Title: “17 Sub-Registrars Accused of Embezzlement in Tax Collection: FBR’s Historic Electronic Audit Reveals Corruption in Five Districts”

Sargodha: Unveiling Corruption in Sub-Registrar Offices

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regional audit team discovered substantial corruption and embezzlement among 17 sub-registrars during tax collection in Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, and Mandi Bahauddin.

Widespread Corruption Unearthed

The FBR team, under the supervision of Additional Commissioner Withholding Muhammad Ali Mir and Assistant Commissioner Sana Hassan, conducted a rigorous electronic and physical audit of records.

• Serious allegations of corruption led to the comprehensive review.
• Significant irregularities uncovered in the registration of various deeds during tax years 2023 and 2024.

Illegally Deducted Taxes and Money Embezzlement

During this intensive scrutiny:

• Sub-registrars illegally deducted taxes from both filers and non-filers’ sale deeds without differentiation.
• Collected taxes were not deposited with the government treasury in many instances.

Shocking Findings: Massive Financial Loss to the National Exchequer

The investigation also uncovered instances of substantial embezzlement of money through the preparation of fake tax challans in registrar offices.

• Sub-registrars, notaries, lawyers, petition writers, registry clerks, and other revenue staff were involved in the illegal collaborative effort.
• The collective financial loss to the national exchequer is estimated to be billions of rupees.

First Historic Electronic Audit Completed within 30 Days

Despite the alarming discoveries, this marked the first electronic audit completed by the FBR within a record timeline of 30 days.

Concerns About Prevalence of Corruption in the Revenue Department

These disturbing revelations have left tax officials and citizens shocked, raising concerns about the profound level of corruption within the revenue department.

Swift Action Against Rogue Officials

Authorities have vowed to take stringent action against the implicated officials once notices have been issued.

• Investigations have been handed over to the relevant departments for further action.