Property laws
Pick where the property is. You get what the official texts say for that place, line by line with the section and the words, then every law on our shelf for it. What we have not been able to read is listed as that.
What applies in Punjab
Each line says no more than the words of the text it cites. Open the text under a line to read them.
Stamp duty
Stamp duty on a conveyance is 2 percent of the value in an urban area, and 1 percent elsewhere.
Schedule I, Art 23, Stamp Act, 1899, read .
The text says
in case of immovable property in an urban area; and [Two] percent of the value of the property. b) in any other case [One] percent of the value of the property
Registration
The Punjab copy of the Registration Act extends to the whole of Punjab, except areas the Government excludes.
s1(2), Registration Act, 1908, read .
The text says
extends to whole of the Punjab, except such districts or parts thereof as the Government may exclude from its operation
Documents are registered at a Registrar office in each district and Sub-Registrar offices in each sub-district.
s7(1), Registration Act, 1908, read .
The text says
shall establish in every district an office to be styled the office of the Registrar and in every sub-district an office or offices to be styled the office of the Sub-Registrar
The registration fee table is capped at 1 percent of the value conveyed.
s78, Registration Act, 1908, read .
The text says
not exceeding one percent. of the value of property conveyed
We have not been able to read
- The Punjab registration fee table. It is a Board of Revenue notification under s78, not in our library.
Land revenue and records
The Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967 extends to the whole of Punjab.
s1(2), Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967, read .
The text says
extends to the whole of the Province of [the Punjab]
Its list of Revenue Officer classes starts with the Board of Revenue, Commissioner, Collector and Assistant Commissioner.
s7, Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967, read .
The text says
There shall be the following classes of Revenue Officers:- (a) Board of Revenue; (b) Commissioner; (c) Collector; (d) Assistant Commissioner;
Courts for overseas Pakistanis
Act IX of 2025 lets the Punjab Government set up special courts for overseas Pakistanis' property petitions.
s3(1), Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Act 2025, read .
The text says
establish, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, as many special courts in the Punjab as it may deem necessary to try petitions filed by overseas Pakistanis in relation to their immovable properties
Where any party is an overseas Pakistani, only a special court hears the case.
s4(3), Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Act 2025, read .
The text says
one or more of the parties are overseas Pakistanis, shall be heard and adjudicated exclusively by a special court
Under Act CI of 2025, the lawful owner files a complaint at the Property Tribunal for the area where the property is.
s7(1), Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025, read .
The text says
may be filed by the lawful owner of the immovable property before the Tribunal constituted under section 11 having territorial jurisdiction
We have not been able to read
- Whether any special court has been notified under s3 of Act IX of 2025, and whether Property Tribunals have been set up under s11 of Act CI of 2025.
Succession
NADRA, or a civil court (words added by amendment), may issue letters of administration and succession certificates.
s3, Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021, read .
The text says
the Authority [or a civil court] may issue Letters of Administration or Succession Certificates
The heirs apply at the notified NADRA office for where the deceased lived, or where any property is.
s6(2), Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021, read .
The text says
office of the Authority within whose jurisdiction the deceased ordinarily resided at the time of his death
Biometric checks can be done at a notified office in Pakistan or abroad.
s6(5), Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021, read .
The text says
can be undertaken at any notified office within Pakistan or abroad
The old bar on courts in s10 was omitted in 2025.
s10, footnote, Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021, read .
The text says
The following section was omitted by the Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXII of 2025)
The court route: a succession certificate comes from the District Judge where the deceased lived, or where any of the property is.
s371, Succession Act, 1925, read .
The text says
The District Judge within whose jurisdiction the deceased ordinarily resided at the time of his death
We have not been able to read
- The commencement notification and the NADRA offices notified under the 2021 Act, in Pakistan and abroad.
Which office serves which area
We have not been able to read
- Which court, tribunal, Sub-Registrar or NADRA office serves which district or tehsil. No text on disk maps them.
Kinds of office the texts name
These are kinds of office, not particular ones. No text we hold says which office serves which district.
| Office | Named in |
|---|---|
| Registrar and Sub-Registrar | s7(1), Registration Act, 1908 |
| Revenue Officer | s7, Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967 |
| Special court | s3(1), Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Act 2025 |
| Property Tribunal | s7(1), Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025 |
| NADRA notified office | s3, Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021 |
| District Judge | s371, Succession Act, 1925 |
The shelf for Punjab
22 laws of Punjab and 18 federal laws. Oldest first within each topic.
