Case Registered After JIT Investigation
The Lahore Anti-Corruption Establishment has registered a case against two officers of the Excise and Taxation Department and a private individual in connection with the alleged scandal involving the valuable land of the historic Nishat Cinema in Rawalpindi. The case was filed based on the investigation report of a six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which claimed to have proven allegations of forgery, misuse of authority, and illegal alteration of government land records.
Allegations of Forgery and Illegal Transactions
According to anti-corruption officials, the inquiry revealed that despite a stay order issued by a court on the disputed land, the building plan was approved, and the process of buying and selling the property continued. The First Information Report (FIR) stated that the title of the property was illegally changed on the basis of a general power of attorney. The accused include Excise and Taxation Department Rawalpindi officer Waseem Haider, Inspector Muhammad Fazeel Ajmal Bhatti, and citizen Malik Muhammad Arif. The FIR alleges that Arif played a role in changing the title of the property through a general power of attorney.
Complaint and Further Investigation
The case was registered at the Anti-Corruption Lahore office on the complaint of Circle Officer Muhammad Riaz Bhatti. Officials have confirmed that further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent activities. The Nishat Cinema, a landmark in Rawalpindi, has been at the center of controversy over its prime land, with the JIT report now providing a basis for legal action against those involved in the alleged corruption.
