Multan registry scam exposed as 276 fake property deeds recovered

According to official sources, the alleged scam surfaced during a surprise inspection conducted by Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Kareem Khan,

LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Multan has uncovered a major alleged fraud in the Registry Branch and Sub-Registrar Office Multan, resulting in the recovery of 276 fake property registries and the arrest of 34 suspects.

According to official sources, the alleged scam surfaced during a surprise inspection conducted by Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Kareem Khan, who detected serious irregularities in the registry process, including the presence of private individuals at official counters and alleged manipulation of government registration fees.

Following the inspection, the Anti-Corruption Establishment launched a crackdown against those allegedly involved in the scheme.

Officials said the investigation has so far established an estimated Rs1.36 crore loss to the national exchequer, while the case challan has been submitted before the court.

According to ACE sources, the suspects allegedly operated in connivance with certain officials of the Sub-Registrar Office, preparing fraudulent property registries, misappropriating government fees and allowing unauthorised private individuals to carry out functions at official counters.

Director ACE Multan Region Basharat Nabi told Minute Mirror that the investigation had been expanded to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud. He said the operation was being conducted under special directives from DG Anti-Corruption Punjab Sohail Zafar Chatha, with a zero-tolerance policy against corruption across the province.

“Anyone found involved in this organised fraud, regardless of position or influence, will face strict legal action. The ACE is fully committed to taking the case to its logical conclusion,” Basharat Nabi said.

Officials said the forensic examination of registry records is continuing and further arrests could follow as investigators trace the alleged network and determine the involvement of other individuals.

Earlier, Commissioner Multan had suspended Sub-Registrar Imran Arshad and ordered registration of FIRs after four private individuals were reportedly found occupying official counters during his inspection.

The ACE Multan is now examining the recovered registry record and related financial transactions to establish the complete chain of responsibility in the alleged property registration fraud.