AIWA Properties Advisory Desk
AIWA advises buyers and sellers across Punjab and runs full title due diligence on every deal we close. This guide explains the Punjab Land Records Authority's Green Property Certificate based on official announcements current as of June 2026. The GPC is a government process — we are an advisory firm, not the issuing authority — so always confirm live fees and steps with your nearest Arazi Record Center before acting.
The Green Property Certificate (GPC) is a QR-coded digital ownership document from the Punjab Land Records Authority that replaces the traditional Fard. It is mandatory for property transactions in Punjab and costs Rs 950. You get it at an Arazi Record Center, after biometric verification, a field survey, neighbour attestation, and a 15-day public notice. Lahore is expected to come online by December 2026, so the smart move now is to get your records clean before it arrives.
For nearly five centuries, ownership in Punjab has rested on the Fard— a manual, paper-based extract of the land record. It worked, but it also left room for forged documents, double-selling, and slow, dispute-prone transfers. The Green Property Certificate is the government’s answer: a single, digitised, QR-verifiable certificate that ties a property to verified owners and an official database. For buyers, that’s a stronger guarantee of what you’re actually paying for.
What the Green Property Certificate actually is
Issued by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), the GPC is a digital ownership certificate carrying a QR code that links to the official record. In practical terms it does three things: it confirms whoowns a property, it confirms the property’s legal status (disputes, taxes, loans, encumbrances), and it ties the record to live government databasesinstead of a paper register. Once a property clears the process, it is given a “Green Status.”
Why ‘green’ matters to a buyer
Fard vs Green Property Certificate
| Factor | Traditional Fard | Green Property Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Manual / paper extract | Digital certificate with QR code |
| Verification | Record-based, easy to forge | Biometric + GPS survey + database match |
| Fraud risk | Higher (forgery, double-sale) | Significantly reduced |
| Owner check | Document only | Biometric (NADRA) confirmation |
| Disputes | Surface late in the deal | 15-day public notice flags them early |
| Status by 2026 | Being phased out | Mandatory for transactions |
How to get a Green Property Certificate: the process
The certificate is issued only after a detailed verification chain. Based on the PLRA rollout, the steps run roughly as follows:
- 1
Get a token at the Arazi Record Center (ARC)
Visit your nearest ARC and obtain a token to start the application for the specific property.
- 2
Submit details and pay the fee
Provide the property information and your CNIC, and pay the Rs 950 fee at a Bank of Punjab counter or via e-Pay Punjab.
- 3
Biometric identity verification
Your identity is confirmed with original CNIC and biometric verification through NADRA, plus a mobile-number and personal-record check.
- 4
Ownership history review
Officials examine past records, prior transfers, outstanding taxes, bank loans, and any registered disputes.
- 5
GPS field survey
A surveyor carries out GPS-based measurement and boundary marking of the actual plot on the ground.
- 6
Neighbour attestation
Two registered neighbouring property owners confirm your ownership and boundaries.
- 7
Official verification
A Grade-17 officer or revenue staff verifies the case in the system.
- 8
15-day public notice
A public notice is posted on the PLRA website so anyone with a claim can raise an objection within the window.
- 9
Two-level final review
The Assistant Director Land Records conducts a final two-level verification of the case.
- 10
Certificate issued — 'Green Status'
Once cleared, the property receives its Green Property Certificate and official Green Status.
What to have ready
- Original CNIC of the owner(s).
- Existing ownership documents / prior Fard and transfer deeds.
- Clearance of outstanding property taxes or dues, where applicable.
- Availability of two registered neighbouring owners for attestation.
Fees and where to pay
The official fee is Rs 950. The Punjab Land Records Authority raised it from Rs 700 to Rs 950 in January 2026. Payment can be made at a Bank of Punjab counter at the Arazi Record Center or through the e-Pay Punjab online system. Government fees can be revised, so confirm the current amount at your Arazi Record Center before you apply.
Rollout timeline — and when Lahore is affected
Punjab is rolling the system out district by district rather than all at once:
- Sahiwal — pilot launched 1 May 2026, the first district to move from Fard to GPC.
- Lodhran and Hafizabad — next in line as the pilot expands.
- Province-wide, including Lahore — targeted by December 2026.
Lahore owners: don't wait for the deadline
What buyers, sellers, and investors should do now
If you're buying
- Prefer properties that already hold (or can quickly clear) Green Status.
- Treat the GPC as a verification asset — it lowers your fraud risk.
- Have us cross-check the record before any token money moves.
If you're selling / holding
- Get ahead: clear taxes and old transfers now.
- Confirm your boundaries match the on-ground reality.
- A clean record means a faster sale when buyers ask for Green Status.
If you're overseas
- Keep CNIC and documents current.
- Set up a registered power of attorney for on-ground steps.
- Coordinate the survey and biometric timing with a trusted rep.
Where AIWA fits in
We are not the issuing authority — the Punjab Land Records Authority is, and the certificate is obtained through official Arazi Record Centers. What we do is the part that protects your money. We run independent title due diligence, check that a property’s record is clean before you commit, flag disputes or encumbrances early, and walk buyers and sellers through the certificate process so the deal doesn’t stall. While Punjab rewrites how ownership is proven, skipping that check is how people lose money.
Keep going
Overseas buying guide
Power of attorney, remote verification, and the documentation path for overseas owners.
Lahore societies
AIWA-tracked Lahore societies where we run full title checks.
Talk to an advisor
Get your property record reviewed before the GPC switch reaches Lahore.
Plot vs apartment in Lahore
Decide what to buy, then we verify the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Green Property Certificate in Punjab?
The Green Property Certificate (GPC) is a QR-coded digital ownership document issued by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA). It verifies who owns a property, confirms its legal status, and ties the record to official government databases. It replaces the traditional Fard and the old manual registry, which cuts land fraud and gives owners machine-verifiable proof of ownership.
How do I get a Green Property Certificate?
You visit your nearest Arazi Record Center (ARC) and obtain a token, submit your property details and CNIC, and pay the fee. The authority then runs biometric identity verification, reviews the ownership history, conducts a GPS-based field survey and boundary marking, takes attestation from two neighbouring owners, and posts a 15-day public notice for objections. After a two-level review by the Assistant Director Land Records, the property is issued its 'Green Status' certificate.
How much does the Green Property Certificate cost?
The official fee is Rs 950. The Punjab Land Records Authority raised it from Rs 700 to Rs 950 in January 2026. You can pay at a Bank of Punjab counter at the Arazi Record Center or online through the PLRA e-Pay system. Government fees can change, so confirm the current amount with your Arazi Record Center before applying.
Is the Green Property Certificate mandatory, and does it replace the Fard?
Yes. The Punjab government has made the GPC mandatory for property transactions across the province, and it is intended to phase out the Fard — Punjab's centuries-old manual property record. Land and property transfers will be carried out through the Green Property Certificate, which is now the legal proof of ownership and possession.
When does the Green Property Certificate start in Lahore?
The pilot began in Sahiwal on 1 May 2026, with Lodhran and Hafizabad following, and the government has signalled a province-wide rollout — including Lahore — targeted by December 2026. Exact Lahore dates are set by the PLRA, so Lahore owners should treat 2026 as the year to get their records clean and ready rather than wait for the deadline.
Can overseas Pakistanis get a Green Property Certificate remotely?
The core process involves biometric verification and a physical field survey, so some steps are location-based. Overseas owners can prepare by keeping their CNIC and ownership documents current and granting a registered power of attorney to a trusted representative. AIWA helps overseas clients organise documentation and coordinate the on-ground steps; confirm the current remote-handling rules with the PLRA, as the digital system is still being rolled out.