The Patwari system is a foundational part of Pakistan’s land revenue administration. Patwaris are responsible for maintaining accurate land records, assisting in revenue collection, and supporting government authorities at the grassroots level.
Centralized Control Through Registers and Schedules
Centralized registers and structured schedules ensure that a Patwari’s activities are properly recorded, monitored, and aligned with administrative requirements. They create a standardized system for documenting work, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency. These mechanisms also enable supervisory officers to regularly review performance and ensure compliance with official procedures.
Control Registers and Attendance Schedules
To maintain discipline and accountability, centralized control registers are maintained for Patwaris:
- Attendance is recorded under Schedule “B”
- Area-wise and record-wise data is maintained under Schedule “C”
These schedules are used to track:
- Patwari presence
- Assigned jurisdiction
- Recorded mutations
- Rights acquired through mutations
This system ensures traceability of official actions.
Restrictions on Unauthorized Transfers and Instructions
No official including courts or officers may:
- Directly divert individuals
- Bypass designated control offices
- Issue instructions outside prescribed channels
All movements and administrative actions must be routed through the designated control office, ensuring uniform enforcement of policy.
Recording of Official Visits and Inspections
Maintaining a proper record of official visits and inspections ensures transparency and accountability in a Patwari’s duties. It helps supervisory officers verify field activities and monitor performance against assigned responsibilities. Accurate documentation also supports administrative review and strengthens the reliability of land record management.
Mandatory Entry of Visits
Whenever senior officers visit:
- Assistant Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner
- Director Land Records
- Lawgō / Qanungo
Their visits must be recorded in:
- The attendance register
- The control office record
This ensures that all directives are implemented in their true spirit, not selectively.
Daira Bandi and Verification of Joint Ownership
Daira Bandi is an important process in land management that helps organize and clearly define shares in jointly owned land. It ensures transparency, reduces disputes among co-owners, and supports accurate record-keeping in the revenue system.
What Is Daira Bandi?
Daira bandi refers to the demarcation or jurisdictional verification of land, especially in cases of:
- Joint ownership
- Irrigation source dependency
- Boundary clarification
Before any daira bandi or modification:
- Verification is mandatory
- Prior permission is required
This requirement is rooted in Land Rights Law No. 8 of 1873.
Responsibility of Patwari in Verification
The Patwari must:
- Verify the land status before approval
- Obtain required certification
- Ensure no false verification is issued
Issuing an incorrect verification may result in strict disciplinary action.
Assistance in Government Land Matters
Patwaris play a key role in assisting authorities in matters related to government land, including identification, record verification, and prevention of encroachments. Their accurate records and field knowledge support transparency and proper management of state-owned property.
Board of Revenue Instructions
The Board of Revenue has directed that:
- Patwaris must assist in matters relating to government land
- Unauthorized occupation, interference, or misuse must be reported
- Coordination must exist during:
- Special duties
- Official events
- Enforcement activities
- Special duties
All actions must be completed within prescribed timeframes.
Attendance Rules for Revenue Staff
Attendance rules ensure that revenue staff, including Patwaris, remain accountable and available for official duties. Proper attendance tracking helps maintain workflow efficiency and public access to land services.
1. Attendance at Tehsil Offices
Field Lawgōs and Patwaris must comply with the following:
- Report at the station on the first working day of the week
- Remain present daily during official hours
- Maintain:
- Entry/exit records
- Daily reports
- Court attendance records
- Entry/exit records
2. Supervisory Review of Attendance
Attendance is reviewed by:
- Tehsil Officer (Lawgō)
- Assistant Commissioner
- Tehsildar
- Revenue Assistants
Special emphasis is placed on:
- Mutation registration
- Record verification
- Compliance with land revenue procedures
3. Attendance at Union Council Offices
To improve public access:
- Each Patwari must sit in the Union Council office three days a week
- Citizens must be shown relevant records on request
- Records may be accessed from the sub-office repository
This ensures transparency and reduces unnecessary visits to Tehsil offices.
Legal Reference and Circular
These instructions are supported by:
- Land Record Manual Circular No. 3/87
- Dated 12-05-1987
Administrative Purpose Behind These Rules
These measures aim to:
- Prevent misuse of authority
- Improve public access to land records
- Ensure accurate mutation entries
- Strengthen oversight of Patwari conduct
- Protect joint ownership and government land
Terms Requiring Your Review / Rewrite
Please review and correct these highlighted items if needed:
- [Motion Control Schedule / موشن کنٹرول شیڈول]
- [Civil Patwari]
- [Allotment medicines / الاٹمنٹ کی دوائیاں]
- [Exact scope of “dependency of irrigation source”]
- [Terminology for control office]
Conclusion
Patwari is a frontline officer in Pakistan’s land administration system. Strict attendance rules, centralized control registers, jurisdiction verification (daira bandi), and multi-level supervision are essential to ensure fair land governance. Proper enforcement of these rules safeguards landowners, strengthens state authority, and prevents administrative abuse.