Purchasing a real estate in Pakistan can be atricky process due to lack of a standardised system,therefore, a complete and thorough search in respect of title of the seller to the real estate must be carried out. A general practice is to investigate title of the current vendor and any previous owner(s) for the last 20 years. Original title document in favour of the vendor must be obtained alongwith other relevant documents including mutation in favour of the vendor, a fresh copy of fard, aks shajra and NOC/NEC as the case may be.
If the transferee is selling the property in the capacity of an attorney of the owner then it must be ensured that the power of attorney is affixed with appropriate stamp duty and it has been duly registered with the relevant sub-registrar. If possible, contact should be made with the owner(s) of the property and authenticity of the power of attorney must be confirmed. A holder of a forged and fabricated power of attorney may not be able to transfer a valid title in an immovable property to a third party.
Non-resident Pakistanis, overseas Pakistanis and foreigners may also purchase immovable property in Pakistan. Their presence in Pakistan at the time of execution of the title document is not necessary.