Here's a situation we see almost every month. A client in Jeddah or Dubai finds the right buyer for his DHA plot, or the right plot to buy. He has his NICOP, his money is ready, and his brother in Lahore is willing to handle the paperwork. Then everything stops, because nobody can sign on his behalf. A NICOP proves who you are. It doesn't let anyone act for you. For that you need a power of attorney, and until recently that meant taking a day off and going to the embassy or consulate. Not anymore.
What changed: NADRA's online POA
NADRA now runs an online power of attorney service at poa.nadra.gov.pk for Pakistanis living abroad, which reporting described as removing the need to visit Pakistani missions in person. Pakistani missions have said the manual process still runs alongside it, so you have a choice. For most people in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, the online route saves a lot of time.
What you need before you start
- A valid CNIC, NICOP or POC for you (the principal), your attorney, and two witnesses
- A valid email address, plus a phone number and mailing address in the country where you live
- A scanned copy of your POA document, drafted in advance
- Any supporting documents, such as an affidavit, if your case needs one
- A credit or debit card for the online fee
- Fingerprints for you and both witnesses, using the fingerprint form on the portal
Note that foreign nationals can't use the online system. If you hold only a foreign passport and no Pakistani ID, you'll need to go to the mission in person.
The steps, simply
- Create an account on the NADRA POA portal and verify it by OTP.
- Enter your details and your attorney's and witnesses' details, then upload the scanned POA and supporting documents.
- Upload fingerprints through the portal's fingerprint form.
- Pay the fee online by card. The biometric verification result comes back at this stage.
- Attend a short video interview with the consular officer at your selected mission.
- Receive a final consent email, after which the POA is issued.
Fees and processing times can change, so check the current figures on the portal itself before you begin.
The part most people get wrong: the wording
Getting a POA issued is the easy part. Getting one that actually works for a property deal is where people trip up.
Say exactly what the attorney can do. If the POA is meant for selling, it must clearly give the power to sell, and it should name the property: the plot or house number, phase, sector and society. Vague wording like "to deal in all my affairs" invites disputes and can be refused at the transfer desk.
Keep it narrow. A special POA limited to one property and one transaction protects you far better than a general POA covering everything you own. A general POA in the wrong hands can be used to sell property you never intended to sell.
Add limits. You can include an expiry date or conditions, for example that the sale price must be paid into your own bank account.
Register it where needed. For property sales and transfers, the attorney will generally need to register the POA at the Sub Registrar office in the area where the property is located before completing the deal.
Check the society's own rules. Housing authorities, including DHA, can have their own requirements for POAs used in transfers. Before drafting, ask the transfer branch what format and details they expect, so you don't have to do it twice.
Choosing your attorney
The online process makes it easy to give someone power over your property. That's exactly why the choice of person matters. Pick someone you trust completely, keep the POA specific, and stay involved: ask for copies of every document signed in your name and confirm the payment yourself. When the job is done, get legal advice on cancelling the POA so it can't be reused.
If you're buying or selling from the Kingdom, our guide on how overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia can buy in DHA Lahore covers the full process, and our step by step guide for overseas Pakistanis walks through every stage. For moving the money itself, read how to send money safely from Saudi or UAE.
The bottom line
You no longer need to fly home or queue at the consulate to let someone act for you in Pakistan. But a POA is a powerful document, and a badly worded one is worse than none. Get the wording right, keep it specific, and choose your attorney carefully. If you're about to buy or sell in DHA Lahore from Saudi Arabia or the UAE, our team can help you plan the paperwork before you lodge anything. This is general information, not legal advice, so have a lawyer review your draft.
