The Benami Adjudicating Authority (BAA), Islamabad, has cleared all 56 pending cases involving major benami movable and immovable properties within four and a half months, despite operating under adverse conditions, limited infrastructure, and a severe shortage of staff.
The authority had remained non-functional since 2022, with dozens of cases awaiting adjudication. When it was reactivated on October 8, 2025, it inherited 56 pending benami transaction cases, many involving high-value immovable properties. Since then, the authority has disposed of the entire backlog in what officials describe as record time.
During the same period, 13 new cases were filed and are currently under hearing. However, further proceedings have reportedly slowed due to the absence of a registrar and supporting staff.
Sources told ProPakistani the authority was established in 2019 by the federal government to adjudicate cases detected by the Anti-Benami Initiative operating under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Since its inception, the authority has faced persistent challenges, including shortages of resources, logistics, and manpower, along with limited institutional support, which kept it largely inactive for extended periods.
After its establishment on June 29, 2019, the authority remained inactive for four months until November 11, 2019, becoming operational on November 12, 2019. It functioned for one year and 20 days until January 2, 2021, before becoming inactive again on January 3, 2021.
It resumed operations on March 3, 2021, and continued functioning until April 6, 2023. From April 6, 2023, to October 8, 2025, the authority remained dormant for nearly two and a half years before being reactivated.
Sources further revealed that the authority is currently facing serious operational challenges due to a lack of personnel and logistical support. The registrar has been suspended, resulting in delays in official correspondence and administrative processes. Additionally, the authority is functioning without subordinate staff despite repeated requests to the FBR for necessary appointments.
Officials also disclosed that the authority is operating without any official vehicle. A 1300cc vehicle previously assigned to the registrar was returned to the relevant Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) following the registrar’s suspension.
Officials warned that without immediate provision of staff and logistical support, the disposal of newly filed cases could face delays.
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