Transfer and registration
Transfer of Property Act, 1882
The rules for transferring property by sale, mortgage, lease, exchange and gift.
The text says
An Act to amend the law relating to the Transfer of Property by act of Parties
From the long title, read .
Transfer of Property Act, 1882
The Punjab copy of the rules for transferring property by act of parties.
The text says
An Act to amend the law relating to the Transfer of Property by Act of Parties
From the long title, read .
Registration Act, 1908
Which documents must be registered, and how.
The text says
An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to the Registration of Documents
From the long title, read .
Registration Act, 1908
The Punjab copy of the law on registering documents.
The text says
An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to the registration of documents
From the long title, read .
Notaries Ordinance, 1961
Appoints and regulates notaries.
The text says
An Ordinance to provide for and to regulate the profession of notaries in Pakistan
From the long title, read .
Stamp duty
Stamp Act, 1899
Stamp duty on documents, with the schedule of rates.
The text says
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Stamps
From the long title, read .
Stamp Act, 1899
Stamp duty in Punjab, with the Punjab schedule of rates.
The text says
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Stamps
From the long title, read .
Land revenue and records
Punjab Board of Revenue Act, 1957
Sets up the Board of Revenue for Punjab.
The text says
An Act to provide for the constitution of a Board of Revenue for [the Punjab]
From the long title, read .
Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967
Records of rights, land revenue and revenue officers in Punjab.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the making and maintenance of records-of-rights, the assessment and collection of land-revenue, the appointment and functions of Revenue Officers and other matters connected with the Land Revenue Administration in the Province of [the Punjab], or incidental thereto;
From the preamble, read .
West Pakistan Land-revenue Act, 1967
Records of rights, land revenue and revenue officers. Its own extent clause names West Pakistan.
The text says
AN ACT to consolidate and amend the law relating to Land-Revenue in the Province of the West Pakistan
From the long title, read .
Punjab Land Records Authority Act 2017
Sets up the Punjab Land Records Authority to modernise land records.
The text says
An Act to provide for the establishment of the Punjab Land Records Authority for reform and modernization of the system of land records
From the long title, read .
Tenancy and rent
Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887
Tenancy of agricultural land in Punjab.
The text says
An Act to amend the law relating to the tenancy of land in the Punjab
From the long title, read .
Cantonments Rent Restriction Act, 1963
Rent control and eviction in cantonments.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for the control of rents of certain class of buildings within the limits of the cantonment areas, for the eviction of tenants therefrom and for matters connected therewith;
From the preamble, read .
Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009
Landlord and tenant law for rented premises in Punjab, with quick dispute settlement.
The text says
Whereas it is expedient to regulate the relationship of landlord and tenant, to provide a mechanism for settlement of their disputes in an expeditious and cost effective manner and for connected matters;
From the preamble, read .
Pre-emption
Punjab Pre-emption Act 1991
The right of pre-emption in Punjab, re-enacted to follow the Injunctions of Islam.
The text says
An Act to bring in conformity with the injunctions of Islam the law relating to pre-emption
From the long title, read .
Partition
Partition Act, 1893
How a court divides jointly owned property.
The text says
An Act to amend the Law relating to Partition
From the long title, read .
Punjab Partition of Immovable Property Act 2012
Quicker partition of immovable property in Punjab.
The text says
Whereas it is expedient to amend and reform the law relating to expeditious partition of immovable property and to provide for ancillary matters;
From the preamble, read .
Succession and inheritance
Succession Act, 1925
Succession with and without a will, and succession certificates through the courts.
The text says
An Act to consolidate the law applicable to intestate and testamentary succession in [Pakistan]
From the long title, read .
Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
Family law reforms, including a share for the children of a child who died before the parent (s4).
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to give effect to certain recommendations of the Commission on Marriage and Family Laws;
From the preamble, read .
Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
The Punjab copy of the family law reforms, including s4 on the children of a child who died first.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to give effect to certain recommendations of the Commission on Marriage and Family Laws;
From the preamble, read .
West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1962
Applies Muslim Personal Law (Shariat), including succession, to Muslims.
The text says
AN ACT to consolidate and amend the provisions for the application of Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) in the Province of West Pakistan
From the long title, read .
