LAHORE, June 18: The Anti-Corruption Establishment has started gathering information about 27 'powerful' patwaris working in the provincial metropolis.

The ACE's intelligence wing, headed by its chief, is looking into information regarding their (patwaris') bank balance and other assets in and outside the country.

The establishment will also seek help from the intelligence agencies. It is pertinent to mention that land disputes are on the rise due to alleged manipulation by patwaris.

They also changed ownership of a property in connivance with the land mafia, which resulted in prolonged litigation. A number of cases against patwaris in the province are pending with court. Besides, most complaints registered with the ACE are against the revenue department.

"There are over 100 patwaris in the city, but the initial intelligence report reveals that 27 are corrupt and powerful," a senior ACE official told Dawn here on Friday.

He said a number of complaints were being received, especially against these patwaris. He said the senior officials of the City District Government had also expressed grave concern about the corruption of these patwaris and asked the ACE to take strict action.

The official said no action had been taken against them so far because they were influential people. He alleged that they were being patronized by a provincial minister and the land mafia. "Whenever any action is initiated against them, these people come to their rescue," he said.

He claimed that the ACE had done proper homework to deal with any pressure while taking action against them. During the initial investigation, he said, it was found that these patwaris were living much beyond their known sources of income.

Each of them had also hired five to 10 clerks, who facilitated them in working. A room in a five-star hotel remained at their disposal, he added. "To collect incriminating evidence against them may take about two months," he said, adding the ACE would not let them go scot- free this time.

The ACE will proceed against tehsildars and naib tehsildars of Lahore in the second phase of the drive, the official said.