Glossary of Land Revenue Terms in Pakistan
Glossary of Land Revenue Terms
Definitions and Explanations
Agricultural Year
The agricultural year in Pakistan begins on July 1st or another date determined by the Board of Revenue with government approval. This date is relevant for calculating land revenue arrears.
Arrears of Land Revenue
Arrears refer to land revenue payments that remain unpaid after the due date.
Assessment Circle
An assessment circle is a group of estates with similar characteristics that allow for a common set of rates to be used as a guide for calculating land revenue assessments.
Boundary Mark
A boundary mark is any physical or artificial object used to designate the boundary of a land division, such as an earthen mound, stone, hedge, or unplowed ridge.
Board of Revenue
The Board of Revenue is established under the West Pakistan Board of Revenue Act of 1957 and oversees land revenue administration.
Commencement
Commencement refers to the date on which the Land Revenue Act or any of its provisions come into effect.
Defaulter
A defaulter is an individual liable for arrears of land revenue, including those who act as sureties for payment.
Encumbrance
An encumbrance is a charge or claim against land arising from a private grant or contract.
Estate
An estate is a land unit that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Has a separate record of rights
- Has been separately assessed for land revenue
- Is declared an estate by the Board of Revenue
Holding
A holding is a share or portion of an estate held by one or more landowners.
Land Owner
A landowner includes individuals who have been transferred a holding, have leased an estate or holding for land revenue recovery, or enjoy a portion of an estate’s profits. It does not include tenants.
Landlord
A landlord is a person from whom a tenant holds land and to whom rent is payable. This includes lessees and their predecessors or successors in interest.
Land Revenue
Land revenue refers to the revenue assessed under the Land Revenue Act or other relevant laws, including rates imposed due to irrigation-related land value increases.
Legal Practitioner
A legal practitioner is defined as per the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879.
Exception: Mukhtar
Net Assets
Net assets of an estate or group of estates refer to the estimated average annual surplus produce after deducting ordinary cultivation expenses.
Patwari
A Patwari is a village-level revenue official responsible for land records and revenue collection. This term also includes Tapedars and Special or Additional Tapedars.
Pay
In the context of rent, “pay” includes its grammatical variations and expressions like “deliver.”
Rates and Cesses
Rates and cesses are primarily payable by landowners and include various charges related to land ownership.
Rent
Rent refers to payments made by a tenant to a landlord for land use or occupation, excluding cesses, contributions, dues, or personal services.
Revenue Court
A revenue court is a court established under tenancy laws to handle land-related disputes.
Revenue Officer
A revenue officer is an official authorized under the Land Revenue Act to perform revenue-related functions.
Survey Mark
A survey mark is a mark set by the Department of Survey of Pakistan for land demarcation purposes.
Settlement
A settlement is an official agreement aimed at resolving a dispute or conflict.
Survey Number or Khasra Number
A survey number or Khasra number is a unique identifier assigned to a portion of land with a separate area entry in the record of rights.
Tenant
A tenant is a person who holds land under another person and is liable to pay rent. This includes predecessors and successors in interest but excludes certain categories of landholders.
Village Officer
A village officer is appointed under the Land Revenue Act to collect or supervise revenue collection within an estate. This includes various local officials such as Lambardars, Patwaris, Zabit, Kotars, Tapedars, Peons, Arbabs, Raos, and Headmen.
Tenancy
A tenancy refers to a parcel of land held by a tenant under a specific lease or set of conditions.
Unirrigated Land
Unirrigated land is land that is not irrigated and relies on rainfall, floods, or hill torrents for water. It also includes uncultivable or waste land.