The Jaranwala district administration has uncovered a massive Rs. 393 million scam involving the misappropriation of Transfer of Tax on Immovable Property (TTIP) fees during the registration of sale deeds. The staggering loss has been attributed to negligence and misconduct by officials of the Municipal Corporation.

Commissioner Silwat Saeed has recommended disciplinary action against former Municipal Officer (Finance) Mujeeb-u-Zaman Shami and ex-Chief Officer Zubair Watto. A formal letter has been sent to the Secretary of Local Government and Community Development Punjab, urging further action against those responsible.

To address the issue, a committee comprising auditors from the Local Fund Audit, Board of Revenue, and the Auditor General of Pakistan’s office has been proposed. The committee will review TTIP fees, stamp duties, registration fees, and related taxes collected over the past five years to identify discrepancies and prevent future mismanagement.

The scam was uncovered during an inquiry conducted by the Director of Local Government Faisalabad into sale deeds registered between July 1, 2022, and June 15, 2023. The investigation revealed that TTIP fees were not properly recovered or deposited, resulting in significant revenue losses for the Municipal Corporation.

In response, several Municipal Corporation employees have been suspended, including the tax superintendent, a retired head clerk, and multiple junior and senior clerks.

Commissioner Silwat Saeed has directed all deputy commissioners and revenue officers in the Faisalabad Division, including those in Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Chiniot, to ensure the timely collection of taxes and fees under the Local Government Act. The directive aims to prevent similar incidents and improve accountability in tax collection processes.