ISLAMABAD – Deputy Commissioners and heads of development authoritiesacross the country have been directed by the Prime Minister Office toidentify Benami properties in their jurisdictions.

According to a letter issued by Prime Minister Office to the provincialchief secretaries, all the deputy commissioners will identify Benami andsuspected properties in their jurisdictions and submit their reports withina month.

The letter said all officers are bound to submit their reports to FederalBoard of Revenue and send its copy to Prime Minister Office.

It said in case, any benami property is identified at a later stage, theconcerned Deputy Commissioner or head of development authority may beliable to proceedings under relevant provisions of Benami act.

The Prime Minister, in a meeting held on 20th of this month, had stressedthe need for immediate steps to identify Benami properties, and a proactiverole of provincial governments to this effect.