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AD Real EstateDHA · ISLAMABAD

Buying guide · 6 min read

Buying DHA Islamabad Property as an Overseas Pakistani

You can buy, transfer and hold a DHA Islamabad plot without flying home. Here is the process for overseas buyers — the power of attorney, the verification, moving the money, and the tax you need to plan for.

Updated 5 September 2026

You do not need to be in Pakistan

Every step of a DHA transfer can be completed for you by an attorney you appoint, with you verifying by video call. The trade-off is paperwork done in the right order: a power of attorney that is properly attested, funds that move through banking channels, and tax handled correctly as a non-resident.

Step 1: Appoint a power of attorney

You choose someone in Pakistan you trust — a family member, or your advisor's nominated representative — to sign and attend the DHA office on your behalf.

  • Draft the power of attorney specifically for this transaction — property purchase and transfer, naming the plot if it is known.
  • Have it attested by the Pakistani embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
  • Then have it attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and, where required, registered locally.
  • A general power of attorney is not always accepted. A special power of attorney that names the transaction is the safer choice.

Step 2: Verification

DHA and the seller's side will confirm you are who you say you are and that you consent to the purchase. Expect a video verification call, copies of your passport and NICOP or POC, and photographs. Keep your NICOP current — an expired card stalls the transfer.

Step 3: Move the money the right way

  • Send funds from your own account abroad to a Pakistani account through normal banking channels — not through informal transfer.
  • Keep every remittance advice and bank record. This proves the source of funds for tax, and it is what allows you to repatriate the proceeds if you sell later.
  • Pay the seller only after DHA has verified the file — never before.

Step 4: The transfer itself

Your attorney attends the DHA office with the original documents, the No Demand Certificate, the attested power of attorney, and ID. DHA cancels the seller's allocation and issues a new transfer letter in your name. Your attorney collects it — arrange to get the original to you or into safe keeping.

Tax you need to plan for

As a non-resident buyer you still pay the standard transaction taxes, and your filer status matters.

  • Federal advance tax on the purchase — the rate is lower for those on the Active Taxpayer List. Overseas Pakistanis may be exempt from the higher non-filer rate on the basis of their NICOP or POC. Confirm your status before the transfer, as it can materially change the amount.
  • Capital Value Tax, and provincial stamp duty and registration where applicable.
  • On a future sale, capital gains tax may apply depending on how long you held the plot.
  • Keep your remittance records — they support both the source of funds and any later repatriation.

What usually goes wrong

  • A power of attorney attested at the embassy but not by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so the DHA office rejects it.
  • A general power of attorney where a special one naming the transaction was needed.
  • Paying the seller before DHA verification.
  • An expired NICOP or POC.
  • Cash or informal money transfer, leaving no record for tax or repatriation.

How we handle overseas buyers

We do this regularly. We tell you exactly which power of attorney wording to use, coordinate the video verification, run the same file checks covered in our guide on buying a plot, and keep you updated at each step. You approve; we execute on the ground.

This guide is general information. Attestation requirements and tax rules change and vary by country and province — confirm the current requirements with the Pakistani mission in your country and a qualified tax advisor before you proceed.

Frequently asked

Can an overseas Pakistani buy DHA Islamabad property without visiting?

Yes. The purchase and transfer are completed by an attorney you appoint through a properly attested power of attorney, with you verifying by video call.

What kind of power of attorney do I need?

A special power of attorney that names the property transaction, attested by the Pakistani embassy or consulate in your country and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. A general power of attorney is often not accepted for property transfers.

How should I send the money for the purchase?

Through formal banking channels from your own account abroad, and keep every remittance record. This establishes the source of funds for tax and is what lets you repatriate the proceeds if you sell later. Avoid informal transfers.

Do overseas Pakistanis pay more tax when buying property?

Not automatically. The main variable is filer status — advance tax is lower for those on the Active Taxpayer List, and overseas Pakistanis may be exempt from the higher non-filer rate on the basis of their NICOP or POC. Confirm your status before the transfer.

Can I sell the plot later and send the money back abroad?

Yes, provided you bought it with funds remitted through banking channels and kept the records. That documentation is what supports repatriation of the sale proceeds.

More guides

This guide is general information. Rules, fees and tax rates vary by phase and change over time — confirm the specifics for your plot with DHA and a qualified advisor before you commit.