Lahore: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has decided to launch a crackdown against private munshis acting as accomplices of patwaris – a news source reported.
These munshis allegedly tamper with land records in patwarkhanas in connivance with local land mafias. According to ACE, this notorious trio of patwaris, munshis and land mafias is engaged in corrupt practices.
Additional Commissioner Revenue Malik Muhammad Awais said that patwarkhanas cannot hire private individuals. He added that the authorities concerned will conduct raids against people involved in corrupt practices.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court has barred patwaris from functioning in urban areas. Former chief justice Saqib Nisar had issued the orders to this effect in a suo motu case.
In light of these directives, the revenue department recently directed all the deputy commissioners concerned to stop patwaris from preparing land transfer deeds.
