Quetta Property Owner Alleges Bribery by Local Patwari, Seeks Justice from Provincial Ombudsman

Quetta: A local property owner, Mirwais Kasi, has lodged a formal complaint against a Patwari (land record officer) for bribery and unethical demands concerning his landholdings in Mauza Khushkaba Kansi and surrounding areas. The complaint, directed to the Balochistan provincial ombudsman, has led to an official inquiry and subsequent actions, including directives aimed at rectifying the land records in favor of the complainant.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, Mirwais Kasi, son of Muhammad Jafar Kasi, reported that the Patwari responsible for handling his property records solicited a bribe, which he initially paid. However, the demands escalated to the Patwari asking for a 1000 square feet plot from Kasi’s property, purportedly for a deceased individual. This prompted Kasi to seek intervention from Nazar Muhammad Baloch, the provincial ombudsman, who then instructed the inquiry officer, Zahoor Kasi, to take necessary actions against the accused official.

The ombudsman’s directives to the Tehsildar of Quetta on December 15, 2022, emphasized the urgency of transferring the current land records into Kasi’s name within a specified one-month period. Following the expiration of this timeframe, a notice was sent to the defendant to verify compliance with the order. Although the department produced copies of the updated revenue records, they have yet to confirm whether Kasi’s grievances have been fully addressed, as he has not responded to follow-up communications.

Given the passage of time and lack of response from the complainant, the provincial ombudsman has decided to close the case, deeming it resolved unless further complaints are raised. This closure marks the end of a prolonged process aimed at ensuring justice and transparency in land record management in the region.