LAHORE: As a pilot project, the Punjab government has suspended issuance of Fard (record of land ownership) in a bid to introduce reforms in the land and revenue affairs across the province, starting from Sahiwal district, with effect from May 1.

Instead of Fard, it has initiated the land/property transfer through green property certificate — that proves property ownership, possession and any other legal rights regarding land. Under the new system, the role of Fard in proving ownership rights would be no more, Dawn has learnt.

“This is a step towards ending the very old system under which the Fard was considered to be a primary source of ownership of any property. We are starting it (green property certificate) from Sahiwal district on May 1, followed by Lodhran and Hafizabad districts from July 1st,” explained an official source in the Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) — a subsidiary of the Punjab BoR.

“After abolishing the old system, the transaction of properties would only be made through producing the green property certificates,” the official, requesting anonymity, said, adding that, by December 2026, the whole Punjab would be shifted to a new system.

To a question, he said, “the Fard is the document that only proves someone has property ownership rights and not the possession of property or the sufficient proof for getting loan or proves that the property doesn’t have any legal issue etc. But the green certificate fulfills all these rights,” he added.

According to a letter issued by the BoR on April 28, the board has sought suspension of the issuance of extracts of the record of rights (Fard) under rule 36-A of the Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) Rules, 1968 within the territorial limits of Sahiwal district.

“It is further notified that the Green Property Certificate and property reports issued under the Punjab PLRA (management of land records) Regulations 2025 duly framed and notified under sections 14, 15 and 16 of the PLRA Act, 2017 (Act VI of 2017) shall constitute the sole valid documents for land record transactions within the territorial jurisdiction of District Sahiwal,” reads the letter.

The official said the initiative aims at stopping all sorts of forged Fards, unlawful transfer of properties, controlling corruption and stopping any other illegal activities related to transfer of properties, possession etc.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2026