The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has ordered an inquiry against 11 serving officers and officials over the alleged transfer of more than 4,000 vehicles using fake biometric verification.
According to a report, the case involves suspected financial irregularities, procedural violations and forged powers of attorney used in vehicle ownership transfers. The allegations emerged during audit inspections covering two periods in 2024, from January 1 to March 7 and March 8 to August 20.
Secretary Excise Masood Mukhtar has appointed Director Muhammad Asif (BS-19) to lead the investigation under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. Excise and Taxation Inspector Ghulam Mohyuddin of Region-C, Lahore, will serve as the departmental representative and provide relevant records.
The inquiry will examine allegations that several Motor Registering Authorities and Excise and Taxation Inspectors processed hundreds of ownership transfers without referring them to the Divisional Committee, in violation of standard operating procedures issued on March 7, 2024.
Under these procedures, cases involving Alternative Dispute Resolution and designated ownership transfers required scrutiny and approval from the Divisional Committee.
The audit also identified cases in which officials allegedly processed vehicle transfers using forged powers of attorney purportedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The inquiry officer has been directed to complete the proceedings and submit a detailed report with recommendations within 60 days.
