LAHORE – The Punjab government has made the Green Property Certificate (GPS) mandatory for all types of property transactions starting July 2026.
Following the implementation of the new rule, overseas Pakistanis raised concerns that they would have to travel to Pakistan to obtain the certificate for properties they own in the province. They said such trips would impose a significant financial burden due to airfare, accommodation, and other expenses.
To address these concerns, the Punjab government has introduced a facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to obtain the Green Property Certificate without visiting Pakistan.
How Overseas Pakistanis Can Obtain the GPS
According to an official, in an informative video, overseas Pakistanis are no longer required to travel to Pakistan to apply for the certificate.
Instead, they can issue a power of attorney to a person residing in Pakistan, authorizing them to apply for the Green Property Certificate on their behalf.
The authorized representative in Pakistan will then need to follow the prescribed steps to apply for the GPS on behalf of the overseas property owner.
The 10-Step Process
1. Token Issuance & Start of Process: The citizen visits their nearest Arazi Record Center (ARC). After a token is issued, the Service Center Official begins the process for the Green Property Certificate.
2. Details & Fee Payment: Property details are provided, and the required fee is paid at the ARC’s Bank of Punjab counter or via online payment methods (e-Pay).
3. Identity Verification: The citizen’s original CNIC is checked, and biometric verification is conducted via NADRA. Registered mobile numbers and record details (name, father’s name) are also cross-referenced.
4. Review of Ownership History: A review of the property’s history is conducted to ensure the sale/purchase was legal and that there are no outstanding taxes, bank mortgages, or active court disputes.
5. Field Survey & Land Inspection: A surveyor visits the site to inspect the land. Modern GPS technology is used to mark boundaries and measure the exact area.
6. Neighboring Owners’ Verification: Two neighboring property owners, whose records already exist in the PLRA system, verify the citizen’s ownership and possession of the land.
7. Gazetted Officer & Revenue Staff Verification: A Grade-17 officer or authorized revenue staff member verifies the possession in the system.
8. Public Notice (15 Days): Following the field survey, a 15-day public notice is issued. This information is available on the PLRA website. If no objections are received within 15 days, the case moves to the final stage.
9. Final Review & Certification: An Assistant Director of Land Records reviews the case. If there are no disputes, the possession report is verified at two levels (Revenue Officer and Gazetted Officer).
10. Issuance of Green Property Certificate: Once all stages are cleared, the property is given “Green Status,” and the ADLR issues the final Green Property Certificate, which serves as a guarantee of secure and transparent ownership.
Green Property Certificate Fee
The Punjab Land Record Authority has fixed the fee for Green Property Certificate at Rs 950.
