Anti-Corruption Crackdown Across Punjab; Patwaris Go on Strike, Patwar Khanas Closed for 7 Consecutive Days
LAHORE (Qudrat Daily): In reaction to the strict crackdown and raids launched by Anti-Corruption across Punjab, Patwar Khanas (land record offices) across the province, including Lahore, have remained completely closed for 7 consecutive days, due to which the system of land records and buying and selling of properties has come to a standstill. According to media reports, Anti-Corruption teams have been conducting continuous operations against Patwaris in various districts of the province, including Lahore, Multan, Gujrat, Khushab, and Sargodha. In protest against this crackdown, Patwaris have suspended work, causing severe distress to the public.
It has been reported that for the past one week, all work related to land transfers, mutation (Fard acquisition), and registries has been completely halted. Citizens coming to settle their daily financial and property matters are forced to make rounds of Patwar Khanas and land record centers, while the relevant staff is either absent or on strike.
Sources say that the Anti-Corruption Department, acting on complaints of bribery and irregularities, has raided various Patwar Khanas in Multan, Gujrat, Khushab, and Sargodha, seized records, and registered numerous cases. However, after the suspension of work by Patwaris and revenue staff, tensions between the provincial administration and the department have intensified, and due to the lack of alternative arrangements by the administration, ordinary citizens are facing severe difficulties.
