KARACHI, Jan 20: The Board of Revenue Sindh has held in abeyance the implementation of the decision about abolishing the system of power of attorney till further orders.

Earlier, it had been decided to abolish the system of power of attorney, especially dealing with the transaction of property, from Jan 31.

Sources in the Registration, Stamps and Evacuee Properties (RS&EP) Wing of the Board of Revenue clarified that an advice had been circulated, through the Inspector-General of Registration and the District Registrar Karachi, that all old powers of attorney should be properly scrutinized in the best monetary interest of genuine owners of properties.

The sources said the Powers of Attorney Act of 1882 was meant for protection of the interests of a special class. It helped to promote and protect the interests of people, especially incapacitated, minors, destitutes, old people, etc.

However, over the years, it had been misused by the land and builder mafia.

The sources said in many cases monetary considerations were not passed on to the genuine owners and the holder of power enjoyed “all power” and undue, unlawful and unjust gains.

Owners of property have been advised to see through the game of the land and builder mafia and get their properties mutated in their own names for their own and the protection of their families as a large number of genuine property- owners had been duped, cheated and had to have their hands off their property because of the abuse/misuse of the facilities of power of attorney.

Owners of properties have been advised to pay stamp duty as per law and avoid preferring power of attorney to their entry of names in the record of rights.

The sources said the Power of Attorney Act of 1882 was under active scrutiny to bring it in consonance with the realities on the ground.

Among various options being considered in the RS&EP Wing are:

- doing away with the power of attorney, especially with regard to the transaction of properties;

- entertainment of all power of attorney accompanied by a latest affidavit from the owner that the said power of attorney is genuine and authentic;

- enhancement of the rate of power of attorney from Rs2,500 to such a levy which encourages the payment of stamp duty and their properties legally registered;

- life of power of attorney should be only for three years and five years for expatriates;

- entertainment of power of attorney issued and registered only in the province of Sindh, especially in areas where properties are located.

- reduction in the valuation table.

The RS&EP Wing is of the considered opinion that the owners of properties should be careful of not being duped or cheated as false, fake and fraudulently prepared powers of attorneys are allegedly in the market.— APP