Data Darbar cash box case: Chief secretary upholds Rs20.59 million recovery

Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman has rejected appeals filed by two former senior officials of Data Darbar Lahore

LAHORE: Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman has rejected appeals filed by two former senior officials of Data Darbar Lahore in a cash box embezzlement case, upholding major departmental penalties and recovery of more than Rs20.59 million.

Minute Mirror has obtained the final appellate order, No. AD(A-II)14(971)A/2026, dated September 24, 2026. The order was issued under Section 16 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006.

The appeals were filed by Jamil Ahmad, former Administrator Auqaf Data Darbar Lahore, and Tahir Maqsood, former Manager Auqaf Data Darbar Lahore.

In the order, the chief secretary observed that the appellants had failed to present material capable of rebutting the evidence available on record. He subsequently rejected both appeals, stating that they lacked sufficient merit.

Penalties against two officials

According to official Auqaf Department records, Jamil Ahmad has been awarded demotion to a lower post and pay scale for five years, along with forfeiture of five years of past service. He is also required to pay a recovery of Rs9,265,800.

Tahir Maqsood, meanwhile, has been removed from service as a major penalty and ordered to pay Rs11,324,867.

The combined recovery imposed on the two officials amounts to Rs20,590,667.

The original penalties were imposed on June 2, 2026, by the Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab through orders No. 2836 and 2837.

Inquiry into shrine cash collections

According to the Auqaf Department, the investigation began after officials noticed an unusual and sustained decline in cash collections from Data Darbar’s donation boxes during the relevant administrative period.

Officials said collections increased significantly after central monitoring and headquarters-level oversight were introduced, prompting a formal inquiry into the discrepancy.

A two-member inquiry committee comprising the Director General Religious Affairs Auqaf Punjab and Director Finance Auqaf Punjab examined the matter.

The inquiry found three of four major charges fully proved and one partially proved. The allegations examined included unauthorised withdrawal of cash box collections, alleged misuse or leakage of CCTV footage, failure to deposit daily collections and irregularities in cash box opening records.

Officials said CCTV footage and financial records formed part of the evidence considered during the proceedings.

Defense of the officials

During the appeals, the two officials reportedly argued that the decline in collections was linked to lower visitor numbers and maintained that cash boxes were opened in the presence of the relevant committee.

They also questioned why other officials associated with the cash-handling process had not been proceeded against.

However, the hearing officer’s report noted that documentary evidence, visitor statistics and bank records had not been produced to substantiate these claims. The defenses were therefore not accepted by the appellate authority.

Further legal proceedings

The case concerns financial management at Data Darbar, one of Punjab’s major religious and revenue-generating shrines. The proceedings have also highlighted questions surrounding the monitoring of cash collections and the digitisation of financial controls at shrines.

Following rejection of their departmental appeals, the two officials may challenge the decision before the Punjab Service Tribunal, in accordance with the applicable legal process.

Further action could also depend on recovery proceedings and any decision by the relevant authorities regarding possible criminal proceedings.