punjab launches 1st
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Punjab launches 1st overseas digital land registry

LAHORE: In a landmark move aimed at simplifying property transactions for overseas Pakistanis, the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), in collaboration with the Board of Revenue Punjab, has successfully completed the province’s first fully digital land registration through the Pakistan High Commission in London.

The initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing land services, allowing Pakistanis living abroad to buy, sell, and transfer property in Punjab without the need to travel back to the country. By introducing a secure digital process, the system is designed to make property transactions faster, more transparent, and better protected against fraud.

The first transaction under the new framework involved a Pakistani citizen based in London who transferred ownership of land located in Dina, Punjab, to a buyer in Pakistan. The seller’s statement was recorded remotely through a secure digital link, while the entire legal registration process was completed electronically in accordance with official procedures.

Director General of the Punjab Land Records Authority, Ikram-ul-Haq, described the successful registration as a major milestone in strengthening the confidence of overseas Pakistanis and improving transparency in land dealings. He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to delivering international-standard public services through technology while promoting efficient and citizen-friendly governance.

According to the PLRA, the service is currently available to Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom. Authorities plan to expand the facility to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates within the next 30 days through continued collaboration between the Punjab Land Records Authority and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Officials believe the digital registration system will make property ownership and transfers significantly more convenient for overseas Pakistanis while reinforcing trust in Pakistan’s land administration through secure and technology-driven services.

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