Punjab Province

Gujranwala | ReNews Pakistan
The Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) has uncovered 900 suspected bogus property registrations and mutations in Mouza Ladhiawala Warraich, Gujranwala, during an investigation into alleged irregularities in land-revenue records, with the suspected transactions reportedly causing a loss of more than Rs 114.86 million to the provincial exchequer in taxes, duties and other government revenue.
According to ACE Gujranwala Region Director Amjad Shehzad, the investigation was launched following complaints regarding irregularities in property records in the area. ACE teams took the relevant revenue record into custody and examined 4,987 mutations involving small and large land transactions conducted over roughly two years.
The inquiry identified around 900 transactions as suspected bogus registrations, according to the ACE official. The alleged irregularities relate to registration documents, stamp papers, property numbers and discrepancies between physical and digitally recorded ownership information.
Investigators reportedly found cases in which physical documents carried stamp papers showing values of more than Rs 3,000, while online verification indicated that the actual stamp papers had a value of only Rs 500. The ACE also identified discrepancies in property numbers and differences between the names of buyers and sellers appearing on physical documents and those recorded in the online system.
The ACE director said the suspected transactions resulted in an estimated Rs 114.865 million loss to the government through taxes, duties and other revenue associated with the property dealings.
The inquiry has also turned towards officials who served in the relevant revenue offices during the period under investigation. The ACE is examining the role of tehsildars and patwaris whose signatures appeared on disputed registration documents. The officials named by the ACE include Tehsildars Sarfraz Cheema, Altaf Hussain Tarar, Arshad Dhullo and Imtiaz Sahi, along with Patwaris Bilal Butt and Mustafa Mann.
Assistant commissioners who served in Gujranwala Sadar between July 1, 2024 and May 4, 2026 are also expected to be questioned as part of the investigation. Authorities are examining why the alleged irregularities and revenue shortfall were not detected earlier.
The investigation could have implications for around 1,800 buyers and sellers linked to the disputed transactions. According to the ACE, these individuals will be heard as the inquiry progresses.
The ACE has also alleged irregularities in the mechanism used for site verification. According to the investigation, a private team or mechanism allegedly conducted site visits, recorded videos and raised objections, following which additional fees were reportedly charged. These allegations remain subject to the ongoing inquiry.
The case highlights potential weaknesses in the verification of land transactions where physical revenue documents and digital records are expected to correspond. Investigators are now examining the reported discrepancies involving stamp papers, property numbers and buyer-seller identities to establish how the disputed registrations were processed.
The ACE has yet to conclude the investigation and determine final responsibility. Any criminal or departmental action will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the evidence established against the individuals concerned.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited Inner Circular Road and Bhatti Chowk to review the pilot urban regeneration project. Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed him on the progress of the project, traffic management measures and improvements in civic facilities.
The DG LDA was informed that the upgrade of Inner Circular Road includes improved pedestrian pathways, footpaths, seating areas and organized parking facilities. The measures are aimed at improving traffic and parking management while enhancing the overall urban environment of the historic area.
Officials said the construction of a U-turn at Bhatti Chowk leading towards Inner Circular Road has improved traffic flow, while the upgrade project is also providing a more organized parking arrangement along the road.
Tahir Farooq said the urban regeneration initiative has improved basic civic facilities along Inner Circular Road. He added that building facades from Bhatti Chowk towards Urdu Bazaar have also been upgraded, along with the installation of uniform signage. The measures are intended to improve the overall appearance of the area, pedestrian movement and public facilities.
The DG LDA directed the relevant authorities to further improve the finishing of all development works and ensure the removal of hanging wires along the road and buildings. He stressed that quality, cleanliness and public convenience should remain key priorities throughout the project.
He said the experience and outcomes of the Inner Circular Road pilot project would provide a basis for upgrading other sections of the road along similar lines. The initiative aims to improve modern civic facilities, traffic management and the overall urban environment in key commercial and historic areas of the walled city.
Officials from TEPA and LDA were also present during the visit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of shares in Masood Textile Mills Limited by UAE-based Velora Global Ventures F.Z.C., clearing the transaction after a Phase I competition assessment under the Competition Act, 2010.
The approved transaction involves the purchase of shareholding from two Chinese companies — Shanghai Challenge Textile Company Limited and Zhejiang Xinao Industry Company Limited — under a Share Purchase Agreement.
Velora Global Ventures is registered with the Ajman Free Zone Authority in the United Arab Emirates and operates in wholesale trading of textiles and clothing as well as commercial brokerage activities outside Pakistan.
Its associated companies, Gulf Textile Sourcing F.Z.C. and Zara Textile Trading F.Z.C., are engaged in international textile sourcing and trading, customer development and order coordination, giving the group an established presence in global textile supply chains.
Masood Textile Mills is a publicly listed Pakistani textile manufacturer involved in the production and sale of cotton and synthetic-fibre yarn, knitted and dyed fabrics, and garments.
During its Phase I review, the CCP examined whether the proposed acquisition could substantially lessen competition in relevant markets or create or strengthen a dominant market position.
The commission found that Velora Global Ventures had no pre merger market presence in Pakistan. It therefore concluded that the acquisition was not expected to materially change Masood Textile Mills’ existing output, domestic sales or overall market position.
The regulator also assessed the potential vertical relationship between Velora’s international textile trading activities and Masood Textile Mills’ manufacturing operations.
According to the CCP, the relationship did not raise competition concerns, while the transaction was also not expected to create significant barriers to entry or substantially increase the acquirer’s market power.
On the basis of its assessment, the commission authorized the acquisition under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010.
The approval clears the competition-law aspect of the transaction and allows the proposed share acquisition to proceed, subject to any other applicable regulatory or legal requirements.