MANCHESTER: British-Pakistani businessman and IMARAT Group Chairman Shafiq Akbar has announced plans to launch an online property verification service in Pakistan next month, aiming to help overseas Pakistanis check ownership and legal records before investing in real estate.
Speaking at an investment event in Manchester, Akbar said the proposed platform would allow Pakistanis living abroad to verify the status of properties remotely and identify potential ownership, legal or documentation issues before completing a purchase.
He said fear of fraud remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing overseas Pakistanis from investing in the country’s property market.
Many Pakistanis living abroad want to buy homes, establish a base in Pakistan or build long-term wealth through real estate, Akbar said. However, concerns over disputed ownership, unclear documentation and unfulfilled commitments often discourage them from investing.
According to Akbar, the service would enable a buyer in the United Kingdom or another country to check whether a property in Islamabad has any legal or ownership-related complications.
He said greater access to verified property information could improve transparency, reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions and help overseas investors make more informed decisions.
Akbar also called for closer cooperation between the federal government and the private sector to protect overseas Pakistanis’ investments.
He said investors needed assurance that developers and sellers would honour their commitments, whether those involved the transfer of property ownership or expected financial returns.
Highlighting Pakistan’s real estate potential, Akbar said developing economies generally offered stronger growth opportunities than mature markets.
He cited Islamabad’s expansion over the past decade, including new roads, underpasses, motorways, airport development and other infrastructure projects, as evidence of the capital’s long-term investment potential.
Pakistan’s growing population and continuing infrastructure development could support further demand in the property sector, he added.
Akbar urged the government to strengthen legal safeguards and investor-protection mechanisms, arguing that greater confidence in the security of investments could encourage more overseas Pakistanis to invest in the country.
The proposed online property verification platform has not yet been launched. Details regarding its coverage, regulatory oversight, access to official land records and verification process have also not been disclosed.
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