By My Rishta Pakistan · Updated
Punjab's Board of Revenue has stopped land mutations based on oral deals. What the reports say, what is exempt, and how families can protect property.
Information checked on 2 November 2026, based on reports published on 1 January 2026.
What the change is
According to Dawn and Profit by Pakistan Today, the Punjab Board of Revenue has stopped the entry and approval of land mutations that rest only on an oral transaction. The instructions were issued under the Punjab Land Revenue Act and related laws. The reports say the ban applies to sale, mortgage, exchange and gift. The stated aims are more transparency, legal compliance and less fraud and illegal transfer of land.
What is exempt, and what is needed instead
Both outlets say inheritance cases are exempt and continue to be handled according to the law. For the other cases, the reports say a transfer of land rights needs a duly registered document under the Registration Act, 1908, read with the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. Oral claims in sale, mortgage, exchange and gift matters are declared inadmissible.
Who is affected
Anyone in Punjab who buys, sells, exchanges or receives land as a gift may be affected. This matters to many rishta families. Parents sometimes plan to give land or a plot to a daughter or son at the time of a marriage, or a family may agree on property as part of haq mehr. Such arrangements should be written down and registered properly. A verbal promise, even a sincere one, may not be accepted for a mutation. Our guide to nikah registration, nikahnama and haq mehr explains how mehr is recorded, and our balanced guide to jahez, bari and salami can help families talk openly about gifts.
How the process works
Dawn does not describe the steps. According to Profit only, the process is as follows: obtain the sale document (Fard-e-Bay) from the Arazi Record Centre or e-Facility Centre, complete registration through an official stamp vendor, and submit the registered papers to the Tehsildar, who approves the registration the same day if the legal requirements are met. Profit also reports that the mandatory witness requirement has been removed and that the patwari no longer has a role in sales or transfers. Because these details come from one outlet, please confirm them with your tehsil office before acting. The reports do not give a helpline or website, so we do not list any. Your local tehsil or revenue office is the place to ask.
Latest update
As of the reports of 1 January 2026, the ban took effect immediately, and revenue officers were told to follow the instructions strictly. We have not found newer reports that change this. We will update this page if the Punjab government announces changes. The official revenue offices always have the final word.
Simple steps for families
- Put every property gift, sale or exchange in writing and register it through the official process.
- If property is promised to a bride or groom, record it clearly instead of relying on a verbal promise.
- Check the land record yourself at the official record centre before paying any money.
- Keep copies of all registered documents and the nikahnama together in a safe place.
- For inheritance matters, ask the revenue office what the law requires in your case.
This article is general information and not legal advice. For a specific case, speak to a qualified lawyer.
Beware of fake agents and scams
Property matters attract fraudsters. Never pay anyone who promises to “fix” a record, speed up a mutation or provide papers that were not issued by the official office. Use only official revenue offices, record centres and portals. Never share your CNIC, OTP codes or bank details with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If you suspect fraud, report it to the police or to the official cybercrime reporting channel. For more advice, read our rishta safety tips.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ban stop inheritance transfers?
No. Both Dawn and Profit say inheritance cases are exempt and continue under the law.
Can I still give land to my daughter as a gift?
According to the reports, a gift needs a duly registered document to be mutated. Please ask your tehsil office for the exact steps.
Does this affect how I search for a rishta?
No. It concerns property records. If you are still searching, see our guide to finding a suitable rishta online in Pakistan.
Sources
- Dawn: Punjab bans land mutations based on oral transactions (1 January 2026)
- Profit by Pakistan Today: Punjab bans land transfers based on oral transactions (1 January 2026)
My Rishta Pakistan is an independent non-profit and is not connected with any government body or political party. This article is for information only.