Punjab Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act 2021
Letters of administration and succession certificates through NADRA in Punjab.
The text says
An Act to provide for an efficacious and speedy mechanism for issuance of Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates
From the long title, read .
Illegal dispossession
Specific Relief Act, 1877
Court remedies such as recovering possession, specific performance and injunctions.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to define and amend the law relating to certain kinds of specific relief obtainable in civil suits;
From the preamble, read .
Illegal Dispossession Act, 2005
Protects owners and occupiers from being forced out by property grabbers.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to protect the lawful owners and occupiers of immovable properties from their illegal or forcible dispossession therefrom by the property grabbers;
From the preamble, read .
Punjab Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2021
Protects women's ownership of property in Punjab.
The text says
An Act to protect and secure the rights of ownership of women in the property
From the long title, read .
Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025
Protects lawful owners of immovable property in Punjab.
The text says
An Act to protect lawful ownership of immovable property in the Punjab
From the long title, read .
Overseas Pakistanis and special courts
Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission Act 2021
Reconstitutes the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission.
The text says
An Act to provide for reconstitution of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission
From the long title, read .
Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Act 2025
Special courts for overseas Pakistanis' property petitions in Punjab.
The text says
An Act to establish special courts for adjudication of petition in respect of immovable properties of overseas Pakistanis
From the long title, read .
Development authorities and housing schemes
Lahore Development Authority Act, 1975
Sets up the Lahore Development Authority.
The text says
An Act to provide for the constitution of the Lahore Development Authority
From the long title, read .
Management and Transfer of Properties by Development Authorities Act 2014
How Punjab development authorities manage and transfer their properties.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to manage immovable properties of the Development Authorities in a manner that furthers Government’s strategic goals, prevents underutilization of such properties, regulates transfer of properties in a manner that realizes its full potential in a fair and transparent manner and, to deal with incidental matters;
From the preamble, read .
Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Act, 2020
Sets up the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority.
The text says
An Act to provide for housing and real estate development and other activities related to land and construction through the establishment of Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority
From the long title, read .
Punjab Commission for Regularization of Irregular Housing Schemes Act 2021
A commission on irregular private housing schemes in Punjab.
The text says
Whereas it is expedient to establish a Commission to examine the matters of private housing schemes and land sub-divisions which are being developed or have been developed in an irregular manner or without the approval of the competent authority.
From the preamble, read .
Co-operative societies
Co-operative Societies Act, 1912
Forming and running co-operative societies.
The text says
An Act to amend the Law relating to Co-operative Societies
From the long title, read .
Co-operative Societies Act, 1925
Forming, registering and regulating co-operative societies in Punjab.
The text says
Whereas it is expedient to provide for the formation, registration and regulation of cooperative societies for the promotion of thrift, self help and mutual assistance amongst agriculturist or other persons with common economic or social interests and for achieving better standards of living and for the matters incidental thereto;
From the preamble, read .
Land acquisition
Land Acquisition Act, 1894
Taking land for public purposes, and the compensation paid.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law for the acquisition of land needed for public purpose and for Companies and for determining the amount of compensation to be made on account of such acquisition;
From the preamble, read .
Land Acquisition Act, 1894
The Punjab copy of the law on taking land for public purposes.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law for the acquisition of land needed for public purposes and for Companies and for determining the amount of compensation to be made on account of such acquisition;
From the preamble, read .
Evacuee and waqf property
Evacuee Property and Displaced Persons Laws (Repeal) Act, 1975
Repeals the old evacuee property and displaced persons laws.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to repeal certain laws relating to evacuee property and the rehabilitation of displaced persons;
From the preamble, read .
Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 1975
Managing evacuee property attached to charitable, religious or educational trusts.
The text says
An Act to provide for the management and disposal of evacuee properties attached to charitable, religious or educational trusts or institutions
From the long title, read .
Punjab Waqf Properties Ordinance, 1979
Management of waqf property in Punjab.
The text says
An Ordinance to provide for the proper management and administration of waqf properties in the Province of the Punjab
From the long title, read .
Benami
Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2017
Bans holding property in another person's name, with confiscation.
The text says
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for prohibition of holding property in Benami and restrict right to recover or transfer property held Benami and provide mechanism and procedure for confiscation of property held Benami and for matters connected therewi th or incidental thereto;
From the preamble, read .