Understanding the Land Revenue Record (Fard) in Pakistan

What the Fard is, what information it contains, how to read it, and why it matters for every property transaction.

The Fard (also called Jamabandi or Record of Rights) is the basic land revenue document that records ownership, area, and encumbrances for every parcel of land in Pakistan. It is maintained by the Patwari (Village Accountant) and is updated through the mutation process. The Fard contains: owner's name, father's name, CNIC, area of land (in kanals, marlas, or acres), type of ownership (individual, joint, or government), any mortgage or lien, and the cultivation record (for agricultural land). A current Fard is essential for every property transaction — it is the document that the Sub-Registrar and bank rely on when registering a sale deed or processing a mortgage.

Property law in Pakistan is complex because it sits at the intersection of multiple legal systems: the Registration Act 1908, the Transfer of Property Act 1882, provincial land revenue codes, local development authority regulations, and Islamic personal law for inheritance matters. Each province has its own stamp duty rates, registration fees, and procedural requirements. The situation is further complicated by the parallel existence of several record-keeping systems: the Sub-Registrar's registration record, the Patwari's revenue record (Fard), and the development authority's allotment record (for planned housing societies).

For overseas Pakistanis, property transactions carry additional risks because they must rely on agents or family members to manage the physical aspects of the transaction. Power of attorney fraud is a significant concern. LexForm advises overseas clients to use irrevocable special powers of attorney (limited to the specific transaction), conduct independent title verification before committing funds, and use secure banking channels for all payments.

How LexForm Can Help

LexForm provides comprehensive property law services including title verification, transaction documentation, mutation coordination, and litigation. We represent clients before civil courts, rent controllers, revenue courts, and the Board of Revenue. For overseas Pakistanis, we handle the entire process through power of attorney. Contact us at info@lex-form.com or WhatsApp +92-323-2999999 for a free consultation.