Latest news with #AraziRecordCentres
Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Land record franchises to be rolled out
The Revenue Department has completed 90 per cent computerisation of land records in Dera Ghazi Khan district. PHOTO: thecampaignworkshop The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has launched a franchising programme to expand public access to services across the province. The initiative follows the success of a pilot project in Sahiwal and will now be implemented in all districts through the establishment of privately operated Arazi Moawin Centres under a public-private partnership model. The franchising framework, formalised through the Punjab Land Records Authority (Franchising of Services) Regulations, 2025, is purportedly designed to reduce reliance on traditional 'patwar' systems and bring transparency, efficiency, and dignity to land management. According to PLRA Director General Ikramul Haq, the new model will not only simplify access to land records for citizens but also promote employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The newly introduced Arazi Moawin Centres will serve as authorised franchise outlets providing a range of essential services. These include issuance of land ownership documents (fard), property transfer entries (intiqal), and the facilitation of digital services such as e-registration, e-stamping, and remote attestation through video links with official Arazi Record Centres (ARCs). Applicants seeking to operate a franchise must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include a minimum qualification of matriculation, basic computer proficiency, and successful completion of a pre-qualification process administered by the authority. Existing employees of the PLRA may also apply, provided they resign before final approval and execution of the franchise agreement. To ensure consistency and quality of service, franchise operators are required to establish properly equipped offices, follow cybersecurity protocols, and operate only at approved locations. The PLRA has explicitly barred franchise activity within unapproved housing societies and has warned against any form of illegal association or fraudulent activity involving government or private entities. Once approved, the franchise agreements are executed electronically, and operators are granted system credentials to access land data and manage transactions in their designated service areas.
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Land transaction service to be franchised
Public outcry in Canada as Google Maps removing the state owned building on Canada's digital maps. PHOTO: PEXELS The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) Board has approved proposals for the introduction of a franchising model, restructuring of Arazi Record Centres (ARCs) and the procurement of a digital authentication service. In a meeting, the board deferred a proposal to acquire additional land for expanding the authority's head office in Lahore. PLRA Chairman Chaudhry Tariq Subhani, speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, stated that the board's agenda focused on initiatives aligned with the authority's long-term strategy to enhance efficiency, security and accessibility in land-related services. He highlighted that one of the most significant approvals was for the CNIC-MSISDN Pairing Authentication Service (CMPA), a digital security mechanism that verifies citizens' mobile phone number against their computerised national identity card (CNIC). The system is expected to bolster security, prevent unauthorised access to sensitive land records and facilitate new service initiatives such as the franchising model. It was decided that the Pakistan MNP Database (PMD) Guarantee Limited will provide the service, ensuring that only verified users can access land records through their registered mobile numbers. Under the agreement, the first 10 million transactions will be processed at a fixed rate of Rs15 per transaction, with no price escalation for three years. Beyond this limit, transaction costs will increase gradually over the contract period. Additionally, the PLRA Board mandated the use of a registered mobile number for all land record services, with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis by designated officers. Another major decision was the approval of a One-Go Service Model for Arazi Record Centres, designed to streamline the land transaction process. Currently, citizens must visit multiple counters for services such as obtaining copies of land records or processing property mutations. Under the new model, a single transferring officer will handle all steps, including biometric verification, payment processing and service issuance, at a single counter. This restructuring aims to reduce wait times, eliminate unnecessary delays and improve the overall customer experience. The board approved a pilot implementation at selected ARCs in key districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Jhang. The board also approved the PLRA Franchising of Services Regulations, 2025, which will allow private franchises to offer Punjab Land Records Authority services in exchange for a licensing fee. This initiative is expected to enhance public accessibility by increasing the number of service outlets across the province while reducing government operational costs. Additionally, it is projected to generate revenue and stimulate local economic growth by creating employment and investment opportunities. Under the plan, franchise fees will be categorised into platinum, gold and silver tiers. PLRA employees who resign to establish a franchise will be exempt from franchise fees for the first three years.
