Most rejected powers of attorney fail for the same reason: they say the attorney may do everything necessary, without saying what specifically. Pakistani offices want to see the particular act authorised. This guide sets out the structure and gives indicative wording, though a document that will move property or run litigation should still be settled by a lawyer.
The structure of the document
| Part | Purpose | Commonly omitted? |
|---|---|---|
| Title and date | Identifies it as general or special | Date sometimes left blank - never do this |
| Principal's particulars | Who is granting authority | CNIC number omitted |
| Attorney's particulars | Who receives it | Address omitted |
| Recital of purpose | Why it is being granted | Frequently omitted, and useful for interpretation |
| Enumerated powers | Exactly what may be done | Replaced with vague catch-all wording |
| Limitations | What may not be done | Almost always omitted |
| Duration | When it expires | Almost always omitted |
| Revocation | How it ends | Often omitted |
| Execution | Signatures, witnesses, photographs | Witness particulars incomplete |
The two rows that matter most are limitations and duration, and they are the two almost nobody includes. A power with no expiry and no exclusions is an open-ended authority over your affairs, and it is precisely what turns up years later in a dispute.
Particulars of the parties
Indicative wording:
"I, [full name as on CNIC], son/daughter/wife of [name], holder of CNIC/NICOP No. [number], resident of [full address], hereinafter the Principal, do hereby appoint [full name as on CNIC], son/daughter of [name], holder of CNIC No. [number], resident of [full address], hereinafter the Attorney, to act for me as set out below."
Points that cause rejections:
- Names must match the identity document exactly, including order and spelling.
- Include CNIC or NICOP numbers for both parties.
- Give full addresses, not just a city.
- Use the relationship descriptor as it appears on the CNIC.
Enumerating the powers
This is the operative part. List each act specifically. For a property sale, for example:
- To negotiate and agree the sale of the property described in the Schedule, at a price not less than PKR [amount].
- To execute and present for registration the agreement to sell and the sale deed in respect of that property.
- To appear before the Sub-Registrar and any revenue authority and to do all acts necessary for mutation.
- To receive the sale consideration solely by bank transfer into account number [account] maintained in the name of the Principal.
- To sign, verify and deliver all documents necessary for the above.
Include a Schedule describing the property precisely - plot number, khasra or khewat, area, scheme, city and boundaries where available.
Avoid "and to do all other acts as the Attorney may deem fit". That single phrase converts a carefully drawn special power into something close to a general one, and it is the clause most often relied on when authority is exceeded.
Limitations and duration
Indicative wording:
"The Attorney shall NOT have authority to: (a) gift, mortgage, charge or otherwise encumber the said property; (b) sell at a price below PKR [amount] without my prior written consent; (c) receive any part of the consideration in cash; (d) delegate or substitute any other person in his place; (e) act in respect of any property other than that described in the Schedule.
This Power of Attorney shall remain in force until [date] and shall stand automatically revoked thereafter, or earlier upon written revocation by me."
Four limitations worth including in almost every case:
- No gift or mortgage - a power to sell is not a power to give away.
- No cash - proceeds by bank transfer to the principal's own account.
- No delegation - your attorney cannot appoint someone you have never met.
- An expiry date - authority should not outlive its purpose.
Execution, witnesses and stamp
- Stamp paper of the applicable value; the requirement varies provincially.
- Signature of the principal on every page, not only at the end.
- Two witnesses with full names, CNIC numbers, addresses and signatures.
- Photographs of principal and attorney affixed, which is standard practice.
- Thumb impressions where required.
- Date and place of execution stated.
If executed abroad, the signature must be made before the consular officer rather than in advance - see embassy attestation. If it concerns immovable property, register it - see registration in Pakistan.
Adapting it to other purposes
| Purpose | Powers to enumerate |
|---|---|
| Court case | To file, defend, appear, give statements, engage counsel, receive notices; state expressly whether the attorney may compromise |
| Property management | To let, collect rent, pay taxes and utilities, maintain; exclude sale |
| Succession and mutation | To apply for succession, appear before revenue authorities, complete mutation |
| Banking | Check with the bank first, as most require their own mandate form |
| Company matters | A board resolution may be required instead of a personal power |
For litigation, be explicit about settlement authority. A power that lets your attorney compromise a claim without limit means someone else can settle your case on terms you would never accept - see acting in family cases from abroad.
Treat the wording here as indicative. Stamp duty, registration requirements and what a particular office will accept vary, so have the final document settled by whoever will present it in Pakistan.
Wording mistakes that cause rejection
- "All my properties" instead of a described property. Sub-registrars want the specific property identified in a schedule.
- Name variants. "Mohammad" on the CNIC and "Muhammad" in the document is enough to cause a query.
- Missing CNIC numbers for principal, attorney or witnesses.
- Undated execution. A power with no date cannot be assessed for validity or expiry.
- Unsigned pages. Sign every page, not just the last.
- Photographs not affixed or not attested.
- Powers that contradict each other - authorising a sale in one clause and prohibiting disposal in another.
- Referring to a schedule that is not attached.
Read the finished document once, slowly, before signing. Most of these are visible on a careful read and each one means repeating the attestation chain.
Frequently asked questions
What should a Pakistani power of attorney contain?
A title and date, full particulars of principal and attorney with CNIC or NICOP numbers, a recital of purpose, an enumerated list of specific powers, express limitations, duration, a revocation clause, and execution with witnesses and photographs.
Why do sub-registrars reject powers of attorney?
Most commonly because the authority is vague rather than enumerated, names do not match the identity documents, CNIC numbers or addresses are missing, or the document was drafted abroad without the specific wording the receiving office requires.
Should I include a catch-all clause?
No. Wording such as 'and to do all other acts as the Attorney may deem fit' converts a carefully drawn special power into something close to a general one, and it is the clause most often relied on when authority is exceeded.
What limitations should I include?
At minimum: no gift or mortgage, no receipt of consideration in cash, no delegation to another person, and an expiry date. These four prevent most misuse and cost nothing to add.
Does a power of attorney need witnesses?
Yes. Two witnesses with full names, CNIC numbers, addresses and signatures, with photographs of principal and attorney affixed, is standard practice.
Can I use a template I found online?
As a starting point only. Requirements vary by province and by receiving office, and a document that will move property or run litigation should be settled by whoever will present it in Pakistan.
Can one power of attorney cover several purposes?
It can, but breadth increases risk. Separate special powers for separate purposes are safer than one broad document covering property, banking and litigation together.
Sources & official references
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - attestation of documents for use in and from Pakistan
- Punjab Land Records Authority - record of rights, mutation and online property verification
- Code of Civil Procedure 1908 - civil procedure and representation