GUJRAT: The province-wide strike by patwaris for the last 12 days is not only causing a shortfall in revenue and taxes recovery, but also inconvenience to the public is Gujranwala-Gujrat regions as well.

The patwaris have been on strike since May 11 against the non-implementation of a government summary proposing upgrade of their basic pay scale from BS-9 to BS-11, which they say was approved in 2015 by the Punjab cabinet of the then chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

The protesting patwaris also demand regularisation of their colleagues recruited on a contract basis for the settlement (Bandobast) of land in three districts of Punjab -- Lahore, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin.

Official sources say that the senior member Board of Revenue (SMBR) had expressed concern about the shortfall of revenue recovery across the province during an official online meeting attended by the land revenue department officers in respective districts a couple of days ago.

SMBR ‘takes notice’ as protest enters 12th day

The sources say that the SMBR was told that the continuing strike by patwaris was the root cause of the revenue shortfall, as the BoR senior most officer was allegedly unaware of the protest by the employees of his department.

They say the Gujrat land revenue department has also formally written to the authorities about the patwaris’ strike and their demands.

Meanwhile, because of the strike, the routine functions of the department like issuance of fard (property or land ownership document) and other documents, besides field work of the administration, are also being affected.

Anjuman-i-patwarian, Gujranwala division, president Sohail Gondal says their demands are justified as the “approved summary” should be implemented forthwith through upgrade of

their pay scale and regularisation of settlement patwaris in three districts.

Patwaris from across the district have announced they would attend the protest camp set up at Gujrat tehsil offices daily to show their unity. They vowed to continue to strive for their cause until their demands are met.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026