CHRASADDA: The Anti-Corruption Department has launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the district revenue office, following accusations that the public exchequer suffered losses worth millions of rupees due to non-collection of government taxes on registered land transfers.
According to official correspondence, the Anti-Corruption Establishment has requested records of land transfers from the Deputy Commissioner of Charsadda, Dr Azmatullah Wazir, as part of ongoing inquiries into the conduct of certain revenue officials.
Initial findings reportedly suggest that from 2019 to 2023 and beyond, a significant number of approved land transfers were processed without the collection of required government taxes, potentially causing substantial financial loss to the national treasury. The correspondence also sought detailed information regarding the postings, names, and contact details of tehsildars and patwaris serving during the relevant periods to support the investigation.
Estimates cited in the inquiry suggest that in Tangi tehsil, nearly 80percent of transfer cases allegedly lacked tax collection, while the figures stand at around 10percent in Charsadda tehsil and 4percent in Shabqadar tehsil.
The deputy commissioner, when contacted, welcomed the investigation, stating that accountability measures were a positive step. He maintained that tax collection on approved transfers is a routine legal process and expressed surprise over allegations of non-collection.
