What do you understand by the term land Reforms?

Discuss the impact of land Reforms

on the economy of Pakistan?
OR
Discuss the economic and social effects of the land reforms in Pakistan?
OR
What are the effects of various land reforms in Pakistan on our economy?

INTRODUCTION
The expression land Reform includes measure for eliminating the undesirables features of
land tenure system and making land a more efficient means of economic development. Land is a
state subject. The Central Govt. only can introduce land Reforms and implements them.

Meaning of Land Reforms
Land Reforms are the law or arrangement which are made to eliminate large concentration of
land ownership, consolidation of land into economic holdings, adjust landlord-tenant relation and
provide various supplementary services to strengthen the institutional structure of Agriculture
OR
Land Reforms are the measure which are taken by the central Govt. to redistribute the
ownership of land in favor of tillers of Soil, provide security to tenants, and promise equality of
status and opportunity to different sections of the rural population

Objectives Land Reforms
The following are the objectives of land Reforms:
Land Reforms promote equality & justice
These provide Employment
These help to restore rural urban migration
It increase the productivity of agriculture sector
Elimination of large estates

Instrument of Land Reforms
There are three main instruments of land reforms:
1. Land Redistribution
These involve breaking up of exiting land holding which leads to change in scale of ownership.
2. Tenancy Reforms
It leads to improvements in tenancy conditions with no change in the distribution or ownership
of land.
3. Land Settlement
It involve the release of state land for settlement, the opening up of new land for settlement or
the resettlement of land abandoned by farmer owner

Measure of Land Reforms
Land Reforms include following measures:
Taking over the ownership of land on the basis of compensation.
Planning limitation on future acquiring of land by certain classes of people
Tenancy Reforms are introduced which aim at reduce rents, giving security to tenant
against eviction and giving them opportunity to acquire permanent rights over land by
payment of fixed compensation.

LAND REFORMS INTRODUCED IN PAKISTAN

1. Muslim League Land Reforms 1948
Muslim League Land Reforms Committee 1948 submitted recommendations to the Govt. for
reducing land ownership ceiling and improving tenancy conditions in the country. These
recommendations could not be implemented due to dominance of landlords in Muslim League.
According to this policy, a land lord cannot have more than 150 acres of canal irrigated land, 300
acres of semi irrigated and 450 acres of barani land.

2. Land Reforms 1958
Late Muhammad Ayub Khan (Field Marshall) also took a few modest steps to reduce the land
holding of feudal and provide security to the tenants. The problems of reducing ownership of
land and improving the tenancy condition of farmers were, how ere, more or less selved due to
the powerful lobby of the landlords. According to these land reforms a person could not have
more than either 500acres of canal irrigated land or 1000 acres of un-irrigated land?
3. Land Reforms 1972
Late Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also introduces land reforms in 1972 and further in 1977. These
reforms were very thorough and impressive. Howre, these could not be implemented in their
true spirit. The landlords have more or less succeeded in retaining the possession of their lands
on ground or the other. In this policy, the ceiling on land ownership was reduced to 150 acres in
the case of irrigated land & 300 acres in case of un-irrigated land.

ADVANTAGES/IMPACT OF LAND REFORMING
The various land reforms introduced particularly from 1958 to 1977 have a far reaching effect on
our social political and economic life. Following are the important advantages of the land
reforms:

1. Tenants Rights of Ownership :-
This right was accepted first time and more the tenant is taking greater interest in increasing the
production of land. Because occupancy has got the right of ownership of land
2. Reduction in the Size of Land Holding :-
The big landlords size of land holding has been reduced due to the land reforms.
3. Improvement in Agriculture :-
Now the landlords are taking keen interest in their land due to small holdings. They are using the
modern inputs to increase the production.
4. Advantage of Consolidation :-
Due to the consolidation of land our farmer is using the land more efficiently and it has increased
the per acre yield.
5. Elimination of Big Landlords Superiority :-
The land reforms have greatly reduced the superiority of big landlords and it has reduced the
unequal distribution of wealth in the country.

6. No Further Division :-
The limit of economic holding and subsistence holding is fixed in the land reforms. So there will
be no further division of land.
7. Relief From Exploitation :-
Now the tenants are relieved of the exploitation of the big landlords. They cannot
be ejected easily. Now they are not under the influence in the election days.
8. Relief from Tax Burden :-
Due to these reforms tenants have relieved of the burden of taxes because various tax
concessions have been given in these reforms to the tenants and main taxes will be born by the
landlords.
9. Increase in Middle Income Group :-
The number of middle income group will increase which is more mobile independent and
progressive. They would be in a better position to take advantage of education and health
facilities provided by the government.
10. Changes in Politics :-
Now the influence of big landlords has been reduced and in the election people have rejected
many big landlords in various elections. So it shows that land reforms have played a significant
role in politics also.
11. Increase in Aggregate Demand :-
Land reforms have improved the financial condition of the farmers and due to this demand of
manufactured goods is increasing day by day. The market of industrial goods has widened.
12 Reduction in Ownership Limit :-
In case of irrigated land individual land holding limit was reduced from 50 acres to 150 acres. In
case of non-irrigated land the maximum ownership limit was reduced from 1000 acres to 300
acres..
13. Sale of Excess Land :-
Govt. will sell the acquired land to the tenants and deserving people on reasonable conditions.
14. Jagirs :-
Any type of Jagir, Charitable, religious and educational institutions will be abolished.
15. Protection to Tenants :-
Tenants illegal ejectment will be prohibited. In case of legal ejectment alternative land will be
provided.
16. Proprietary Rights :-
Proprietary rights with regard to giving occupancy tenants the existing law will be operative as
usual. Illegal excrete by the land lords are prohibited.
17. Impartiality :-
In any case a joint holding with an area equal to or less than a subsistence holding shall not be
partitioned. It will be managed if a single unit.
18. Free Distribution of Land :-
The excess land will be acquired by the state and it will be distributed among the landless tenants
free of charge.
19. Shikargah :-
The area under shikargah except historical shikargah is to be resumed by the state for the
distribution among the peasants.
20. Restriction on Joint holding :-
Government placed restriction on the partition of joint holding to stop further division of land.
21. Restriction on Transfer :-
Restriction were also placed on the transfer of holdings. A person holding excess land than the
limit can not transfer by sale or by gift.
22. Restriction on the Tenants Ejectment :-
Restrictions were placed on the ejectment of tenants by the landlords. Atenant can not be ejected
without any sound reason.
23. Stud and Livestock Farm Case :-
The area under stud and livestock farms shall be resumed and vest in government free from and
charge whatsoever.
24. Revenue Concessions :-
In 1975, the government gave revenue concessions to small land owners.
25. Distribution of State Land :-
In 1976, all the occupancy tenants of the state land were declared the owner of the land.
26. Further Reduction in Limit :-
In 1977, the government announced further reduction in the limit of land ownership. The limit of
individual land holding was reduced to 100 acres of irrigated and 200 acres non-irrigated land.
27. dignity and Security :-
The most distinguished feature of this land reforms is that they have given the tenants dignify
and security.