ISLAMABAD, Oct 23: The Estate Office will no longer accept power of attorney for hiring houses for government officers instead it will require original ownership documents, official sources said on Tuesday.

This decision was taken following large scale irregularities in hiring of houses through misuse of power of attorney. Increased incidence of malpractice forced ministry of housing and works to streamline the hiring procedure.

Estate office officials have been directed to minutely scrutinise the documents for hiring of buildings and houses.

“There are strict directives, that no case with incomplete documentation will be entertained,” a official said.

It has also been decided that legal proceedings will be initiated against house owners, who have rented out the same unit to more than one allotee.

The owners will now have to furnish an affidavit that their house has not been hired by any other department, organisation or person. Similarly, the officers hiring the house will also have to submit an affidavit confirming that the house has not been rented out to any other party except them and they too will not sublet it.

Owners and estate office officials do not share a very cordial relationship, mainly because of the inconvenience caused to them and the alleged corruption.—Zahra Syed