In a major step towards modernising public services, Pakistan has successfully completed its first digital property registration for an Overseas Pakistani through the Pakistan High Commission in London. The development is expected to make property transactions in Punjab faster, safer, and more convenient for Pakistanis living abroad.

Officials said the seller's statement was recorded through a secure digital link from London, allowing the legal registration process to be completed remotely without requiring the individual to travel to Pakistan.

Digital property registration to simplify overseas transactions

According to the authorities, the new digital registration system has been introduced to remove one of the biggest challenges faced by Overseas Pakistanis when buying or selling property in Pakistan.

Under the new mechanism, Pakistanis living abroad will be able to complete property registration and ownership transfer (mutation) online while remaining in their country of residence.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce travel expenses, processing time, paperwork, and legal complications that overseas citizens often face during property transactions.

The service has initially been launched for Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom, where the first successful digital registration was completed through the Pakistan High Commission in London.

Officials said the secure digital platform ensures that legal statements are recorded safely and verified before the registration process is finalised, helping improve transparency and reducing the risk of fraud.

Service to expand to Saudi Arabia and UAE next month

Authorities have announced that the digital registration facility will not remain limited to the United Kingdom. From next month, the service will also be extended to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two countries that are home to millions of Overseas Pakistanis.

The expansion is expected to benefit a large number of expatriates who regularly invest in residential and commercial properties in Punjab but previously had to travel to Pakistan or appoint legal representatives to complete documentation.

Director General of the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) said providing world-class services to Overseas Pakistanis remains one of the institution's top priorities.

He described the launch of digital property registration as an important milestone in the authority's ongoing digital transformation programme, adding that the initiative will make land-related services more efficient, transparent, and accessible.

Officials believe the new system will strengthen investor confidence among Overseas Pakistanis by making property transactions easier and more secure while reducing unnecessary delays and administrative hurdles.

The Punjab government has increasingly focused on digitising land record services in recent years, and the successful completion of the first overseas digital registration is being viewed as another significant step towards improving governance through technology.

Authorities have encouraged Overseas Pakistanis to use the new digital facility once it becomes available in their respective countries, saying the initiative is designed to save time, lower costs, and provide a secure legal process for property registration without the need to visit Pakistan.