The Punjab government has suspended the Green Certificate system for six months following concerns about land transactions and property record management.
The decision came after lawmakers highlighted several issues with the system during discussions in the Punjab Assembly. They questioned whether the mechanism had improved land-related transactions and record management.
Rana Aftab Ahmed questioned the effectiveness of the Green Certificate system. He argued that the traditional patwari system had previously handled land transactions more effectively.
He also highlighted the absence of a proper one-window mechanism for managing property sale and purchase records. According to him, this gap could create difficulties for people dealing with land transactions.
Lawmakers Raise Land Ownership Concerns
Raja Shaukat Bhatti raised another concern about inconsistencies in property ownership records. He said multiple individuals had sometimes appeared as owners of the same two-acre plot.
Such discrepancies can create disputes between property owners and complicate land transactions. Therefore, lawmakers called for better management and greater accuracy in property records.
Meanwhile, MPA Amjad Ali Javed said he had already warned the Senior Member Board of Revenue about potential problems within the Green Certificate system.
His remarks highlighted concerns that officials had previously received warnings about possible weaknesses in the system. However, questions remain about whether sufficient steps were taken to address those issues.
Speaker Questions Suspension Authority
The Punjab Assembly Speaker also questioned the government’s authority to suspend the Green Certificate system.
He asked whether the provincial government could suspend a measure that had already received approval from the assembly. The speaker stressed that the legislature should have a role in any decision involving an assembly-approved measure.
The issue has therefore raised broader questions about administrative authority and legislative oversight in Punjab.
For now, the six-month suspension is expected to provide authorities with an opportunity to review the Green Certificate system. The government may also examine concerns surrounding land ownership records and property transactions during this period.
The debate has highlighted the need for a reliable and transparent system that can protect property owners while making land transactions easier for citizens.
