Punjab govt to hold inquiry against former Auqaf secretary

The Punjab government on Friday announced to hold an inquiry against former Secretary Auqaf Tahir Raza Bokhari in connection with embezzlement of Rs50 million in the Data Sahib Shrine grant, reported 24News HD TV channel.

It is necessary to mention here that in June 2025 massive embezzlement detected in Punjab Shrines' Funds.

A special audit has revealed billions in financial irregularities in shrine accounts managed by Punjab’s Auqaf Department.

Key findings:

• Rs860 million withdrawn from Data Darbar (2015–2018) with no spending records

• 48 suspicious transactions worth Rs190 million from Pakpattan Sharif Darbar

• Fraud in rental income from 600+ shops in Jhang & Okara — losses of Rs135 million

• Hundreds of kanals of land leased at just Rs1/year for 99 years

• Rs35 million withdrawn from Baba Farid’s shrine account

The audit recommends a full investigation, but the department has yet to respond.

Reporter: Qaisar Khokhar