The real estate market in Pakistan can be daunting, especially for those new to the industry or unfamiliar with the jargon used. Understanding common property terms is crucial for navigating the market effectively and making informed decisions regarding properties. 

In this article, we will explain the most common Pakistan Real Estate Glossary terms in the Pakistani real estate industry, highlighting the importance of knowing these terms and the benefits they bring.

Importance of Knowing Real Estate Terms

Knowing the common property terms empowers individuals in the real estate market. It allows them to understand the intricacies of property transactions, make informed decisions, negotiate effectively, and protect themselves from potential risks and disputes. 

Familiarity with these terms promotes confidence, clarity, and a smoother experience throughout the buying, selling, or investing.

Common Pakistan Real Estate Glossary Terms

We have enlisted the most common and important real estate terms you must know to get enlightened on the real estate market in Pakistan in alphabetical order.

Common Real Estate Terms and Their Description 

Common Real Estate Terms	Explanation
Abwab (ابواب)	Cess
Acre (ایکڑ)	An area of 43,560 sq. ft. or 8 Kanal.
Aks Shajra (عکس شجرہ)	A map of land ownership, including information about possession.
Asami (اسامی)	Tenant
Bigha	A 4-kanal piece of land, equal to half of an acre.
Bisa	One-twentieth of a bigha.
Bacch	Distribution of revenue over holdings.
Badastur (بدستور)	Ledger
Biswi	A fee paid in recognition of property right.
Bandobast (بندوبست)	The process of assessing land revenue, including data collection and determining the state’s share of produce.
Butemar	A tenant who has acquired permanent rights in the land by clearing it of jangal.
Bisa	Refers to one-twentieth of a bigha.
Banjar (بنجر)	Uncultivated land.
Chak (چک)	Assessment Circle
Doab	A country lying between two rivers
Fard (فرد)	Document showing the ownership of a piece of land.
Gardavri (گرداوری)	Certificate for leasing rights issued by a Gardori with the landowner’s permission.
Gardori	A person who examines land records.
Haq-e-Shufa (حق شفع)	A right of first refusal in Muslim law allows a neighbor to buy adjacent property before a stranger can.
Inteqaal	The process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another.
Jamabandi (جمع بندی)	A process of updating land records.
Kanal (کنال)	Equivalent to 20 Marlas.
Marla (مرلا)	A unit of land measurement ranging from 225 to 272 sq. ft.
Moza	An area of land used by a revenue collector’s office.
Partal (پڑتال)	A process of verifying and updating property records during a transfer of ownership.
Patwari (پٹواری)	An official in the revenue department who keeps area records.
Qilabandi (قلعہ بندی)	A technique involving replacing irregular fields with uniform, rectangular plots for improved water distribution.
Registry (رجسٹری)	Document proving property ownership issued by the revenue department.
Sale Deed	A legal document that transfers ownership of a property from a seller to a buyer.
Shajra (شجره)	Comprehensive map of the property issued by Patwari.
Sarsahi (سرساہی)	The smallest unit of land is equivalent to 25 sq. ft.
Theka	A lease agreement in which the tenant pays rent in exchange for using a property owned by the landlord.
Tehsil (تحصیل)	A sub-division of a district, charge of Tehsildar.
Tehsildar (تحصیل دار)	An official in chief executive charge of a Tehsil.
Waris (وارث)	Landholder
Warisi (وارثی)	Right of the waris.
Wirsana (ورثانہ)	A fee paid in recognition of the proprietary title.

Here’s a detailed description of the common Pakistan real estate glossary for better understanding.

Abwab (ابواب)

Abwab or ابواب means cess, which is a form of tax or levy imposed by the government to fund specific purposes or projects. Cesses are usually imposed as an additional tax over and above the regular income tax or other taxes.

The revenue generated from these cesses is allocated to particular activities, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, or other welfare schemes. .

Acre (ایکڑ)

An acre is a unit of land measurement equivalent to 43,560 square feet or 8 Kanal. It is commonly used to describe the size of large plots of land.

Note: Kanal or کنال is a unit of land measurement and is equivalent to 20 marlas. It is commonly used in Pakistan to measure land area. In imperial calculations, one kanal equals 5400 square feet, while in urban calculations, it is typically considered as 4500 square feet.

