Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered all deputy commissioners and heads of development authorities across the country to identify Benami properties in their jurisdictions.
In a letter issued by the Prime Minister Office, the PM emphasized the need to support the anti-corruption drive through pro-active policies, strategies, and approaches to curb corruption at all levels in the government and society.
He said that reports on the subject should be submitted to the Federal Board of Revenue chairman by the end of the next month i.e. 30th September 2019.
He urged that there is a pressing need to track benami properties across the country and asked that the provincial governments should adopt a proactive role for tracking benami properties in their provinces.
The letter stated that a certificate shall be issued by the deputy commissioner or the head of development authority, as required, that no benami property or suspected benami property exists apart from the ones identified already.
The Prime Minister warned to take strict action against the concerned deputy commissioner or the head of development authority if any benami property is identified later. The proceedings will be under relevant provisions.
Earlier this month, the government constituted a six-member Benami Information Processing Committee comprising officials from different agencies/organizations including Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The purpose of the Benami Information Processing Committee is to expedite action against benami assets and assist relevant authorities to improve their performance.
A Benami transaction is when a property is transferred to or held by a person and the consideration for such property has been provided or paid by, another person (the trustees and wife, children, brother or sister to whom property has been transferred from known resources will be excluded).
