Data Darbar former officials punished in Rs20.59 million donation scandal

The Punjab Auqaf Department has taken strict disciplinary action against five former senior officials and caretakers of Data Darbar. The action was taken over allegations of negligence, misconduct and the embezzlement of donations collected through shrine donation boxes.

The case came to light after the department closely monitored the opening of donation boxes at the shrine for six months. Officials noticed that recorded donations increased from Rs4.48 million to Rs7.56 million despite a nearly 50 percent decline in visitor numbers during construction work at the shrine.

The unusual increase raised concerns and prompted a formal investigation. The inquiry was ordered by the Auqaf Board and Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act.

After completing the investigation, Auqaf Secretary Dr Ehsan Bhutta personally heard the accused officials. He later approved major penalties and ordered the recovery of misappropriated funds.

According to official orders, the secretary directed the recovery of Rs20.59 million from those found responsible. Initial proposals for compulsory retirement were changed because some officials had relatively short service periods.

Former Data Darbar administrator Sheikh Jameel Ahmed was demoted to a lower grade position for five years. He was also stripped of five years of past service benefits and ordered to repay Rs9.27 million based on his share of responsibility.

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He received a negative service record entry and was permanently barred from postings involving cash handling, donation management or field revenue collection. Authorities said these restrictions would remain in place permanently.

Former Data Darbar manager Tahir Maqsood received one of the toughest punishments. He was removed from government service and ordered to repay Rs11.33 million.

Former stenographer Saqib Naseem was penalized with the forfeiture of four years of past service. He was also barred from postings in confidential branches, administrator offices, media-sensitive sections and security-related assignments.

Separate action over viral video

Former caretaker Muhammad Shareef was cleared in this specific inquiry. However, authorities ordered separate disciplinary proceedings against him after a viral video allegedly showed him taking cash from a devotee.

He has been permanently barred from serving at Data Darbar or any other major shrine. Officials said the separate case would proceed independently.

Another former caretaker, Noor Hussain, lost annual increments for three years. He has also been barred from future postings at Data Darbar and other major revenue-generating shrines.

Dr Ehsan Bhutta said corruption in religious institutions represents a serious breach of public trust. He stressed that authorities would continue using strict legal and administrative measures against those involved.

“Embezzlement in donations at sacred shrines is a violation of sacred trust of the public,” he asserted. He said accountability would remain a top priority within the department.

Monitoring reveals donation surge

The secretary informed the chief minister that a special monitoring team had been deployed to oversee donation collections at major shrines across Punjab. The team’s findings revealed significant increases in recorded donations after stricter monitoring was introduced.

At the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), cash collections reportedly increased by between 30 percent and 150 percent. Similar trends were recorded at several other shrines.

Donations at the shrine of Bibi Pak Daman (RA) increased by 25 percent to 90 percent. Donations linked to Zari also showed growth ranging from 92 percent to 407 percent.

According to the secretary, donation box collections at the shrines of Baba Bulleh Shah, Pir Makki and Farid-ud-Din Ganj Shakar (RA) increased by 14.41 percent, 22.43 percent and 39 percent respectively. Officials say the results highlight the importance of stronger oversight and transparency.

This case shows how stricter monitoring exposed irregular patterns in donation collection at major shrines. The gap between visitor numbers and rising cash collections raised serious questions.

Authorities have now responded with heavy penalties and recovery orders. This action is expected to increase accountability and rebuild public trust in shrine management.