HARIPUR: The acquisition of e-stamp papers has become a major challenge for residents of Haripur, triggering widespread frustration and hardship across the district. With a population of around 1.3 million spread over 45 union councils, the entire district is currently being served by only a single e-stamp counter, creating long queues and significant delays in legal and administrative processes.
According to local residents, people begin lining up as early as 6am in hopes of securing an e-stamp, yet the counter issues only 100 tokens per day. Due to this limited capacity, many applicants are unable to obtain the required documents despite waiting for hours. Several citizens complained that once office hours end, they are often sent back without any resolution, forcing them to return the next day and repeat the process.
The situation has had particularly serious consequences for undertrial prisoners who have been granted bail. Due to the non-availability of e-stamp papers, some prisoners are reportedly being forced to remain in jail for an additional two to three days, even after bail has been approved by the courts. Lawyers and families of detainees have raised concerns, calling the situation unjust and avoidable.
Residents have also highlighted the sharp increase in costs associated with the new system. They claim that stamp papers previously available for Rs150 are now being sold in the range of Rs700 to Rs800, placing an additional financial burden on already strained households. Many citizens have demanded the restoration of the old stamp paper system, arguing that it was more accessible and affordable.
Public dissatisfaction has continued to grow as people from remote union councils are forced to travel long distances only to face uncertainty and delays. Several residents described the current arrangement as inefficient and poorly planned, given the size and needs of the district.
Responding to the complaints, Deputy Commissioner Haripur Waseem Ahmed acknowledged the issue and assured the public that steps were being taken to improve the situation. He said that additional e-stamp counters would soon be established in the district to ease pressure on the existing facility. He also stated that e-stamp services would be introduced at all Bank of Khyber branches in Haripur, which is expected to significantly improve access for the public.
Suggestions:
To prevent further hardship, authorities should immediately increase the number of e-stamp counters in proportion to the district’s population and demand. Temporary counters could be set up at courts and tehsil offices until permanent arrangements are completed. Introducing an online appointment or token system could also help manage queues more effectively and reduce waiting times. Additionally, regular monitoring of pricing and service delivery is needed to prevent exploitation and ensure transparency for citizens.
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