Role of the World Bank in Land Digitalization in Punjab: An Analysis

This paper analyzes the World Bank–funded Computerization of Land Records Management and Information Systems (CLRMIS) project in Punjab, Pakistan, which aimed to overhaul the corrupt Patwari system. With a budget of $45.5 million, the project introduced a centralized digital land database, biometric verification, and over 150 Arazi Record Centers (ARCs). These reforms improved administrative efficiency, reduced transaction costs and time, and enhanced public trust in land services. The creation of the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), along with supporting legislative reforms, further bolstered institutional capacity. While issues such as digital illiteracy and infrastructure gaps persist, the project stands as a model for e-governance in developing countries, with implications extending beyond land rights toward broader institutional transparency.