ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, Pakistan has launched digital land record and passport processing services for its diaspora in the United Kingdom, aimed at addressing longstanding issues faced by Pakistanis in managing land transactions and passport applications. The announcement came during a visit to the UK by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who inaugurated these services at the Pakistan High Commission in London.
The UK hosts over 1.6 million Pakistanis, many of whom have faced challenges with land-related issues such as buying, selling, and settling disputes regarding properties in Pakistan. The newly introduced Land Record Service allows British Pakistanis to access and manage their property records remotely in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. The platform offers services like online sale deeds, ‘Fard’ (Record of Rights), ‘e-Girdawari,’ mutation entries, and document attestation, all secured by blockchain technology to enhance transparency and prevent fraud. A Land Services Desk at the Pakistan High Commission in London will support the initial phase, with plans to extend the service to other consulates in the UK.
Alongside the land record service, a One Window Passport Processing System has also been introduced. This new system streamlines the passport application process by consolidating multiple steps into a single counter, reducing processing time to approximately 10 minutes per application, and ensuring greater convenience and transparency for applicants.
Ishaq Dar described these initiatives as “a digital leap toward safeguarding diaspora rights and fostering investment,” marking an important step toward making governance more efficient and accessible for Pakistanis living abroad. The launch is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and the UK, further enhancing cooperation in areas such as digital technology, business, and education.
