The Punjab Police has begun a large-scale audit of all driving license centers following a major corruption scandal at Lahore’s Liberty Khidmat Markaz. This step comes as part of efforts to bring back public trust and transparency in the licensing process. The scandal revealed deep issues in how licenses were being issued, leading to serious concerns among citizens and officials alike.
AIG Orders Strict Supervision of Audit
According to officials, the Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Inspection has directed all district officers to carry out the audit under strict supervision. Each audit will be overseen by an officer of SP rank to ensure fair and accurate results. This structure aims to prevent any misuse of authority or interference from agents during the review process.
Checklist to Ensure Fair Practices
A 20-point checklist has been shared with all audit teams to cover key areas of concern. The checklist focuses on corruption complaints, involvement of private agents, and cases of overcharging applicants. By addressing these issues, authorities hope to detect patterns of wrongdoing and introduce stronger checks to make the process transparent and citizen-friendly across Punjab.
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Review of Footage and Records Ordered
Audit teams have been told to review the last 30 days of CCTV footage from driving test areas to spot irregularities or misuse of power. They are also verifying all related financial and registration records. These measures aim to confirm whether officials have followed the correct procedures and to ensure that no one has taken illegal payments during testing or issuance.
Audit Reports to Guide Future Reforms
The Punjab Police has set November 25 as the deadline for submitting detailed audit reports from all districts. The findings will play an important role in designing future reforms for the licensing system. Senior officials believe that the audit will not only expose corruption but also help rebuild citizens’ confidence in public service delivery across the province.