loss of 300 million rupees in the registration offices of rural, urban and closing properties of the Rawalpindi division, and the losses continue to increase.
Suspended officials include an assistant, an upper official and two subaltern officials of the liquidation and registration branches.
In addition, 17 staff members have been transferred, including assistants, superior and administrative subaltern administrators.
These officials belonged to several urban and rural registration offices, including those of Gujar Khan and the city. The Rawalpindi Commissioner has ordered an exhaustive investigation of its activities, together with a review of all the property records carried out in the last six months.
To a related measure, the Deputy Coordination Commissioner, Abdullah Ghazi, has been appointed registrar of the Urban Property Registry Office. A formal notification has been issued and Abdullah Ghazi has assumed its responsibilities.
The sources said the operation was part of a broader effort to stop corruption and restore transparency in the Property Registration System in the Rawalpindi division.
