Citizen complains against Jalalpur Pirwala admin

LAHORE:A citizen of Jalalpur Pirwala has filed a formal application to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and senior officials in Lahore and Multan, alleging widespread corruption, illegal land grabbing, and power abuse by top administrative officials of Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil.

The complaint names Assistant Commissioner, Tehsildar, Municipal Committee Chief Officer, Registry Clerk, AC Reader and Office Clerk. The petitioner cited more than 24 incidents implicating these officials in serious irregularities, including the misuse of state resources and bribery.

According to application available with The News, the AC was accused of accepting bribes to enable the illegal occupation of one kanal of government land in Chak No 184/M.The petitioner accused the officials of facilitating the illegal construction of a shop-worth an estimated Rs10 million-on public land near Permit Road, allegedly for the benefit of a private party with official backing.

He claimed that the AC’s office has become inaccessible to ordinary citizens, entertaining only those with monetary interests. He alleged that the Clerk, along with the AC and Tehsildar, accepted Rs4 million in bribes to alter official reports and help a land registrar secure bail.

Additionally, in a raid on an illegal cigarette factory, only low-wage labourers were arrested, while the alleged mastermind-reportedly involved in a Rs3.5 million deal with the AC and other staff-was not prosecuted.

The citizen called for an impartial inquiry and the immediate suspension of the accused officials. The petition has been forwarded to the Board of Revenue, Anti-Corruption Establishment, and Local Government Department.

Responding to the allegations, Assistant Commissioner Zulfiqar Ali Khan denied all charges. Speaking to The News, he stated, ‘The applicant is a fraudulent individual, stationed here for 33 years and was sent on Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) due to misconduct.’ The AC claimed that the petitioner M Khan owns significant property and has a history of accepting bribes.

‘These accusations surfaced after disciplinary action was taken against him,’ the AC said, adding he has not received any official notice from the offices of the PM, CM, or senior bureaucrats.‘I’ve been posted here for just six months. I have never taken a bribe. If summoned for an inquiry, I am ready to face it as I have nothing to hide,’ the Assistant Commissioner concluded.