Overseas Pakistanis living in the UAE can now access Punjab land record services without travelling to Pakistan, following the launch of a new facility at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The initiative, introduced in collaboration with the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), enables overseas Pakistanis to access official property records through the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai. Among the key services is the issuance of Fard, or Record of Rights, which provides important information about land and property ownership in Punjab.
A Fard may contain details such as the property owner’s name, district, tehsil, mauza, ownership share and other relevant land records. The document is commonly used to verify ownership and support property-related transactions.
The service is expected to benefit overseas Pakistanis who own residential, agricultural or other properties in Punjab. Previously, many expatriates had to travel to Pakistan or rely on family members, lawyers or authorised representatives to obtain certain land documents.
Access to land records through Pakistani missions in the UAE can also help property owners obtain updated records for property sales, inheritance matters, power of attorney arrangements and family property settlements. Prospective buyers can use official land records as part of their due diligence before completing a property transaction.
However, a Fard alone does not guarantee that a property transaction is legally secure. Buyers should also verify the sale deed or registry, mutation history, seller’s identity and authority, pending disputes, and relevant housing society or development authority records, where applicable.
Overseas Pakistanis are advised to confirm the latest document requirements, appointment procedures, applicable fees and service availability with the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai before visiting.
