Court operations across the Rawalpindi division were severely disrupted after the newly introduced digital stamp paper system failed to function, preventing lawyers and citizens from obtaining the required documents for legal proceedings.
The disruption began after the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) abruptly replaced the existing e-stamp paper system with a new digital white-paper format, shifting responsibility for issuance back to licensed stamp vendors and ending the Bank of Punjab’s involvement.
However, during the first two days of implementation, the new system remained largely inaccessible, effectively halting the issuance of stamp papers required for court procedures.
Lawyers Unable to File Cases
The system breakdown prevented lawyers from filing new cases, High Court petitions, appeals, and bail applications. Even routine filings and replies in ongoing cases could not be processed due to the absence of stamp papers.
Legal professionals warned that the disruption could delay numerous court proceedings if the technical problems continue.
Officials from the local bar association criticised the sudden transition, arguing that the previous system should not have been discontinued until the new portal was fully operational.
Citizens Face Major Difficulties
The failure also created difficulties for ordinary citizens who rely on stamp papers for a wide range of official procedures.
People seeking stamp papers worth Rs 100 to Rs 1,200 for services such as domicile certificates, electricity and gas connections, job applications, and other legal documentation were unable to obtain them.
Long queues formed outside vendor offices as residents waited for the system to start functioning, but most eventually left without completing their work.
End of Traditional Stamp Paper
The transition also abolished the traditional yellow stamp paper, which had been used for nearly two centuries for legal documentation, including property registrations, affidavits, and powers of attorney.
Under the new system, stamp papers can be downloaded digitally and printed on ordinary white paper, raising concerns among lawyers about the durability and security of important legal documents.
Questions Over System Transition
Officials said technical configuration for the new platform had been completed over the weekend, and the portal was expected to become operational earlier in the week. However, the shutdown of the previous e-stamp website before the new system became functional created a complete halt in stamp paper issuance.
Lawyers and citizens have urged authorities to restore services quickly, warning that prolonged disruption could delay thousands of legal proceedings across the region.