PM Imran Khan Adamant On Aboloshing Pakistan’s Long-standing Patwari Culture

What is Patwari culture?
A Patwari is a government official who keeps a record of agricultural lands by visiting them.

Patwari culture is a prevalent economic issue for decades in Pakistan, with immense amounts of corruption charges being held commonly against Patwaris.

On Thursday, September 17, Prime Minister Imran Khan put pressure on chief secretaries to abolish the Patwari and corruption culture that has prolonged in Pakistan for decades. He stressed on the need for the entire system to become digitized. This idea was even brought up back in 2012 by The Planning Commission of Pakistan however, the plan wasn’t executed nation-wide.

The benefits of computerizing land records and other land-related data are that it will most importantly benefit the landowners as information will be easily accessible online and it will put an end to the powerful Patwari corruption that has existed for years.

While chairing the weekly meeting of the National Coordination Committee for Housing, Construction and Development in Islamabad, he emphasized strict action being taken against those who cause corruption and unnecessary problems and hassles for others. Furthermore, he placed great importance on the need for formulating a master-plan for the development and enhancement of Karachi, in light of its growing population.

Among the attendees were provincial chief secretaries who attended via webinars. Those physically present at the meeting included Information Minister Senator Shibli Faraz, Special Assistants Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Dr Shahbaz Gill, Chairman New Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, Governor SBP Dr Reza Baqir and other prominent businessmen associated with the construction sector. Furthermore, addressing the business executives, Imran Khan assured that any issue that the business community is facing will be tackled based on the nation’s priority. Suggestions from those associated with the national construction sector will be welcomed and considered.

The aforementioned Patwari corruption culture has been looking into this issue for the past several years. Over time, many Patwaris have been arrested. Earlier in March in Faisalabad, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) arrested a Patwari Mumtaz Hussain along with his Munshi (clerk) Muhammad Fayyaz red-handed while receiving the bribe. Mumtaz Hussain was of the revenue department. The investigators recovered marked currency notes from their possession and locked them behind bars for further investigation.
Moreover, in Sargodha, ACE arrested four accused, including a Patwari, on charges of being involved in land fraud.

These are only a few of the hundreds of Patwari corruption cases that take place daily. Imran Khan considering this menace and abolishing it as imperative is a positive sign. Although the ACE aims at dealing with such issues, there is a dire need for the authorities to completely abolish the system for the aforementioned reasons and also because for Pakistan to grow, making advances in the fields of science and technology, is vital.

About Us:

Runway Pakistan is a complete solution provider for all your marketing communications related requirements. The ultimate hub of infotainment – Runway composes of all the key offerings – Monthly Print Magazine, Digital Magazine, Media Production, Creative Agency, PR Agency and Marketing Consultancy that a brand needs to be seen, heard and known!

Like and follow our Facebook page:
Runway Pakistan