Court proceedings across the Rawalpindi division were severely disrupted after the launch of a new digital stamp paper system failed to function properly during its initial rollout.
Authorities recently replaced the previous e-stamp paper system with a digital white-paper format introduced by the Punjab Board of Revenue. The transition also removed the Bank of Punjab from the stamp-issuance process and shifted responsibility back to licensed stamp vendors.
However, the new portal remained largely inaccessible during the first two days of implementation, preventing vendors from issuing any stamp papers. As a result, lawyers were unable to file new cases, High Court petitions, appeals, or bail applications.
Court Work Comes to a Halt
From the start of office hours until closing time, the digital platform remained non-functional, leaving legal professionals unable to complete basic court procedures.
Without stamp papers, lawyers could not submit replies in ongoing cases or initiate new legal filings. This effectively halted a wide range of court activities across district courts in the region.
Legal practitioners warned that prolonged technical issues could create a backlog of cases and delay justice for many litigants.
Citizens Face Major Inconvenience
Ordinary citizens were also affected by the breakdown of the new system.
Stamp papers ranging from Rs100 to Rs1,200 are commonly required for a variety of official purposes, including domicile certificates, utility connections, job applications, and legal affidavits. However, people visiting stamp vendors during the first two days of the new system’s rollout were unable to obtain any documents.
Long queues formed outside vendors’ offices as residents waited for hours, only to leave empty-handed due to the technical failures.
Concerns Over Abrupt System Change
The transition also marked the end of the traditional yellow stamp paper system that had been in use for nearly two centuries for property registrations, affidavits, and powers of attorney.
The new system allows stamp documents to be downloaded and printed on ordinary white paper, raising concerns among legal professionals about the durability and reliability of such documents for long-term record keeping.
Lawyers have criticised the authorities for shutting down the previous system before ensuring the new platform was fully operational.
