Property fraud is one of the most serious issues facing Pakistani citizens, especially in Punjab. In 2026, the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has made it significantly easier to verify property ownership and land records online, protecting buyers and sellers from fraud. Whether you are buying property, checking inheritance records, or verifying ownership before a transaction, this guide will walk you through exactly how to use the PLRA Arazi Portal to check property records in Punjab.
What is the PLRA Arazi Portal?
The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) manages all computerized land records in Punjab through its digital platform called the Arazi Portal (arazi.punjab.gov.pk). This portal contains digitized records of millions of land parcels across Punjab, including ownership details, mutation history, and land area measurements. It replaced the old paper-based Patwari system for land record verification and allows any citizen to check property records from anywhere in the world.
What Information Can You Find on the PLRA Portal?
The PLRA Arazi portal provides access to the following land record information:
- Fard Malkiat (Ownership Record): Official document confirming who legally owns a piece of land
- Khasra Number: The unique identification number assigned to each piece of agricultural/urban land
- Khewat Number: The owner’s account number in the land revenue record
- Khatooni Number: The register number linking a landowner to their land parcels
- Mutation Details (Intiqal): History of ownership transfers and changes
- Land Area: Total area of the plot in Kanals, Marlas, or square feet
- Land Classification: Whether the land is agricultural, residential, commercial, etc.
How to Check Property Records Online in Punjab 2026 — Step by Step
Method 1: Using the PLRA Arazi Web Portal
Follow these steps to check property records online using the official Punjab land records portal:
- Step 1: Open your browser and go to arazi.punjab.gov.pk
- Step 2: Click on “Fard” or “View Land Record” option on the homepage
- Step 3: Select your Province (Punjab), District, Tehsil, and Village/Mouza from the dropdown menus
- Step 4: Select the type of record you want to search by: Khasra Number, Khewat Number, Khatooni Number, or Owner Name
- Step 5: Enter the relevant number or name in the search box
- Step 6: Click “Search” — the land record details will be displayed on screen
- Step 7: You can view the record online for free, or pay a small fee to download an official Fard (certified copy)
Method 2: Using the Arazi Record Centers (ARC)
If you need a legally certified printed copy of your Fard (official ownership document), you can visit any Arazi Record Center (ARC) in Punjab. There are over 2,000 Arazi Record Centers operating across Punjab at the tehsil level. At the ARC, you can:
- Request a printed Fard with official stamp (fee: PKR 250–500)
- Verify ownership records in person with staff assistance
- Apply for mutation (Intiqal) for property transfer
- Request copies of historical land records
Method 3: Using the Punjab Land Records Mobile App
In 2026, PLRA also offers a mobile application called “Zameen Punjab” available on Android and iOS. The app allows you to search land records, check ownership, and locate your nearest ARC center from your smartphone. Download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store by searching “Zameen Punjab PLRA.”
Key Terms You Need to Know Before Checking Property Records
- Khasra Number: A survey number assigned to individual plots of land. Think of it as the plot’s unique ID. To search records, you need the Khasra number of the property.
- Khewat Number: The account number of the landowner in the village/mouza land register. One Khewat can contain multiple Khasra numbers owned by the same person.
- Khatooni Number: The number that identifies the cultivator or holder of the land (who may be different from the owner in case of tenancy arrangements).
- Mouza: The name of the revenue village where the land is located. Punjab is divided into thousands of Mouzas.
- Fard: The official certified copy of land ownership — the most important document proving who owns a piece of land.
- Intiqal (Mutation): The legal process of transferring ownership from one person to another in the land records — must be done to officially complete any property purchase.
How to Get an Official Fard (Certified Ownership Document) in 2026
A Fard is the most critical document when buying or selling property in Punjab. Here is how to get one:
Online Fard
Visit arazi.punjab.gov.pk, search your property record, and use the online payment option to pay the Fard fee (approximately PKR 250–350 via online banking or mobile wallet). The Fard will be generated digitally and can be downloaded. Note: Online Fard is useful for verification but may not be accepted in all legal proceedings — for court cases or official transfers, get a physically stamped Fard from the ARC.
Fard from Arazi Record Center (ARC)
Visit the nearest ARC with your Khasra or Khewat number. Pay the fee (PKR 250–500). The ARC operator will search the records and print an official Fard with a stamp and serial number. This is the legally recognized version of the document.
How to Use Property Records to Protect Yourself from Fraud
Property fraud is alarmingly common in Pakistan. Here is how to use the PLRA portal to protect yourself:
- Always get a fresh Fard before buying any property — check that the seller’s name matches the Fard
- Check for encumbrances or charges — the Fard will show if the property is mortgaged or has any legal restrictions
- Verify the Khasra number matches the physical land being shown to you — fraud often involves showing one plot while selling another’s documents
- Check mutation history (Intiqal) to verify the chain of ownership and that previous transfers were legal
- Never pay advance money before verifying property records at the PLRA portal
- For societies and housing schemes, separately check with LDA (Lahore Development Authority) or relevant city authority that the society is approved
What to Do if Your Name is Missing or Wrong in Land Records?
If you find your name is missing, incorrectly spelled, or the record does not match reality, follow these steps:
- Visit your nearest Arazi Record Center (ARC) and speak to the District Officer (Revenue)
- Submit a written application with supporting documents (old Fard, sale deed, inheritance documents)
- A verification and correction process will be initiated
- For disputed records, you may need to file a petition with the Revenue Court at the District level
- Contact PLRA helpline: 0800-02345 (toll-free) for complaints and guidance
Frequently Asked Questions — Punjab Property Records 2026
Is the PLRA Arazi portal free to use?
Viewing records online is free. However, downloading or printing an official certified Fard costs a small fee (PKR 250–500). There are no charges for simply searching and viewing records.
Can I check property records for Lahore city plots and houses?
Yes. The PLRA system covers urban as well as rural land in Punjab. However, for plots in housing societies, also verify registration with the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) or the relevant city authority (RDA for Rawalpindi, FDA for Faisalabad, etc.).
What if the property is not found in PLRA records?
If a property does not appear in PLRA records, it could mean: it is located in a housing society that is not yet in the PLRA system, the property is in AJK or tribal areas (which have different systems), or the digitization of that particular Mouza is still in progress. In such cases, verify with the local Patwari office or tehsil revenue office directly.
Can I do property mutation (transfer) online?
In 2026, Punjab has introduced online mutation services through the Arazi portal for certain transaction types. However, most mutations still require an in-person visit to the ARC with original documents. The process includes biometric verification and presence of both buyer and seller at the ARC.
Conclusion
Checking property records online in Punjab has never been easier thanks to the PLRA Arazi portal. Whether you are buying property, verifying inheritance, or protecting yourself from fraud, the arazi.punjab.gov.pk portal gives you instant access to verified land ownership records. Always get a fresh Fard before any property transaction and never skip the verification step. For more guides on property law, government services, legal rights, and citizen services in Pakistan, visit PakCitizenGuide.com — your complete resource for Pakistani citizens.
