Legal Help · Published June 15, 2026
Power of Attorney in Pakistan
One document, broad or narrow scope — here's how to get the balance right, and how to draft one without starting from scratch.
Quick answer
A power of attorney under the Powers of Attorney Act 1882 can be General (broad authority) or Special (limited to one act) — narrower is generally safer. Property-related POAs must be registered under the Registration Act 1908. Wakeel can generate a first draft scoped to exactly what you need authorized.
The framework, layer by layer
Governed by the Powers of Attorney Act 1882
A power of attorney authorizes someone (the attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf — signing documents, managing property, operating accounts, or handling specific transactions — within the scope you define.
General vs Special — scope is everything
A General Power of Attorney (GPA) gives broad authority across many matters; a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) is limited to one specific act or transaction. The narrower the scope, the less room there is for misuse.
Property-related POAs must be registered
Under Section 17 of the Registration Act 1908, a power of attorney authorizing the sale, purchase, or transfer of immovable property must be registered to be legally recognized for that purpose.
It can be revoked — but revocation should be made public
The principal can revoke a POA at any time through a registered deed of revocation, plus written notice to the attorney-in-fact and any relevant institutions (banks, land offices) — an unpublicized revocation offers little real protection.
Generate your power of attorney draft with Wakeel
Describe exactly what you want your attorney-in-fact authorized to do — sell a specific property, manage a bank account, handle a single transaction — and Wakeel can generate a first draft scoped narrowly to that purpose. Have a licensed advocate review it before signing, and register it if it involves immovable property.
Why "as narrow as possible" is the safest default
Legal guidance on POA fraud risk, including from The Lawyers, consistently recommends Special Power of Attorney over General wherever possible — limiting the scope to exactly the minimum authority needed. A power of attorney is often the only practical way an overseas Pakistani can handle a transaction back home, but that convenience is exactly what makes a broadly worded GPA a common target for misuse. A narrowly scoped, clearly time-limited SPA closes most of that gap.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Generating a first draft of a power of attorney scoped to exactly what you describe.
What it cannot do
It cannot register the document or verify a third party's existing POA — a licensed advocate or the Sub-Registrar's office should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
What law governs power of attorney in Pakistan?
The Powers of Attorney Act 1882 provides the general legal framework, while Section 17 of the Registration Act 1908 requires registration for any power of attorney authorizing the sale, purchase, or transfer of immovable property.
What's the difference between General and Special Power of Attorney?
A General Power of Attorney grants broad authority over a wide range of matters. A Special Power of Attorney is limited to one specific act or transaction — generally the safer choice since it limits how much the attorney-in-fact can actually do.
How do I revoke a power of attorney in Pakistan?
Execute a registered deed of revocation at the Sub-Registrar (for property-related POAs), and separately give written notice of the revocation to the attorney-in-fact and any institutions relying on the original document, like banks or land offices.
Can Wakeel.org generate a power of attorney for me?
Yes — describe what you want the attorney-in-fact to be authorized to do, and Wakeel can generate a first draft, scoped as narrowly or broadly as you specify. Have a licensed advocate review it before signing, and register it where the transaction involves immovable property.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Need a power of attorney drafted?
Describe what you need authorized, and let Wakeel put together a first draft — then get a lawyer to finalize it.