The government has imposed a massive increase in stamp paper fees, triggering strong public reaction.
The minimum e-stamp paper value has been raised from Rs100 to Rs300.
The fee for divorce stamp papers has jumped from Rs100 to Rs1,000 and the stamp paper fee required for domicile certificates for school admissions and jobs has been increased from Rs100 to Rs500.
Stamp fees for new electricity, gas, and water connections have also been raised from Rs100 to Rs1,000.
The fee for property sales agreement e-stamp papers has been increased from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000. For agreements other than property-related matters, the e-stamp paper fee has been raised from Rs100 to Rs500.
For contracts up to Rs500,000, the e-stamp fee has been increased from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000, while agreements ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million will now require a fee of Rs6,000.
An additional Rs20,000 has been imposed on stamp papers used for transactions exceeding Rs15 million.
The e-stamp fee for power of attorney has been increased from Rs1,500 to Rs1,800. Authorities have also made it mandatory for applicants to have a mobile phone SIM registered in their own name for stamp paper issuance.
E-stamping system to be fully implemented in Islamabad from Monday
In separate development E-stamping system will be fully implemented in Islamabad from Monday. The primary objective of introducing this digital system is to reduce fraud, streamline processes and ensure improved record-keeping in stamp duty transactions.
The Islamabad district administration has earlier announced the abolition of paper stamp papers with effect from January 26.
According to an official letter issued by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon to the Federal Treasury Office, the issuance of all types of paper stamp papers will be discontinued from January 26.
Also read: E-stamping system to be fully implemented in Islamabad from Monday
