LAHORE: The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment has reported a major rise in performance after the launch of the new “Anti-Corruption Case Management System,” introduced under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of a “Corruption-Free Punjab.”
For the first time, the department has secured a complete digital record of all complaints, inquiries and petitions. Previously, there was no proper system to preserve records, often resulting in missing files and delays in accessing information. The new system now allows accurate tracking of FIRs and inquiries and has also made it easier to issue “No Inquiry Certificates” required for promotions, pensions and foreign training nominations of government employees. Officials say the digital system has saved time, reduced staff workload and improved transparency.
Documents available with The News show that in a first for Punjab, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has compiled a province-wide data bank to analyse corruption trends and the nature of crimes across government departments. The digital repository helps identify periods and factors linked to rising corruption, pinpoints departments with higher corruption patterns and offers insights into why certain inquiries succeed or fail. Officials say the data is now shaping future planning and guiding more targeted measures to curb corruption effectively across the province. The digital record includes data dating back to 2006. ACE officials say that computerisation has also helped identify departments with higher corruption trends and the reasons behind unsuccessful inquiries, allowing better planning for future action.
Between February 2023 and September 2025, ACE recorded a historic recovery of Rs42.6079 million, including Rs884.490 million in direct recovery, Rs81.713 million through land recovery, and Rs726.4874 million in indirect recovery. During the same period, citizens filed 61,007 complaints. ACE resolved 65,754 old and new complaints, initiated 27,996 inquiries and completed 15,716 of them. A total of 3,686 cases were registered after investigations, of which 3,165 have been finalised, while 1,954 challans were submitted in courts. To tackle bribery and corruption networks, ACE carried out 384 trap raids and arrested 2,826 individuals. In addition, 373 proclaimed offenders were detained and brought before the law.
Speaking to The News, ACE Director General Sohail Zafar Chattha said that the rise in white-collar crime required new skills and modern investigation methods. He said officers must now understand national and international laws, as well as finance, audit and accounts. To meet these needs, specialised training has been completed at all regional headquarters, with experts from various fields, police trainers and investigators from other agencies delivering lectures on evidence handling, crime analysis and modern investigation techniques. The DG said the training had led to a clear improvement in officers’ performance.
Chattha added that on the chief minister’s instructions, open public hearings are being held daily at regional and district offices, where officers listen directly to citizens’ complaints and issue immediate orders. He said the initiative has improved departmental performance and helped deliver justice at people’s doorstep.
Officials say the combination of digital record-keeping, field action and upgraded training marks a major shift in Punjab’s anti-corruption efforts and reflects the government’s commitment to stronger governance, transparency and accountability.
