While most of us are familiar with how the real estate sector operates, we sometimes require clarification about certain technical terms used by the industry experts, developers, contractors, property agents and regulatory officials who document real estate transactions. In fact, understanding the real estate vocabulary used in Pakistan can be particularly confusing for newcomers. Therefore, Zameen.com, Pakistan’s leading real estate portal, has decided to help you out on this front by sharing its ultimate real estate glossary that explains some of the most common property terms in Pakistan in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
Read through these real estate terms and definitions from the top-to-bottom if you want to become a pro at using the industry jargon – or just look up the real estate terms that are proving to be particularly bothersome at the moment.
Pakistan Real Estate Glossary
Here’s a list of common real estate terminologies used in Pakistan in alphabetical order.
AKS SHAJRA
A copy of a shajra (see below) drafted on drawing paper for individual property owners.
It’s a map that shows all the fields (land) in the possession of a property owner with their khasra (see below) numbers marked and boundaries specified. It is prepared on the demand of a property owner.
Aks Shajra is primarily needed in dealings concerned with agricultural land.
BIGHA
A 4-kanal piece of land, equal to half of an acre.
The real estate term is primarily used in Punjab and is becoming obsolete.
FARD
A document that indicates proof of a property’s ownership.
This document is primarily needed for the registration of property (also known as ‘registry’).
In case of a property being sold, its fard, which is originally issued to the owner (seller), is used to maintain a record for registering a property in the name of the new owner (buyer). Once the new registry is approved by the Revenue Department, the patwari (see below) adds new details to his record and –issues a transfer letter (locally called Inteqal) based on the fard issued.
A fard includes the complete details of the property you own, including its exact location, size and property type. It is issued under different conditions as specified by the property owner, such as for recording purposes, for selling, or for preparing a general power of attorney.
The language of this document – if prepared manually and issued by a patwari – is technical.
GARDAVARI
A documented proof of land-leasing rights issued by a gardori (see below) to the person who attains land on lease with the owner’s consent.
GARDORI/GARDAVAR
A person, also called Qanoon-go or Kano-go, appointed to scrutinise a land record.
INTEQAL
Inteqal, translated literally as ‘property transfer,’ is used to denote the transfer of property from one person to another. It is carried out on the basis of the registry (see below) issued for a property.
If done through a patwari, the said official changes the data available in his record by adding the property in the record of the buyer and then subtracting it from that of the seller. This process is called partaal, following which the inteqal is completed.
The record of this transfer is maintained by a patwarkhana (see: patwari) or the concerned Revenue Department.
You can also take a look at the major differences between registry and inteqal for further clarification.
JAMABANDI
The process of updating land records, generally done after every four years.
KANAL
A land measurement unit commonly used in the subcontinent. It is also one of the most commonly used property terms in Pakistan.
One kanal is equal to 20 marla or 4500 sq ft or 500 sq yd.
KHASRA
A subdivision of land with a unique number allotted to it, falling under a specific khatuni (see below).
KHATUNI
A subdivision of a khewat (see below).
Differentiated, as such, in the land records maintained by the Revenue Department. A khatuni is comprised of several khasras. The number can vary.
KHEWAT NUMBER
A number allotted to a particular piece of land comprised of one or more khatunis.
This number can be changed after a new jamabandi (see above) is done.
MARLA
A measurement of land – varying in size between 225 sq ft to 272 sq ft.
In different parts of Pakistan, the size of marla is different, depending on the distribution of land under the local patwarkhana.
MOZA
A specific piece of land in an area that is part of a qanoon-goi.
PARTAL
The process of verifying and updating a property’s records – as and when it changes hands.
Partal is overseen by a patwari (see below).
PATWARI
A government employee tasked with keeping records of land ownership.
Patwaris normally work in patwarkhanas, a place where patwaris conduct their business. It is a common real estate terminology used by Pakistanis.
It is important to mention that earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Pakistan restricted the role of patwari in sale, purchase and transfer of land in urban areas. In its place, the apex court has called for a digital urban land record system in Pakistan.
REGISTRY
A document indicating proof of property ownership, issued by the Revenue Department.
SARSAHI
A land measurement, approximately 25 square feet in size.
One marla is equal to nine sarsahis.
SHAJRA
A detailed map of an area, with numbers mentioned against each particular piece of land or khasra.
A shajra includes the complete details of each khasra, in terms of its size, location, and surroundings. It is prepared from a ‘Field Book’ and is primarily used for the allotment/categorisation of agricultural land.
Please note that this real estate glossary will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back if you are confused about any common property terms used by agents in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, if you’re new to the real estate business and want to be successful at the trade, don’t forget to check out the basics of property investment in Pakistan and learn how to utilize your capital for the maximum profit.
For those interested in buying real estate in Pakistan but aren’t sure where to begin, head over to Zameen Blog for more information on the topic. In case you have any questions or suggestions regarding real estate vocabulary, drop us an email at blog@zameen.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates about the property sector in Pakistan.
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Useful information, Thanks
great article!
I really appreciate “Zameen” for explaining the terms.
Good job Done !