MULTAN: The Anjuman Patwarian on Friday called off its strike it launched over the issue of ‘forcible’ identification of benami properties.

The patwaris’ association claimed that the district administration had agreed to the demands after series of meetings.

Patwaris of the tehsil went on pen-down strike on Oct 1 after they were directed by the district administration to submit a list of 10 properties, benami or otherwise, in each mauza. They contended that they could not provide the list until it was confirmed that the property was benami.

Dist admin comes round to their view on benami properties

Soon after the announcement of strike, the district administration suspended Anjuman Patwarian divisional president Rai Arif, Niaz Ahmed Shah and Malik Abdul Wajid Sandela on Oct 2.

The very next day, the district chapter of the association announced strike over what the revenue officials said unjustified demand of the district administration and suspension of their colleagues.

Several sessions of negotiations between the representatives of the patwaris and the district administration were held and the former refused to provide fake lists.

They also said Rs100 fixed fee to register each Intiqal (mutation) had not been paid to the patwaris.

Anjuman Patwarian divisional general secretary Malik Aslam Raan said the final round of negotiations was held two days ago and the administration agreed to withdraw the suspension orders make payment of mutation fee. The officials issued a notification two days later.

“We were asked to prepare fake lists and threatened that in case of resistance action would be taken against us,” he said.

Divisional President Rai Arif said the district administration did not take up the issue of benami properties rather it kept insisting on ending the strike which had been called off after the demands had been accepted. He said the patwaris would resume their duties on Saturday (today).

A committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Agha Zaheer Sherazi was constituted by Deputy Commissioner Aamer Khattak to identify the benami properties as directed by the provincial government.

Earlier, the provincial government set Sept 30 deadline for the identification of the benami properties and now it has been extended till Dec 31.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2019