How to Register Power of Attorney in Pakistan

In Pakistan, a Power of Attorney, commonly known as a Mukhtar nama, is a vital legal document granting authority to individuals to act on behalf of others, particularly in situations where the concerned persons cannot attend legal proceedings or handle matters themselves. This document holds significant importance, facilitating representation in court proceedings and other legal affairs.

Furthermore, a Power of Attorney, also referred to as a letter of attorney, is a legal authorization allowing individuals to make decisions or take actions on behalf of others who are unable to do so themselves.

Individuals can better navigate property-related matters such as buying, selling, or renting properties, as well as tax-related issues via Power of Attorney for property.  Ultimately, a well-drafted and properly executed Power of Attorney ensures smooth legal proceedings and mitigates potential challenges that may arise.

Legal Terminologies

You should get to know about specific Terminologies related to the power of attorney.

Principal/Donor/Grantor

Someone who grants special or general power of attorney to another person to act on his or her behalf.

Agent/Attorney-in-fact

An individual vested with the authority to act on behalf of another person, known as the principal, under a specific power of attorney. This agent or Attorney-in-fact is entrusted with either limited or comprehensive legal authority to make decisions concerning the principal’s assets, finances, and other legal affairs.

Types of Power of Attorney

There are types of power of attorney in Pakistan each used for a specific purpose.

• Special Power of Attorney or Mukhtar Nama Khas
• General Power of Attorney or Mukhtar Nama Aam
• Legal Power of Attorney or Wakalat Nama

Special Power of Attorney

A Special Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows individuals to designate a representative to perform specific tasks on their behalf. The document must clearly outline the actions the representative is authorized to carry out. In Pakistan, it is common for multiple people to assign a single individual as their Special Power of Attorney, particularly when family members residing overseas need someone to manage their affairs.

General Power of Attorney

A General Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone the authority to act on behalf of another person, known as the principal. The appointed representative can handle various tasks, such as filing appeals, hiring lawyers, conducting property transactions, and representing the principal in general matters.

The General Power of Attorney can be either revocable or irrevocable, based on the principal’s choice. The document should specify the terms and conditions of the granted authority.

Legal Power of Attorney

A Legal Power of Attorney is a document you provide to the court or appropriate department to indicate that your lawyer will legally represent you in a specific case and court. It’s essential to understand that you need a separate Legal Power of Attorney for each case and court.

With a Legal Power of Attorney, your lawyer gains the authority to represent you in legal matters, but they can’t stand in for you personally, especially when you need to provide evidence. If you are an Overseas Pakistani, you can also grant a Legal Power of Attorney to a lawyer or law firm in Pakistan, but it must be attested by your local Pakistani Embassy or Consulate.

Power of Attorney Application Submission Guidelines

Here is an easy guide for you to submit your application in for power of attorney.

Step 1: Account Creation

To create account on the POA Portal, an applicant can gain access by providing their email address along with other required information.

Step 2: Applying for POA

After successfully signing up and authenticating account (via OTP), the applicant can proceed to lodge a Power of Attorney (PoA) by submitting the necessary documents.

Step 3: Biometrics

The applicant is required to upload their biometrics onto the provided Fingerprint form.

Step 4: Fee Payment

Applicants will be prompted to pay the necessary fee for their application and will subsequently receive the results of their biometric verification.

Step 5: Video Interview

The Consular will arrange and conduct an online (video) interview with the applicant to assess and make the final decision on the case.

Step 6: Final Consent

A system-generated email will be sent to the applicant’s registered email address to request the Final Consent for the issuance of the Power of Attorney (POA).

Conclusion

In Pakistan, a Power of Attorney, or Mukhtar nama, is essential for giving legal authority. It allows individuals to manage affairs on behalf of others, streamlining processes like property transactions and legal representation. Understanding different types of Power of Attorney is important, and the registration process involves creating an account, submitting documents, biometric verification, fee payment, and a video interview. Overall, a properly executed Power of Attorney ensures clarity and efficiency in legal matters.

Source: Register Power of Attorney in Pakistan