Punjab Hikes Stamp Paper Fees Sharply Across Multiple Categories

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has sharply increased stamp paper fees, sparking public concern over higher costs for routine legal and administrative matters.
Under the revised rates, the minimum e-stamp paper value has risen from Rs100 to Rs300. Divorce-related stamp papers now cost Rs1,000, up from Rs100, while domicile certificates have increased from Rs100 to Rs500. Fees for new electricity, gas, and water connections have also jumped from Rs100 to Rs1,000.
In the property sector, e-stamp fees for sale agreements rose from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000. For agreements valued up to Rs500,000, the fee is now Rs3,000; for amounts between Rs500,000 and Rs1 million, Rs6,000; and for agreements above Rs15 million, the fee increased by Rs20,000. Power of attorney stamp papers were revised from Rs1,500 to Rs1,800.
Authorities have also made it mandatory for applicants to hold a mobile SIM in their own name to obtain e-stamp papers, aiming to improve verification and record-keeping. Citizens and legal professionals warned that the hikes may make access to basic legal documentation more difficult, especially for low-income groups.
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