Marla or مرلا is a unit of land measurement that varies in size, ranging from 225 to 272 square feet. The size of a marla can vary based on the specific region or context. It is commonly used in Pakistan to measure smaller land areas, such as residential plots. 1 marla is equal to 9 sarsahi.

Sarsahi or سرساہی is the smallest land measurement unit, equivalent to 25 square feet. It is used to denote a very small area of land.

Asami (اسامی)

Asami refers to a tenant, particularly in older settlement literature. In some contexts, the term may be specifically used to refer to a resident tenant.

Aks Shajra (عکس شجرہ)

Aks Shajra is a map of land ownership drafted by Patwari, the lowest-level official in the revenue department. This map includes information about farmland and possession, providing a comprehensive overview of the property’s boundaries and ownership.

Note: Patwari is the lowest-level official in the revenue department who keeps area records. They are responsible for maintaining land records, updating ownership information, and providing information related to land measurements, boundaries, and ownership rights.

Bigha (بیگہ)

A bigha or بیگہ is a unit of land measurement equivalent to 4 kanals or half an acre. It is commonly used in Pakistan to measure large agricultural or rural land areas.

Bisa (بیسہ)

Bisa or بیسہ is a term that refers to one-twentieth of a bigha. It is a smaller unit of land measurement used in some contexts, particularly in rural areas.

Bacch

Bacch refers to the distribution of revenue over land holdings. It involves allocating the revenue from a specific land area to the respective landholders.

Badastur (بدستور)

Badastur is a holdings register showing the land held by owners and tenants. It provides information about the rent, land revenue, and cesses payable.

Bandobast (بندوبست)

Bandobast is a Persian term meaning “settlement.” In the context of real estate, it refers to the meticulous process of specifying and assessing land revenue, which includes data collection and determining the state’s share of produce.

Biswa

Biswa is a unit of land measurement equivalent to 1350 square feet. It is commonly used in certain regions of Pakistan to describe land areas.

Butemar (بٹیمار)

Butemar or بٹیمار refers to a tenant who has acquired permanent rights in the land by clearing it of jangal (uncultivated land). They have established their claim to the ground through cultivation and are recognized as having ownership rights.

Biswi

Biswi is a fee paid in recognition of property rights. It is a payment made to acknowledge and establish ownership or property rights. 

Banjar (بنجر)

Banjar refers to uncultivated land. It represents land that has not been cultivated or utilized for agricultural purposes.

Chak (چک)

Chak is an assessment circle or a block of land. It is a specific area that is demarcated for administrative or revenue purposes.

Doab (دوآب)

Doab or دوآب refers to a country or region that lies between two rivers. It typically denotes the area between two major rivers and is often associated with fertile land.

Fard (فرد)

Fard is a document that shows the ownership of a piece of land. It is an official record that provides evidence of ownership and is derived from the Patwari record, which is a record of the revenue paid by the landowner.

Here are the different types of fard categorized by their purpose:

• Fard for Record Purpose: This type of fard is obtained to confirm and update the owner’s land ownership status. It serves as an official record of ownership.
• Fard e Bay: This type of fard is obtained when the owner intends to sell their property through the registry. It is required to complete the legal transfer of ownership during the sale process.
• Fard for Bail: This type of fard is obtained to be presented in court for bail purposes. It serves as proof of ownership and may be required when seeking bail using the property as collateral.
• Fard for Gift: This type of fard is obtained when the owner intends to gift their property to someone through the registry. It is necessary to transfer ownership as a gift legally.
• Fard for Mortgage: This type of fard is obtained when the owner mortgages their property to another individual or organization. It is necessary for the legal documentation of the mortgage agreement. 

These different types of fard serve specific purposes in the context of land ownership and transactions, ensuring that the legal requirements are fulfilled, and the rights of the parties involved are protected.

Gardavri (گرداوری)

Gardavri refers to a certificate for leasing rights that is issued by a Gardori. This certificate grants permission for leasing rights on a property and is issued with the landowner’s consent.

Note: Gardori is a person who examines land records. They are responsible for verifying and maintaining records related to land ownership, boundaries, and transactions.

Haq-e-Shufa (حق شفع)

Haq-e-Shufa is a right of first refusal in Muslim law. It allows a neighbor to purchase adjacent property before it is sold to a stranger. This right aims to prioritize the interests of the community and ensure that the land is utilized in a manner that benefits the neighborhood.

