TAXILA: The Punjab Urban Land System Enhancement Project (Pulse) was formally introduced in Attock district to ensure empowerment of civil society by providing easy access to accurate land records, fostering transparency, and enabling active participation in land-related decisions in Punjab.

A key focus of the project, launched by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) with support from international donors, is to ensure the protection of the legal rights of women and other marginalised communities, in matters of land ownership and inheritance.

The consultative workshop for stakeholders held on Saturday was attended by Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Waqas Aslam Marth, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Aneel Saeed, all six assistant commissioners of six tehsils, revenue staff including Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars, Patwaris and Lambardars. Officials of land record centres and other stakeholders were also present on this occasion.

During the workshop, officials from the PLRA emphasised that the Pulse project is designed to facilitate millions of landowners across the provinces.

The initiative introduces a modern land distribution system that prioritises inherited and priority rights for marginalised groups, particularly women. Experts apprised the participants regarding the aim of the initiative, which is to replace the outdated Khewat system with a parcel-based system and implement a “one owner, one window” policy across the province of Punjab.

The digitisation of land records under this project is intended to protect the land rights of weaker sections of society, especially women, and the waiver of land distribution fees demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for property rights management in Punjab.

In his address, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Waqas Aslam Marth said that the project would play a pivotal role to provide an easy access to accurate land records, fostering transparency, and enabling active participation in land-related decisions. Mr Marth added that the PLRA is improving its capacity by providing quick and easy access to accurate and up-to-date land information for efficient land administration.

Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza said that the Punjab government has launched this programme keeping in mind the problems and sufferings of the people and to get rid of the colonial-era patwar system. He added that under this programme, joint accounts, personal distribution and other revenue related cases will be resolved promptly. Mr Raza was of the view that the project would accelerate efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of the available government land system.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024