The competition for land ownership is an ancient human trait that is especially tough in developing countries, where finding respectable shelter is a far-fetched idea for many.
Pakistan is one such developing country where the state of land ownership lies in jeopardy in the absence of an organized land record system. The problem here is that the system of maintaining land records, assessment and collection of land revenue is still outdated, unorganized and obsolete at best. But the situation is getting better as provinces take steps to computerize land records.
In a recent development, the provinces of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Punjab have been making headway in computerization of land records to the relief of property buyers and sellers. This step will also ensure that malpractices in buying and selling of land are eradicated once the land records’ digitizing process reaches completion.
With a little help from country’s leading realty web portal Zameen, we will walk you through the benefits digitization of records will bring to the masses.
Elimination of Disputes
The absence of a transparent and accessible land record system often results in faulty records that lead to discrepancies in ownership documents. The legal battles over property ownerships that ensue waste precious time and resources o families fighting for their just right. The computerization of records will hopefully bring transparency in record keeping and make inheritance disputes less frequent.
Restricting Unnecessary Litigation
Cases pertaining to property disputes are pending by the millions in various Pakistani courts. This not only puts unwanted pressure on the justice system but also hinders other important cases that might require immediate attention of the judges. A case involving a piece of land can stretch for years without an end, and even then there is no guarantee of reaching an amicable resolution between contending parties.
Pending property cases in courts only adds to the misery of the common man, most of whom cannot even bear the expenses of hiring a lawyer to fight their case. Digitizing land record will certainly help put the authorities’ house in order and make information related to land ownership and inheritance clearer. The justice system will also be able to resolve land dispute cases in the shortest possible time, bringing relief to the common man.
Putting an End to Bribe Culture
The introduction of the modern system of land record computerization has changed the situation for the better by filtering out the few black sheep in government authorities that resort to bribery to carry out various task related to land records. An impartial, transparent system with clear protocols will help end users get issues like property inheritance and transfers resolved without having to pay unnecessary bribes.
End to Ending Patwari Culture
In Pakistan, land records are maintained by a patwari (a term used for land record officer of a basic rank). In fact the patwari has traditionally exercised complete control over the entire process. The main role of the patwari has been to collect agricultural revenue, record inheritance, sale and transfer of land, and maintain all land record in areas coming under his jurisdiction.
Ask anyone in Pakistan who have faced some land-related problem and they will tell you how a patwari indulges in corruption with impunity. These land record officers have been a major problem for authorities and land owners alike, and have been reported to tamper records at will at a price.
Digital land records will not only thwart the influence of patwaris, but will also provide relief to people who regularly complain of undue hindrances created by patwaris to get their palms greased.
International Trend in Land Record Digitizing
In 60.5% of countries, the property registries comprise of electronic land files due to its many advantages. Keeping these records take less space and are organized in a much better way. Apart from this, the process also ensures that backup copies of records are not lost during the event of a natural disaster or some other catastrophe. This process removes all doubts regarding the identity of the rightful owner of a certain piece of land.
Computerized land record systems can make important information accessible to people at all times. Computerization of land records and electronic filing of property papers and taxes can also cut down the cost of maintaining manual records. Therefore, it is not surprising that of 200 global economies, 63% share their land record information online. Since this process is far more efficient than the old land record keeping systems, large international donor institutions are also providing monetary assistance to countries that are moving towards digitization of land records. Pakistan is certainly on the right track to join the ranks of countries that rely on digitized land records that make the life of their people so much better.
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