LAHORE (Javed Iqbal) – A high-profile corruption scandal has gripped Punjab following the arrest of Sialkot’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), accused of massive financial irregularities and links with top political and business elites.
The case has sparked a nationwide debate over political patronage, bureaucratic misconduct, and the failure of accountability systems. With millions allegedly misappropriated and several influential figures implicated, public attention remains fixed on the unfolding investigation.
The case took a political turn when Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly intervened. Reports revealed that the arrested officer, Iqbal Sanghera, was the only ADC (Revenue) in Punjab granted extra municipal administrative powers – normally reserved for ADC(G) – due to his connections with influential political circles.
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 5, 2025These privileges allowed him to operate with an unusual degree of autonomy, raising concerns over abuse of power.
Investigators allege that Sanghera manipulated postings for personal advantage, expanded his business empire under official cover, secured privileges for family members, and facilitated emigration for close relatives. Accusations of large-scale money laundering intensified scrutiny after Khawaja Asif suggested that a substantial sum had been invested in Portugal. Officials are examining how these activities bypassed routine checks, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities within Punjab’s bureaucratic hierarchy.
Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Establishment has filed a case against Sanghera and reportedly recovered millions from his assets.
Despite these recoveries, questions remain over how such misconduct persisted under layers of oversight – including the Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), Local Government Secretary, Divisional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner in addition to the Anti-Corruption, NAB etc. Observers debate whether these officials were unaware of the misconduct or not.
Sources say that top officer spends significant time at the Chief Minister’s office, leaving little room for departmental supervision. This oversight vacuum emboldens officers, weakening administrative control. Critics argue that bureaucratic corruption in Punjab cannot exist without political cover, revealing a deeply entrenched nexus between politicians, senior officials, and business elites.
Dual nationality and systemic concerns
Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi warned that nearly 25% of FBR officers hold foreign nationalities despite a brief 2023 ban.
Using Portugal as an example, he highlighted that €500,000 (approximately PKR 200 million) and a short residency period could secure citizenship. Zaidi added that many officers and politicians already maintain foreign accounts, pointing to a case linked to a retired bureaucrat from former Punjab CM Usman Buzdar’s circle.
Likewise, there are good number of dual national officers holding key positioins in bureaucracy despite apex court rulings against them.
Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman was not immediately availabe for comments.
However, SMBR Nabeel Javed said he was unaware of the Sialkot case, noting it pertains to housing society corruption rather than the Board’s domain. He emphasised ongoing reforms aimed at tightening control over revenue officers that was currently missing.
A senior officer, speaking anonymously, described Punjab’s anti-corruption system as “virtually non-existent.” He recommended appointing a full-time oversight dedicated solely to governance, introducing blockchain technology for transparent transactions, and placing sector specialists in revenue posts instead of generalist officers.
Sanghera’s arrest exposes the dangerous nexus of political patronage, bureaucratic greed, and weak institutional oversight. Despite reform announcements, history shows these cycles often repeat until political will replaces political cover. High-profile Anti-Corruption and NAB arrests in Punjab have frequently ended with officers securing better positions after receiving clean chits. A senior officer, speaking anonymously, suggested Sanghera’s case may follow this familiar pattern, given his support from a powerful minister.
Calls for accountability
PMS President Imran Shamas stressed that corruption must be punished but officers should be given transparent trials. He noted past cases, such as those involving Ahad Khan Cheema, Maqbool Dhawla, Muhammad Mehmood and many others, ended without convictions despite media scrutiny. Shamas highlighted a broader issue: a broken system where citizens avoid taxes but continue to rely on essential services like hospitals and emergency services.
PMS Senior Vice President Sajid Bashir advocated merit-cum-seniority postings, enforcement of directory retirements for inefficient and corrupt officers, and empowering each service tier to make decisions within fixed timelines. Such measures, he argued, would enable performance-based audits and strengthen accountability.
Former PMS president Tariq Awan highlighted that nearly 80% of officers join the service for power and wealth, facilitated by a patronage system that protects officers through political backers. Federal officers, he said, are rarely punished, leaving provincial officials vulnerable. Awan argued that dismantling entrenched corruption requires public action at streets.
Meanwhile, former PMS president Naveed Shehzad Mirza acknowledged systemic flaws, noting officers often avoid duties responsibly. His focus remains on operational roles rather than criticising the bureaucracy.
Administrative experts argue that combating corruption requires an uncompromising overhaul: an independent anti-corruption commission with fast-track courts, mandatory asset declarations, reverse burden of proof laws, swift asset freezes, lifetime bans from public service, and international cooperation to recover stolen wealth.
Bureaucratic accountability should be tied to KPIs, citizen satisfaction, and mandatory annual evaluations. Open access to budgets, citizen review panels, whistleblower protections, ethics training, frequent staff rotations, and high-profile convictions are essential. Crucially, all reforms must remain free from political interference to send a clear message: corruption will no longer be tolerated.