By Muhammad Luqman

Punjab has begun replacing its centuries-old land ownership verification system with the Green Property Certificate (GPC), a digital ownership document designed to make property transactions more secure, transparent and legally verifiable while reducing land fraud and ownership disputes.

The reform marks one of the most significant changes to Punjab's land administration in decades. The Green Property Certificate replaces the traditional Fard as the principal proof of ownership, possession and other legal rights relating to land. According to the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), the certificate will become mandatory for all land and property transactions across the province's 41 districts from July 1.

According to PLRA officials, the Green Property Certificate is an electronically generated ownership document that verifies the legal status, ownership and possession of a property. It has been developed to modernize land ownership verification and improve the reliability of property transactions.

"No land transaction will be possible in the province without a Green Property Certificate in any of Punjab's 41 districts from the beginning of fiscal year 2026-27," Punjab Land Records Authority spokesperson Ali Raza Buttar told Wealth Pakistan.

The Green Property Certificate was introduced as a pilot project in Sahiwal district on May 1, when the issuance of Fard was suspended as part of broader reforms in Punjab's land and revenue administration.

According to Buttar, the traditional Fard merely establishes ownership rights and does not provide proof of possession, verification of a property’s legal status, nor does it serve as sufficient documentation for obtaining bank financing. The Green Property Certificate has been designed to overcome these limitations by providing a more comprehensive and reliable ownership record.

He said the initiative aims to eliminate forged Fards, prevent illegal property transfers, curb corruption and reduce other unlawful practices related to property ownership and possession.

The Green Property Certificate will apply to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties across Punjab, including land, houses and apartments.

"A single certificate in both English and Urdu will be issued after completion of the verification process on payment of a fee of Rs900," Buttar said.

He added that the certificate is integrated with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) database and features a machine-readable QR code linked to the property's digital map.

"The Green Property Certificate represents a major transformation in Punjab's property ownership system. Through biometric verification, GPS mapping, public transparency and QR-coded ownership records, the Punjab Land Records Authority is creating a safer, more transparent and reliable property ecosystem," he said.

Industry stakeholders believe the Green Property Certificate has the potential to modernize Punjab's land administration and improve transparency in the real estate sector. They say its long-term success, however, will depend on effective implementation, smooth integration across all districts and the inclusion of private housing societies within the new digital property verification framework.

Real estate professionals have also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards improving confidence in property transactions and reducing land fraud.

"Obtaining a Green Property Certificate will be no less than insurance for both buyers and sellers because the government will guarantee the authenticity of the transaction," Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President of the Real Estate Agents Association, told Wealth Pakistan.

However, he urged the government to ensure that land and property transactions in private housing societies are also effectively brought under the new system.

He also called on the Punjab government to continue refining the initiative by addressing any teething issues that may emerge during the early stages of implementation.

Credit: INP-WealthPk