The Green Property Certificate is a new land record document in Punjab that proves who owns a property, who is in possession of it and where its boundaries are. It was introduced to replace the fard. During 2026 the rule changed three times in three months, so many buyers and sellers in Lahore are unsure what they need today.
This guide explains what the certificate is, where the rule stands as of November 2026, how to apply, what it costs and what to check before you buy. We update it whenever the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) or the Punjab government announces a change.
What is the Green Property Certificate?
The Green Property Certificate (GPC) is an official certificate issued through the Punjab Land Records Authority. It confirms three things about a property: who owns it, who is in possession of it, and where its boundaries are.
Before it is issued, the property goes through several checks:
- The applicant’s identity is confirmed through NADRA.
- A surveyor measures the land with GPS.
- Neighboring owners confirm possession.
- An officer reviews the record for disputes, taxes or bank loans.
The certificate was designed to replace the fard. According to officials, the fard proves ownership only. It does not show possession, whether the property is good for a loan, or whether it has legal issues. The Punjab Board of Revenue says the aim of the Green Property Certificate is to stop forged fards, illegal transfers and corruption in land transactions.
Is the Green Property Certificate mandatory in Punjab right now?
No. As of November 2026, you do not need a Green Property Certificate to buy or sell property in Punjab. On August 27, 2026, the Punjab government suspended the Green Certificate system for six months, after members of the Punjab Assembly raised problems with how it was working.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Certificates start in a first group of 20 districts, including Sialkot, Multan, Sahiwal and Jhelum |
| May 1, 2026 | In Sahiwal, the certificate becomes the only valid document for land transactions, and fard issuance stops there |
| July 1, 2026 | The certificate becomes required for all land and property transactions across Punjab, and the “Fard Baraye Bai” is abolished |
| July 11, 2026 | PLRA declares the “Naqal Arazi Record” legally valid again, and fard issuance resumes because many land records were not fully computerized |
| August 27, 2026 | The Punjab government suspends the Green Certificate system for six months |
If the suspension is not extended, it would end around late February 2027. These rules can change quickly, so confirm the current position with your local Arazi Record Centre, PLRA or your property advisor before you sign anything.
Green Property Certificate vs fard: what is the difference?
The fard shows who owns land in the official record. The Green Property Certificate was meant to show more: ownership, possession and boundaries, each checked on the ground.
| Fard (naqal arazi record) | Green Property Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Ownership as recorded in the record of rights | Ownership, possession and boundaries |
| How it is checked | Copy from the computerized land record | NADRA identity check, GPS survey, neighbor confirmation, officer review and a 15-day public notice |
| Status in Punjab, November 2026 | Accepted for transactions | System suspended for six months from August 27, 2026 |
Does it apply to Johar Town, LDA schemes and housing societies?
Not in the same way. The Green Property Certificate was built to replace the fard, which comes from PLRA’s revenue land record. Plots in planned schemes, such as LDA’s Johar Town, and in private housing societies are transferred through the LDA or the society office, not through the fard.
For these schemes there is a separate change. In June 2026 the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) announced that from July 1, 2026:
- Plots in housing schemes under its control could only be bought and sold through property certificates issued through the PLRA system.
- Schemes had to move their records to PLRA’s Housing Societies Management System.
Officials have not clearly said how this works alongside the six-month suspension. For a house or plot in Johar Town or any other scheme, ask the LDA or the society office which documents they need for a transfer on the date of your deal.
How to get a Green Property Certificate
When the system is active, PLRA officials describe the process like this:
- Visit your nearest Arazi Record Centre (land record centre) and take a token.
- Give the property details and pay the fee.
- Verify your identity with your original CNIC, a NADRA biometric check and your mobile number.
- Staff check the past ownership record and any disputes, taxes or bank loans linked to the property.
- A surveyor visits the site, measures the land with GPS and marks the boundaries.
- Two registered neighboring owners confirm your ownership and possession.
- An officer verifies the case, and a public notice is posted on the PLRA website for 15 days so anyone can object.
- If no one objects, the Assistant Director Land Records approves the case, the property gets “green status” and the certificate is issued.
While the system is suspended, ask your Arazi Record Centre whether it is still accepting applications.
How much does a Green Property Certificate cost?
The fee announced at the July 2026 launch was Rs950. PLRA’s revised fee schedule for 2026-27, reported in July 2026, lists Rs800 for the Green Property Certificate. The fee is paid at a Bank of Punjab counter or through e-Pay Punjab. Fees in Punjab are revised often, so confirm the current amount at the centre or on the PLRA website before you pay.
Does the certificate expire?
No expiry date has been announced. According to PLRA, as reported in June 2026, the information on the certificate stays the same as long as there is no new transaction or change to the record. After a sale or any other change, the record has to be updated.
What should buyers and sellers in Lahore do right now?
Use the checks that protect you whichever document is in use:
- Ask the seller for the current ownership document: the fard for revenue land, or the LDA or society transfer documents for a plot in a scheme. If a Green Property Certificate was already issued, ask for that too.
- Match the owner’s name and CNIC on the document with the seller’s original CNIC.
- Check for unpaid dues, bank loans and court cases on the property.
- Confirm with the Arazi Record Centre, the LDA or the society which documents they need for a transfer on the date of your deal.
- Put any token money agreement in writing and pay through the bank. Our guide on what to check before paying token money covers this step by step.
How Lodhi Real Estate helps
Lodhi Real Estate has helped clients buy, sell and rent property in Lahore since 2019, from our office in Zamzam Mall, Johar Town. Before any token money is paid, our team goes through the ownership record, the documents and any pending dues with you. We also keep track of changes like this one, so you know which documents your deal needs on the day you sign.
If you are buying or selling in Johar Town or anywhere in Lahore, call or WhatsApp us at +92 333 557 4103, or browse our current properties.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Green Property Certificate mandatory in Punjab?
Not as of November 2026. It became compulsory across Punjab on July 1, 2026. PLRA restored the naqal arazi record (fard) as a valid document on July 11, and on August 27 the Punjab government suspended the Green Certificate system for six months. Check the current rule before you sign any deal.
Has the fard been abolished in Punjab?
No. The fard was meant to be replaced on July 1, 2026, but on July 11 PLRA declared the naqal arazi record legally valid again. Fard copies are being issued for computerized mouzas, and buyers and sellers are using it for transactions while the Green Certificate system is suspended.
How much is the Green Property Certificate fee?
The fee announced at launch was Rs950. PLRA’s 2026-27 fee schedule, reported in July 2026, lists Rs800. It is paid at a Bank of Punjab counter or through e-Pay Punjab. Confirm the exact amount at your Arazi Record Centre, because fees are revised often.
Where do I apply for a Green Property Certificate?
You apply at your nearest Arazi Record Centre with your original CNIC. The process includes a NADRA biometric check, a GPS survey of the land, confirmation from two neighbors and a 15-day public notice. While the system is suspended, check with the centre whether it is accepting applications.
Do I need a Green Property Certificate for a plot in Johar Town?
Johar Town is an LDA scheme, so plots there are transferred through the LDA rather than through the fard. In June 2026 the LDA announced that plots in schemes under its control should be traded through property certificates issued through the PLRA system. Ask the LDA, or speak to us, before you pay for a plot in any scheme.
