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Fraud in GOCHS

Summary of the order of the Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Lahore, dated 1 July 2026, superseding the Managing Committee of the Government Officers Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Lahore.

Background
  • The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore, began an inquiry into the Managing Committee of the society, and into officers and officials of the Cooperatives Department, on allegations of illegal cancellation of plots, illegal allotment of plots, illegal sale of land, and corruption and corrupt practices.
  • NAB asked the Registrar Cooperative Societies, Punjab, to conduct a forensic audit of the society. On 24 September 2025 the Registrar assigned the audit to M/s Muniff Ziauddin & Co., Chartered Accountants, to be completed within 30 days, and directed the society to provide its records.
Failure to provide records
  • The Managing Committee did not provide the records, despite directions from the Deputy Registrar dated 2 October 2025 and 29 October 2025, and a request for its explanation on 11 November 2025.
  • On 6 November 2025 the audit firm reported that no record or data had been provided. The Registrar directed legal action against the Managing Committee on 10 November 2025, and the Deputy Registrar recommended action under Rule 48 of the Cooperative Societies Rules, 1927, on 19 November 2025.
Show cause notice and hearings
  • On 11 June 2026 the Registrar allowed action under Rule 48, and on 15 June 2026 the Deputy Registrar issued a show cause notice for supersession of the Managing Committee, with seven days to reply.
  • The Managing Committee’s advocates sought adjournments, which were granted. No one appeared on its behalf at the 24 June 2026 hearing.
  • A group of members filed a revision petition under Section 64-A of the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925. On 22 June 2026 the Secretary to the Government of the Punjab, Cooperatives Department, directed the Managing Committee to reply to the show cause notice within seven days.
  • On 1 July 2026 the Managing Committee again submitted a written request for adjournment.
Findings recorded in the order
  • The Deputy Registrar was of the opinion that the Managing Committee’s conduct showed the allegations of illegal cancellation and allotment of plots, illegal sale of land, and corruption “hold substance”, and that it was withholding records to conceal facts from NAB and the Registrar.
  • Several members had complained that the management did not hand over possession of their plots, but instead cancelled them and allotted them to other persons, which the order says is not warranted under the law.
  • The Managing Committee was held jointly and severally responsible for its conduct.
Outcome
  • By order dated 1 July 2026 (No. 1392-97-DRL/H), the Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Lahore, superseded the Managing Committee under Rule 48 of the Cooperative Societies Rules, 1927, for the remaining period of its term (8 months and 10 days).
  • The order was forwarded to the Registrar Cooperative Societies, Punjab, with a request to constitute a Caretaker Committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the society, and to NAB, Lahore, among others.

This is a summary for members’ information. The findings above are those recorded by the Deputy Registrar in the order, which is the authoritative document.