Land record franchises to be rolled out

LAHORE:

The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has launched a franchising programme to expand public access to services across the province.

The initiative follows the success of a pilot project in Sahiwal and will now be implemented in all districts through the establishment of privately operated Arazi Moawin Centres under a public-private partnership model.

The franchising framework, formalised through the Punjab Land Records Authority (Franchising of Services) Regulations, 2025, is purportedly designed to reduce reliance on traditional 'patwar' systems and bring transparency, efficiency, and dignity to land management.

According to PLRA Director General Ikramul Haq, the new model will not only simplify access to land records for citizens but also promote employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The newly introduced Arazi Moawin Centres will serve as authorised franchise outlets providing a range of essential services. These include issuance of land ownership documents (fard), property transfer entries (intiqal), and the facilitation of digital services such as e-registration, e-stamping, and remote attestation through video links with official Arazi Record Centres (ARCs).

Applicants seeking to operate a franchise must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include a minimum qualification of matriculation, basic computer proficiency, and successful completion of a pre-qualification process administered by the authority.

Existing employees of the PLRA may also apply, provided they resign before final approval and execution of the franchise agreement.

To ensure consistency and quality of service, franchise operators are required to establish properly equipped offices, follow cybersecurity protocols, and operate only at approved locations.

The PLRA has explicitly barred franchise activity within unapproved housing societies and has warned against any form of illegal association or fraudulent activity involving government or private entities.

Once approved, the franchise agreements are executed electronically, and operators are granted system credentials to access land data and manage transactions in their designated service areas.