DERA GHAZI KHAN: All patwarkhanas of the district have been sealed on the orders of the Dera Ghazi Khan commissioner to avoid any inconvenience after 160-year-old record of the Urdu Mohafiz Khana and revenue record of the district was burnt to ashes in mysterious fires on February 5 and 6, sources told Dawn on Monday.

Following the double fire incidents at the places housing vernacular and revenue records, the patwarkhanas have been sealed to avoid any illegal change in record. The closure has, however, created problems for the people.

All patwaris were directed to arrive at the burnt record room to sort and retrieve partially burnt files to streamline the record again. It is worth mentioning the fire has badly effected the judicial, civil and revenue record of tehsil Taunsa Sharif, decisions of tribal jirgas, most important record of tribal customs and norms which are basis of countless decision of tribal Jirgas.

The eruption of fire has raised many eyebrows.

Sources said the fire erupted on February 5 and was extinguished by the fire brigade. The in charge of fire control operation told Dawn that on February 5, the fire was completely extinguished and electricity connection of the record room disconnected to avoid any short circuit but strangely on February 6, another fire again erupted and reduced the record into ash.

When this correspondent contacted political assistant to tribal area tehsil Takht Sulaiman Syed Musa Raza, he said that all work had been stopped at all Patwarkhanas, including of tribal area mountainous tehsil Takht Sulaiman. Dera Ghazi Khan has four tehsils - Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Chhuta, Taunsa Sharif and Takht Sulaiman.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2020