Punjab Auqaf Department intensifies anti-corruption crackdown

According to an official spokesperson, the department is implementing the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif by promoting transparency, accountability and merit-based

LAHORE: The Punjab Auqaf Department has stepped up its campaign against corruption and administrative misconduct, taking strict disciplinary action against several officials as part of the provincial government’s “Corruption-Free Punjab” initiative.

According to an official spokesperson, the department is implementing the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif by promoting transparency, accountability and merit-based governance across its institutions. Following departmental inquiries conducted under the PEEDA Act, 2006, multiple officials were found guilty of misconduct, negligence and administrative irregularities, leading to significant disciplinary measures.

Former Deputy Director Estate (South), Dera Ghazi Khan, Asif Ejaz, was awarded a major penalty that includes demotion by one rank to personal Grade-17 status, forfeiture of five years of service and permanent disqualification from serving as an Administrator in either the field or the Head Office. He has been reassigned as Audit Officer in Bahawalpur. Following this decision, Audit Officer Bahawalpur Shahid Farooq has been transferred to serve as Audit Officer Auqaf Faisalabad.

In another disciplinary case, former Caretaker Muhammad Riaz, former Watchman Muhammad Ramzan and former Caretaker Muhammad Sharif of the Shrine of Shrine of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah were permanently barred from future postings at any shrine managed by the Auqaf Department. The officials were held responsible for administrative negligence and dereliction of duty and have been directed to report immediately to the department’s Head Office in Lahore.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that the Punjab Auqaf Department remains committed to ensuring transparency, institutional integrity and the rule of law, adding that strict and impartial action against corruption, misconduct and negligence will continue without discrimination.