DefinePK

Abstract

This article critically examines the strategic interventions of the World Bank aimed at transforming Pakistan's land administration system in digital format. Based on the template of the colonial-era Patwari system, Pakistan's land administration was previously plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and social exclusion. The World Bank's effort, through initiatives such as the Punjab Land Records Management and Information System (PLRMIS) among others, aimed to introduce a new paradigm of transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly land administration. The research examines the Bank's diverse assistance--in terms of financial investment, technical help, legal reform, and institutional capacity building--and its contribution to improving service delivery, cutting transaction times, and empowering poor and vulnerable groups. Institutional accountability and transparency have been promoted with the help of biometric systems, GIS mapping, and workflow reengineering. Despite persistent challenges like digital divides and opposition by vested groups, the reforms provide a model of inclusive and sustainable development. The findings underscore how digital rule can enhance state capacity and social equity in post-colonial environments.