One of the most critical steps before paying earnest money (Biyana) on any property in Pakistan is conducting comprehensive title due diligence. Unlike developed private housing societies that maintain internal transfer registries, municipal and rural lands require verification through government revenue records.
In Punjab, the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) operates Arazi Record Centers (ARCs) across all 36 districts. Buyers can obtain a Computerized Fard for verification (Fard Baraye Maloomat) using the seller's CNIC and Khewat/Khatooni number. This document confirms current ownership, encumbrances, bank mortgages, and active court injunctions.
In Sindh, property titles in Karachi's urban districts (such as Clifton, PECHS, or Gulshan) are verified through the Board of Revenue Sindh and the Sub-Registrar office via the Registry (Bayan / Sale Deed) and Mutation (Intiqal) records. For Karachi Development Authority (KDA) or Karachi Port Trust (KPT) lands, a fresh Non-Encumbrance Certificate (NEC) must be requested from the relevant authority.
Never accept a photo-copied title document or power of attorney without physically inspecting the original ownership deed, cross-verifying the seller's biometric records, and checking housing society NOC status on the official development authority portal.
