LAHORE: A day after the orders to probe Data Darbar donation scam, the Punjab Auqaf Department has launched another detailed disciplinary proceedings against former officials over alleged financial mismanagement and embezzlement involving millions of rupees allocated for key religious events, including the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh and Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).
According to the documents available with Jang, official orders issued in March 2026 and a special audit committee constituted on February 19 under the Director General Religious Affairs identified serious financial irregularities in funds released for the 982nd Urs held in 2025 at Data Darbar.
Acting under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006, Chief Administrator Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta ordered a formal inquiry under Section 3 and appointed Alvina Faiz, Deputy Secretary (Admin) and Director Finance Auqaf Punjab, as inquiry officer to investigate the matter under Sections 5 and 9 of the law.
In a separate and more detailed order relating to Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrations in 2024, Rs2 million were drawn on September 13, 2024, from an official bank account for preliminary expenses but no vouched account has been provided to date, indicating that the amount remains unaccounted for in violation of Rule 9(1) of the Punjab Treasury and Subsidiary Rules. In addition, procurement worth Rs2,495,692 were carried out in breach of Rules 3A, 4, 12 and 59 of the Punjab Procurement Rules, 2014. Another Rs2,103,265 was allegedly sanctioned fraudulently through misuse of authority and designation, bringing the total financial impact to approximately Rs5 million, which has been classified as mis-procurement and misappropriation of public funds.
The order further alleges that the accused unlawfully invoked “urgency” provisions under Rule 59(d)(iii) of the procurement rules—an authority reserved for the provincial cabinet—rendering the administrative approval legally void. The designation of Assistant Director T&T was misused in connivance with senior officials to secure financial approvals. The department has directed the accused to submit a written defence within seven days, failing which the charges will be deemed uncontested. The Deputy Director (Admin) Auqaf Punjab has been appointed as departmental representative, while the inquiry officer has been instructed to complete proceedings and submit findings within 60 days.
