Attock: The Director General of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Department in Punjab, Mr. Sohail Zafar Chatta, has ordered a crackdown on revenue officers and patwaris involved in hiring private individuals for official duties across the province, including Attock. This directive comes in compliance with a Lahore High Court Bahawalpur Bench order, which mandates legal actions against those employing private persons for government tasks.

According to a statement by Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab, despite prior orders from the Lahore High Court, the practice of employing private individuals persists, leading to public complaints. The ACE has taken notice and instructed regional directors to submit weekly reports to headquarters on the enforcement of the court’s decision.

The Lahore High Court’s directive, issued following a petition by Rafiq Ahmed, demands legal action against patwaris hiring private individuals. The Board of Revenue, Punjab, has also instructed Deputy Commissioners to ensure compliance. Any violation could result in disciplinary and penal actions against responsible officers and hired private persons.

In Attock and other regions, the Deputy Commissioner has been urged to strictly enforce these orders. Surprise inspections will be conducted, and violations will lead to FIRs and disciplinary measures. The High Court emphasized that privately hired persons should not operate within the revenue setup and should not have access to records.

Justice Chaudhary Abdul Aziz highlighted concerns over privately run Patwarkhanas, noting that these setups, sometimes established in rented private buildings, contribute to corruption. Such arrangements, often personally financed by patwaris, are not in line with their official salaries and involve private individuals in record tampering and illegal activities.

During a survey, it was found that these practices continue in several areas, including Attock and its surrounding regions. Complaints from the public indicate that these private individuals, acting as intermediaries, demand money for processing documents. The Board of Revenue has reiterated its orders to keep government records away from private hands and is actively conducting inspections.

The ACE’s initiative aims to curb corruption and ensure transparency within the revenue sector, aligning with the High Court’s vision of maintaining integrity in public offices.