Bashir Hussain Azad | Chitral Today
CHITRAL, March 14, 2026: A severe shortage of stamp papers in Chitral and surrounding areas has brought legal and court-related activities to a standstill, causing significant hardship for citizens seeking to complete essential legal documentation.
Due to the suspension of stamp paper supplies from Peshawar and complications in the implementation of the new e-stamping system, key processes such as property transactions, affidavits and other legal matters have been severely disrupted.
Sources told ChitraToday stamp papers are currently unavailable at the district courts and designated sale points because supplies from Peshawar have not been delivered. Under the newly introduced e-stamping system, the responsibility for issuing stamp papers in Chitral was assigned to the Bank of Khyber. However, the bank is facing an unusually large rush of applicants and has reportedly run out of stock, with many citizens being advised to return after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The situation has particularly affected residents from Upper Chitral and other remote areas. Many people who travel long distances to reach the courts are spending thousands of rupees on transport only to return home empty-handed after waiting in long queues.
“We come from far-flung areas after paying heavy transport costs, but upon arrival we are told that stamp papers are not available. The government discontinued the previous system without ensuring an effective alternative, and ordinary citizens are now suffering,” said several affected visitors at the district courts.
Citizens and legal experts have expressed serious concern over the crisis, stating that the failure to resolve the issue before Eid reflects administrative negligence. They have urged the government and district administration to immediately address the problem.
They demanded that the authorities ensure the urgent supply of stamp papers from Peshawar and simplify the e-stamping system to reduce pressure on banks and facilitate the public.
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