LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday raised serious questions over the working procedures of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), and directed its director general to present a comprehensive system for improving investigations by October 12.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued the directives while hearing a bail petition filed by Taj Muhammad, a registry clerk from Jhang.
ACE Director General Sohail Zafar Chattha also appeared before the court.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Neelum asked the DG whether he had examined all the relevant documents and what statement had been given by the concerned officer. She also questioned whether he had been informed why he had been summoned.
The chief justice observed that the report stated that the accused had been found innocent and questioned the manner in which the investigation had been conducted.
“Are supplementary statements written during an investigation?” she asked, also raising questions over the conduct of the investigating officer.
The court said the conduct of the officer needed to be explained first, adding that the investigation could be discussed later.
Chief Justice Neelum noted that the case dated back to 2020, while the bail matter had now reached the court in 2026.
She questioned whether an officer involved in such proceedings could continue to remain part of the system.
“We understand the system. It is a different matter if we choose not to say anything,” the chief justice remarked.
She further observed that the prosecution also failed to cooperate with other courts and asked the ACE DG what measures he had planned to improve the system and who would conduct inspections.
The ACE DG told the court that an officer at the director level would conduct the investigation.
The chief justice then questioned what the director had been doing previously and asked whether the authorities realised the importance of the post of a registry clerk.
She observed that whenever a case was handled by the Anti-Corruption Establishment, there was uncertainty over whether justice would ultimately be delivered.
The court directed the ACE DG to personally examine the matter and present a complete system for addressing such issues by October 12.
Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Tasawwur Hayat Lak told the court that a case had been registered in Jhang over six allegedly fake registry documents. He said the Anti-Corruption Establishment had registered an FIR in 2020 following an inquiry.
According to the lawyer, the petitioner continued performing his duties during the intervening period but was now being implicated in the case.
He maintained that the petitioner had no connection with the alleged offence and requested the court to confirm his interim bail.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, ACE DG Sohail Zafar Chattha said both those who offer and those who accept bribes would have to be afraid of legal action.
He welcomed the recent arrest of a jail superintendent ordered by the inspector general of prisons, saying such action was commendable.
Chattha also said the investigation had revealed an issue concerning the non-provision of funds to investigating officers. He said the matter would be investigated on merit.
