DCs, development authorities' heads tasked with identifying unnamed properties

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - All Deputy Commissioners and heads of development authorities across Pakistan have been tasked with identifying unnamed (benami) and suspected properties, a fresh directive in ongoing campaign against such property holders.  The local authorities have also been directed to submit detailed report to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) by September 30. The direction comes from the Prime Minister's Office after the government flexes muscles to launch crackdown against holders of unnamed properties. According to a letter issued by PM Office to the provincial chief secretaries, all DCs will identify benami and suspected properties in their jurisdictions and submit their reports within a month. The letter said all officers are bound to submit their reports to FBR and send its copy to the Prime Minister’s Office. It said in case, any benami property is identified at a later stage, the concerned DC or head of development authority may be liable to proceedings under relevant provisions of Benami act. The Prime Minister, in a meeting held on August 20, had stressed the need for immediate steps to identify benami properties, and a proactive role of provincial governments to this effect.