THE persistent shortage of revenue stamps and judicial stamp papers across Pakistan has become a serious administrative failure that deserves immediate attention from the government and the judiciary.
Every day, thousands of citizens require these legal documents for affidavits, agreements, property transfers, court cases,bankingtransactions and other official purposes. Authorised vendors frequently claim that stamp papers are out of stock, while these are openly sold outside courts and government offices at exorbitant prices.
This raises an obvious question: if there is a genuine shortage, how do unauthorised brokers consistently have sufficient stocks? The situation suggests that the problem is not merely one of supply, but also of weak oversight, possible diversion of official stocks and organised profiteering.
The consequences are severe. Citizens,already struggling with high inflation, are forced to pay illegal premiums simply to complete legally required documentation.
Court proceedings are delayed, property transactions are hindered,and accessto justice becomes unnecessarily expensive.
Moreover, shortages create opportunities for counterfeit stamp papers, exposing innocent citizens to fraud and lengthy legal disputes. It is equally disturbing that unauthorised vendors operate outside courts without any visible enforcement action. Their presence undermines public confidence in the integrity of institutions and the rule of law.
The authorities must act decisively. A nationwide electronic stamp system with secure digital verification should be introduced to eliminate hoarding and black marketing. The government should ensure uninterrupted supply to licensed vendors, publish transparent distribution records, conduct regular inspections, and prosecute those involved in diverting or illegally selling official stamp papers. Revenue stamps and stamp papers are essential legal instruments, not commodities to be controlled by greedy middlemen. Ensuring their availability at official prices is a fundamental responsibility of the state.
MubasherMir Karachi