100-Year-Old Rawalpindi Land Office Gets a Major Upgrade

Rawalpindi’s century-old land record office on Jinnah Road (City Saddar Road) has been revamped and reopened, now operating under a one-window system aimed at faster, simpler public service.

A dedicated one-window centre at the Raja Bazaar Tehsil Property Registration Office is now handling both urban and rural transactions, typically wrapping them up within 15 to 20 minutes. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema told reporters that the Raja Bazaar office has been upgraded as a model facility.

The upgraded setup covers property registration, powers of attorney, inheritance mutations, and gifting of property to family members—all through a digital platform. An information desk guides visitors, and all staff—from officials to computer operators—work together under one roof to support residential and commercial cases.

To keep things orderly, buyers and sellers must book appointments online. Applicants receive their appointment details and token numbers via WhatsApp, while the Qmatic system sends automated updates and reminders. On arrival, visitors undergo biometric verification at the reception, documents are checked at the next counter, the sub-registrar verifies payment to the seller, and the process concludes with a joint photograph and signatures.

The refurbished building includes air-conditioned halls, separate waiting areas for men and women, a priority counter for seniors and people with disabilities, clean drinking water, and CCTV coverage. The Bank of Punjab has a fee collection counter on-site. There’s also a dedicated room for senior citizens and wheelchairs available for those who need them. A scanner at the centre reads token codes generated by the mobile app for quick check-in.

Dr. Cheema said the provincial government has instructed deputy and assistant commissioners to make regular visits to tehsil and registrar offices to oversee revenue matters. Commissioner Aamir Khattak has asked Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Murree to adopt the same model.

The centre now offers better seating, help desks, and complaint registers, with service time trimmed to 15–20 minutes. Staff have been trained to deliver respectful, transparent, and efficient service. Adding a nod to the city’s past, the walls feature vintage photographs of Rawalpindi.