Inteqaal 

Inteqaal is the process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It involves updating the land records to reflect the change in ownership. This process is documented in a “mutation” and is essential for legalizing the transfer of registered land.

Jamabandi (جمع بندی)

It is a process of updating land records. It involves periodic updates and revisions to the land records, typically carried out every 4 years. These updates ensure that the land records accurately reflect the current status of ownership and other relevant information.

Here are the explanations of the major columns in the Jamabandi form:

• Khewat Number: This column represents a unique account number assigned to a group of landowners. It helps in identifying and categorizing the ownership of land parcels within a specific area.
• Khatauni Number: This column contains a unique account number for cultivators associated with a land plot with multiple Khasra numbers. It includes information about the tenant and their relevant details, such as their name and other identifying information.
• Khasra Number: This column indicates the unique plot number or survey number assigned to a specific piece of land. It serves as a reference to identify and locate the land accurately.
• Owner Details: This column captures the details of the landowner, including their name, father’s name, and grandfather’s name. These details help in verifying the identity of the landowner.
• Cultivator Details: This column specifies whether the person in possession of the land and cultivating it is the same as the owner or not. It helps distinguish between the owner and the cultivator if they are different individuals.
• Lagan Details: This column records the agreement between the landowner and the cultivator regarding the sharing of produce or any other mutually agreed-upon arrangement. It outlines the terms and conditions of the agreement between the parties involved.
• Remarks Column: This column allows entries for various transactions and updates that occur during the Jamabandi process. It serves as a record of important information related to the land, such as changes in ownership, cultivation status, or any other significant updates.

Ensuring accurate entries in the Jamabandi form is crucial to prevent issues such as double sales, double mortgages, and other fraudulent activities. Accurate and up-to-date information helps maintain the integrity of land records and ensures transparency in land transactions.

Moza

Moza refers to an area of land used by a revenue collector’s office. It is often associated with the administrative division of land and used for revenue collection.

Partal (پڑتال)

Partal is a process of verifying and updating property records during a transfer of ownership. It is carried out by a Patwari, who examines the land records and ensures that they accurately reflect the current ownership and other relevant details. 

Qilabandi (قلعہ بندی)

Qilabandi is a technique that involves replacing irregular fields with uniform, rectangular plots. This technique aims to improve water distribution and enhance cost efficiency in agricultural land. It helps optimize land utilization and facilitates better management of resources.

Registry (رجسٹری)

Registry refers to a document that proves property ownership. The revenue department issues it and serves as evidence of ownership. The registry document contains important information about the property, including its description, ownership details, and other relevant information.

Sale Deed

A sale deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of a property from a seller to a buyer. It is a crucial document in real estate transactions and includes details such as the property description, price, payment terms, and ownership information. The sale deed serves as evidence of the transfer of ownership.

Shajra (شجره)

Shajra refers to a comprehensive map of the property issued by a Patwari. It includes detailed information such as measurements, location, boundaries, and surrounding areas. The Shajra map provides a visual representation of the property, aiding in understanding its layout and ownership.

Theka 

Theka refers to a lease agreement in which a tenant pays rent in exchange for using a property owned by the landlord. In the context of agriculture, the tenant utilizes the leased land for farming and producing crops. The lease agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy.

Tehsil (تحصیل)

Tehsil refers to a sub-division of a district. It is an administrative unit headed by a Tehsildar who is responsible for various administrative and revenue-related functions.

Note: A Tehsildar or تحصیل دار is an official who holds a significant administrative position within a tehsil, which is a subdivision of a district in Pakistan. The Tehsildar serves as the head of the tehsil and is responsible for overseeing various administrative, revenue, and land-related matters.

Wirsana (ورثانہ)

Wirsana or ورثانہ refers to inheritance. It is the property or assets that are passed on to heirs or beneficiaries after the death of the owner.

Inheritance laws and regulations determine how the assets of a deceased person are distributed among their legal heirs according to the applicable legal system and religious beliefs in different regions or countries. The distribution of wirsana is an essential aspect of estate planning and succession.

Conclusion

Having a grasp of the common property terms used in the Pakistan real estate market is crucial for anyone involved in property transactions. 

Understanding property titles, land measurement units, property types, documentation, valuation, financing, real estate agents, property taxes, and legal obligations provides individuals with the knowledge necessary to navigate the market confidently and make well-informed decisions. 

By knowing these terms, individuals can streamline their real estate journey and maximize the benefits of their investments.

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