In an attempt to expand Punjab’s property services, the Punjab Land Revenue Authority (PLRA) on Aug 3rd, 2026, launched a property transfer desk in London to facilitate Overseas Pakistanis in their property matters without the need to visit Pakistan. This marks the first international property transfer service of Punjab, modernizing the province’s land management.
The Punjab Land Records Authority, the Board of Revenue Punjab, and the Pakistan High Commission in London together launched Punjab’s property desk, revolutionizing property transfer for Pakistanis on foreign land. Through this joint venture, Overseas Pakistani’s will be able to transfer their property in Punjab through a simple process involving visiting the Pakistani High Commission, where they would verify their identity, followed by the use of PLRA's digital land management system.
Services Offered At The Property Transfer Desk
The property transfer desk launched in London offers a variety of services, some of which are:
- Identity verification: The applicant verifies his/her identity in person at the High Commission before any transfer is made.
- Recording of the seller's statement: The formal statement required for a land transfer is recorded remotely via a secure digital link.
- Digital land transfer processing: The transaction is transferred via PLRA's digital land processing system, which is linked directly to the land records system in Punjab, London.
- Electronic registration: The entire legal registration process, from the statement to the final update of the record, is conducted electronically in accordance with the official procedure.
- Transparent record-keeping: No longer do you need to rely on intermediaries to keep records, including Power of Attorneys and agents, which creates a risk of document tampering or fraudulent claims.
Benefits of Punjab’s Property Transfer Desk In London
This step taken by PLRA and the Pakistani High Commission is a major sigh of relief for Pakistanis in London as it offers the following benefits:
- No need for a Power of Attorney, as it is one of the main areas where fraud and legal costs can occur in overseas property transactions.
- No agent or third party will be required, as the transaction will be conducted between the applicant and PLRA's digital system.
- The sale statement is electronically registered using a secure digital link, and the legal registration process is completed electronically.
- Overseas Pakistanis would not have to come to Pakistan, which would save a lot of time and money for the diaspora community.
A Pakistani Citizen residing in London sold his land in Dina, Punjab to a buyer, where he used the services of Punjab’s property transfer desk to transfer the ownership of his land to the purchaser. At the Pakistan High Commission, the statement of this Pakistani citizen was recorded, after which PLRA’s digital system was used to register the sales deed and all relevant processes.
According to Minute Morror, Ikram-ul-Haq, Director General of the Punjab Land Records Authority, said, “This transaction is a major milestone in strengthening the confidence of overseas Pakistanis and improving transparency in land dealings “
Importance of Property Transfer Desk For Overseas Pakistanis
Punjab’s property transfer desk was a much-needed step to deal with the issues faced by overseas Pakistani Nationals related to property sale and purchase or a simple transfer. This step is important due to the following aspects:
- Minimising risk of fraud: Without the need for a Power of Attorney, this is one of the most prevalent means of property fraud undertaken by overseas citizens.
- Saves time and money: Applicants have to travel to Pakistan or pay for extended stays only to finish a property transfer.
- Promotes trust in digital land records: The initiative is part of Punjab's efforts to digitize land administration, which include other reforms like the Green Property Certificate system and computerized issuance of Fard.
Overall, the property transfer desk launched by Punjab in London, UK, is being welcomed by Pakistanis there, as this simplifies the tiring property transfer processes for Overseas Nationals through a safe, convenient, and legal platform.