Punjab Fake Biometrics: 4,000 Vehicle Transfers Probed

Punjab’s Excise and Taxation Department has ordered an inquiry into the alleged transfer of more than 4,000 vehicles through fake biometric verification. The case is not a final finding of guilt, but it does place 11 serving officers and officials under formal investigation over claims of financial irregularities, procedural violations, and forged powers of attorney.

The matter came up through audit work that covered two periods in 2024: January 1 to March 7, and March 8 to August 20. The inquiry order says the department wants to examine how such a large number of ownership transfers were processed and whether proper checks were skipped.

What the inquiry will look at

The allegations focus on vehicle ownership transfers that were allegedly completed without valid biometric verification. Investigators will also look at claims that some cases involved forged powers of attorney, including documents said to be issued in the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The inquiry order also says that several Motor Registering Authorities and Excise and Taxation Inspectors processed ownership transfers without sending the cases to the Divisional Committee. That step mattered because some Alternative Dispute Resolution cases and designated ownership-transfer cases were supposed to go through committee scrutiny under the standard operating procedures issued on March 7, 2024.

This is important for used-car buyers because ownership transfer is the legal step that moves the vehicle record from the seller’s name to the buyer’s name. If that record is disputed later, the buyer may face delays in getting clean documents, may struggle to resell the vehicle, or may get caught in a legal dispute over who actually owns it.

Who will investigate

The department has appointed Director Muhammad Asif, BS-19, as the inquiry officer. Excise and Taxation Inspector Ghulam Mohyuddin of Region-C, Lahore, will act as the departmental representative and provide the relevant record.

The inquiry is being carried out under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006. The officer leading the probe has been told to complete the proceedings and submit findings with recommendations within 60 days of the order.

That timeline means the department is moving quickly, but the outcome is still unknown. At this stage, the order only establishes that the allegations will be examined. It does not prove that every transfer in the audit period was illegal.

Why buyers should pay attention

For people buying used cars in Punjab, the case is a reminder to be careful before paying in full. Buyers should check the vehicle’s transfer status through official Excise channels, match the seller’s identity with the registration record, and ask for the biometric trail where needed.

It is also wise to be extra careful when a seller offers a power of attorney instead of direct transfer documents. If anything in the record looks unclear, buyers should keep the sale agreement, payment proof, CNIC copies, transfer receipt, and any office slips that show the process was started properly.

Punjab buyers can also use background guides on transfer rules, such as Punjab Excise New Policy: Re-Register Vehicles from Other Provinces Easily in 2026 and Sindh Extends NADRA Biometric Deadline for Vehicle Transfers to June 30, 2026 What It Means for Buyers.

For now, the key point is simple: the probe is ongoing, the allegations are serious, and used-car buyers should verify every transfer through official records before making a payment.

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