The Use of Modern Technology in the Patwari System: Transforming Land Record Management in Pakistan

Throughout its history, Pakistan’s traditional Patwari system, whose primary purpose was to preserve the records of land ownership, has drawn its fair share of criticism due to the two main issues of incompetency and lack of transparency. However, the advent of modern technology is changing this age-old practice; bringing about a host of improvements in terms of precision and efficiency, and above all, accountability. The focus of the present article includes the evolution of the traditional Patwari system, how practices of record management in land transfer are changing due to the emergence of technologies, the practical relevance of these changes for governance in a wider region, and what recent electronic strategies have been able to achieve.

1. Introducing the Patwari System

This is a Southern Asian customary system of record-keeping about land ownership, boundaries, and transactions. In Pakistan especially, patwaris are local government employees designated to handle record-keeping over land. They are in charge of large populations who handle the most sensitive land information which is vital in determining property or agricultural ownership, inheritance, and production.

In the past, Patwaris only wrote down information, drawing it from registers and ledgers. Even if this approach has worked for people for ages, the reliance on people to do record keeping will always be hampered by mistakes such as tampering, wrong recording, and scope of disputes over land.

2. Traditional challenges in Tensions in the Patwari System

While the system of the Patwari system is an important one, it is however not perfect as history has proven that there are a few global challenges that make it detract from its target deliverables. These challenges include:

• Poor Accessibility: The limited manual nature of record-keeping and the record itself often leads to records being inaccessible which would make it harder for landowners to authenticate their information, or access them at times.
• Room for Bribery: As Patwaris have a license to hold, manage, and keep records of all land transactions, it sometimes leads to abuse as officials always get opportunities to alter facts in exchange for monetary benefits.
• Dissensions in Land Ownership Disputes: Discrepancies in manual entries invite conflicts over ownership and boundaries. Such conflicts often end up in the courtroom and sworn affidavits.
• Delay in the actualization of the processes: Recording changes or new types of information in the system of Patwari is a very slow process. These in turn lead to total stagnation of factors such as landowners, farmers, or buyers.

3. Use of Information Technology in Patwari System

In an effort to rectify this position and the position which has existed for many years, the Patwari system in Pakistan is assisted by modern information technology. Digitization as a modern way of doing things reduces corruption and enhances transparency in record preservation.

a. Digital crossed papers

With digital land records in an accessible database, authorities can preserve information on ownerships, boundaries, types, and history of land transactions. Automatic registers are better than manual registers as these cannot be altered thus the land owners and the officers in charge have access to reliable information.

b. Geographic Information System (GIS)

GIS is designed to provide maps of the land with boundaries defined accurately. Through GIS, authorities are able to obtain images and maps that show the boundaries of the property together with the position of the plots. This is critical in reconciling differences over ownership and ensuring that such differences do not arise in the future.

c) Blockchain Technology Consideration

In some regions of the World, land records are being planned to be secured using this technology called the Blockchain. With blockchain, data concerning transactions and ownership is recorded in a secure manner that can never be altered which prevents any modifications without authorization.

d) Mobile Applications use to Access Records

Owning mobile phones enables landowners, especially in rural areas who are predominantly using mobile phones to obtain records through applications that are simple to use. Mobile accessibility brings empowerment to land owners since they receive relevant, consistent, and credible information on the landed properties in the first place.

4. Gains of Digitalization of Land Record Management and Control System.

The same digitalization of the Patwari system also has a good number of utilities that respond to the problems of keeping records manually. Some of the notable advantages are these:

• online record system access by land owner: the credibility of the record is guaranteed as it does not only come from the Patwari rather the same information can also be verified on the website that contains the record, eliminating reliance on Patwaris.
• illegitimate tabi/alteration minimization: human input in the record-keeping process is drastically cut down as a result of computerized systems which makes it almost impossible for any of the officials to tamper the record for personal gain.
• recording/performing audit transaction elimination delays: technology tends to expedite the time taken to perform activities such as facilitation of changes in land records and preparation of documents regarding a transaction which improves the level of service and assigned tasks.
• clarity and assurance: The possibility of securing records in digital format and strengthened through GIS and other mapping tools enhances the quality of records therefore enabling clearly demarcated information on land boundaries and owners’ details.

