Patwaris go on strike after anti-graft crackdown

Land records, property registrations, other public services hit

RAWALPINDI:

The Anti-Corruption Establishment has launched an operation in Rawalpindi Division against the appointment of private clerks by patwaris at patwar khanas, and cases have been registered against 10 illegal clerks.

Following the operation, patwaris across the district went on strike and closed all patwar khanas.

They have also stopped sitting in their offices, causing hundreds of applicants to face difficulties.

The patwaris have announced that they will continue the strike until the Anti-Corruption Establishment operation is ended.

The dispute between the two government departments - the Revenue Department and Anti-Corruption Establishment - has brought all related public affairs to a standstill. Hundreds of property registrations and buying and selling transactions have been halted due to the non-issuance of land records and fards, while the sale of stamp papers related to property matters has also been suspended.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment deputy director in Rawalpindi said the Lahore High Court had imposed a ban on keeping private clerks in patwar khanas and the order was being implemented.

He said no non-government employee could be allowed to sit in patwar khanas and deal with citizens or take money for property fards and documents.

Patwaris themselves should perform all the work, he added.

Citizens said they had been visiting patwar khanas for seven days, but the offices remained closed.

When they contacted patwaris, they were told that the strike was against the Anti-Corruption Establishment raids. The Anti-Corruption Establishment's actions have resulted in the closure of patwari offices, causing severe difficulties for citizens.