ISLAMABAD: In a historic move, the Commissionerate of Anti-Benami Initiative (ABI), Islamabad, has seized its very first immovable assets, Plot No. 168-A (Corner), measuring 816 sq yards and Plot No. 174-A (Corner), measuring 991 sq yards, Block H, Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS) under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2017.
These plots have been transferred to the Federal Government of Pakistan officially, and the rights and titles are now vested in the Federal Government.
The inquiry started upon receipt of a complaint showing possible benami ownership of the said properties. When asked, it was established that the person named as the owner was not enrolled in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and denied any information on these properties.
The Benamidar has claimed that her Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) had been used wrongfully for the registration of such plots.
After conducting a detailed investigation, a reference was submitted before the Benami Adjudicating Authority Bench-I, Islamabad, and the case was determined in favor of the Benami Zone-I, Islamabad.
Further, the Adjudicating Authority issued an order of confiscation of these properties as well. After the conclusion of all legal formalities, the properties were confiscated with the help of local law enforcement agencies.
This step comes in consonance with the government‘s heightened action against benami assets, which became more active with the launch of three Ani-Benami Zones in the nation during July 2019.
These zones, falling under the jurisdiction of a Directorate General ABI, have made more than 187 references related to various assets such as shares, bank accounts, motor vehicles, land, and immovable property.
The Zone-I, Islamabad, of the ABI has remained proactively engaged in the identification and investigation of benami properties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP), the Rawalpindi Civil Division, and the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The successful seizure of the plots constitutes a major milestone towards the government’s continued campaign of wiping out benami transactions, non-documentation of economy, trace/catch ill-gotten and untaxed money, check white collar crimes, and create resources for the state
