LAHORE – Relief for Punjab residents as the government reportedly ended mandatory requirement for Green Property Certificate (GPC), allowing property transactions to once again be completed using the traditional Fard (Record of Rights) or a certified land record.
The decision comes just weeks after the certificate was introduced as a key part of the province’s land records reform initiative. The decision, announced through a fresh notification issued by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), allows buyers and sellers to once again complete the sale, purchase, mortgage, gift, and transfer of immovable property using the traditional Fard (Record of Rights) or a certified copy of the official land record.
As of now, the Naqal Arazi Record a legally valid document for property transactions, effectively restoring the long-standing documentation framework. The move marks a significant shift from the government’s earlier policy, which made the Green Property Certificate mandatory from July 1 for virtually all immovable property transactions across Punjab. At the time, officials described the initiative as a landmark reform designed to modernize land administration, enhance transparency, and gradually replace conventional ownership records with a digitally verified, paperless system.
Under the now-withdrawn framework, every property transfer was to undergo a detailed verification process before a Green Property Certificate could be issued. Surveyors were tasked with physically confirming a property’s ownership, possession, and location, followed by the publication of an online public notice for 15 days to allow objections. Only after the objection period expired without any claims was the certificate to be issued.
PLRA had deployed survey teams throughout the province, assigning five surveyors to every tehsil, while Lahore’s 10 tehsils received a combined 50 surveyors to handle inspections and verification. However, the latest notification effectively rolls back those requirements, eliminating the need for a Green Property Certificate and restoring the traditional Fard and certified land record as the primary legal documents for completing property transactions.
The decision is expected to simplify the property transfer process by removing an additional compliance requirement that many feared could delay transactions. With the rollback, buyers and sellers can once again complete land deals under the existing documentation system without first obtaining a Green Property Certificate.
Apply Green Property Certificate (GPC)
Visit Your Local PLRA Office
Go to the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) Arazi Record Center in the tehsil where the property is located.
Submit Application
Provide basic details about the property, including:
- Owner’s CNIC
- Property/Khasra or Khewat details
- Contact information
- Supporting ownership documents (if required)
Property Verification
A PLRA surveyor will conduct a physical inspection to verify:
- Ownership
- Possession
- Property boundaries and location
Public Notice
After verification, an online public notice is published for 15 days to allow anyone with a legal claim or objection to come forward.
Objection Review
- If objections are filed, PLRA reviews the claims before making a decision.
- If no objections are received within the 15-day period, the application proceeds.
Certificate Issuance
Once all verification requirements are completed successfully, the Green Property Certificate is issued.
Documents Typically Required
- Original CNIC of the owner/applicant
- Copy of the Fard (Record of Rights) or Naqal Arazi Record
- Property details (Khasra/Khewat numbers)
- Any additional documents requested by the relevant Arazi Record Center
Does Green Property Certificate in Punjab have an expiry date?