5. Key Initiatives of a Technological Nature in Patwari System

The main purpose for the introduction of the latest technologies in the patwari system of Pakistan is to simplify the process of managing land registration and records while improving its effectiveness. Some notable initiatives include;

a) PLRA

Land records within the Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, have been transformed through the efforts of the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) organization. If and when landowners want to check their ownership of particular parcels through the registry, they do not have to go to the government offices in person, but instead to the website which PLRA offers them.

b) SLRMIS

SLRMIS is also an initiative to continue with the efforts aimed at recording and managing land records in the province. In order to enable real estate transactions for tenants in the province, SLRMIS has enabled verifications of sites and authentic information of owners through a comprehensive database via Internet.

c) KP digital patwar system

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) digital patwar system is an integrated database developed through Pakistan’s Land Registries. This system employs administrator-level users with GIS mapping, electronic business dealings, and web-based interfaces in service delivery to the citizenry while combating the vice of corruption.

6. Completing the technology implementation in the Patwari system and the challenges

Digitalization is a promising factor for the Patwari system but many factors should be addressed for it to be fully operational:

• Infrastructural Deficiency: This kind of deficiency can be observed in remote and rural areas where there are few mobile and internet services which in turn makes the adoption of online platforms very difficult.
• Capacity Building Requirements: In the same breath as above, Patwaris and landowners, for example, are also users of various digital tools, and their use, in this case, requires their training. When too much focus and energy are spent on traditional methods, the benefits of using technology as well as the command over technology are only poorly realized.
• The need to tighten data safety measures: Risks associated with the digital storage of records, including hacking and breaches, will always be present in cyberspace. Protecting such data is crucial in dealing with the system.
• Every other area seems cost-cutting: The resources required to carry out such tasks are tremendous. There are frequent limitations for bandwidth, software, and training course expenditures which may apply to areas lagging in the digitalization process.

7. Implications for future and conclusion

The inclusion of advanced technology within the Patwari system is a great leap towards having an efficient, transparent, and equitable system for land record management in Pakistan. Other initiatives geared towards digitalization such as land GIS mapping, electronic record retrieval, and blockchain technology have enhanced land management services for the benefit of the land owners and improved governance.

The continued improvement of the Patwari system will greatly depend on the investment directed towards its integration with new technology. If the obstacles are surmounted, and more efforts towards technologically assisted solutions are embraced, a better land recording system can be built within Pakistan. This would imply less conflicts for landowners and farmers, quicker provision of services, and much more definition of land ownership, which enhances the governance structures in a country.

In conclusion, mobile phones and the internet are revolutionizing the Patwari system and making it much more effective and efficient than it used to be. While in constant digital reform, Pakistan will be able to change the current practices of land record management and certainly lay down the principles for good governance and confidence in the public service.

FAQs:

1. In what way is the integration of technology transforming the Patwari system in Pakistan?

The Patwari system in Pakistan has drastically improved thanks to modern technology as its digital records along with GIS mapping and mobile applications, increase accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in land record management minimizing corruption and mistakes.

2. Why do you think GIS technology is useful to the Patwari system?

GIS technology assists in the determination of precise maps of land boundaries thus resolving disputes, averting conflicts, and clear documentation of land ownership, especially in rural areas.

3. How is technology able to eliminate corruption in the Patwari system?

Because of the fact that there is no manual work involved as all the records are maintained online, the possibility of record alteration is greatly reduced thereby reducing the chances of bribery and manipulation as well.

4. What are the best practices for combatting risk in the Patwari system due to technology?

Limited internet usage in rural areas, the tanzeem needs to train the landowners and the Patwaris, the risk of cyber-attacks, and lastly the cost of digitalization.

5. How can land owners retrieve their land records via the internet?

The owners could go to an online portal such as Punjab’s Land Records Authority or on mobile apps and check their records and within seconds confirm the claim that what they have is true.