The Karachi Development Authority has announced a new barcode-based tracking system to modernise how land records are managed across the city. Officials say the move will improve transparency and reduce delays in processing property files.

KDA Director General Asif Jan Siddiqui discussed the plan on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Competition Commission of Pakistan. Commission member Bushra Naz Malik led the delegation. The two sides met at the Civic Centre and focused on institutional reforms and citizen protections in land matters.

During the discussion, Malik briefed the KDA chief on the CCP’s role in promoting fair competition. She explained how the commission works to prevent anti-competitive practices and safeguard consumer rights. She also said the commission would continue raising public awareness and addressing complaints related to land disputes.

Siddiqui said the KDA is digitising its land records in phases. Additionally, the authority is building a secure digital archive that citizens can access remotely. He said this shift will help preserve records more reliably while cutting down on delays and irregularities.

He further explained that the new system will track file movement electronically from start to finish. This approach should make it easier to spot bottlenecks and ensure timely action on pending cases. However, officials stressed that the rollout will happen gradually rather than all at once.

Siddiqui also emphasised that transparency, merit and fair competition remain central to a credible institutional system. Meanwhile, he said the KDA views this digitisation drive as part of a broader push toward modern governance.

Senior officials from both institutions attended the meeting and discussed next steps for implementation. Officials expect the changes to cut down paperwork and reduce human error significantly. Finally, both sides agreed to maintain regular coordination as the digitisation process moves forward.

Once completed, the initiative could serve as a model for other public departments handling land records. Citizens are expected to benefit from faster processing times and greater access to accurate information. Instead of relying solely on manual files, the authority hopes technology will close longstanding gaps in record management.