For an overseas Pakistani, a power of attorney (POA) is often unavoidable: you cannot fly home for every transaction, so someone must be authorised to act for you. But the same document that makes life manageable is also, when drafted carelessly, one of the most common instruments of property fraud in Pakistan.
The risks of a badly-made POA
- Overbroad powers: a general POA covering 'all my affairs' can be used to sell property you never intended to sell
- No expiry or purpose limit: a POA granted for one task years ago can resurface in a transaction today
- Wrong attestation: a POA made abroad that skips the proper attestation and legalisation steps may be challenged - or worse, a fraudulent one may pass unchallenged
- Misplaced trust: the majority of POA misuse involves someone the owner knew and trusted
How to grant a POA safely from abroad
A POA made outside Pakistan generally needs to be properly executed in your country of residence and then attested for use in Pakistan - typically involving notarisation and attestation through the relevant Pakistani mission, followed by any required steps in Pakistan. The exact sequence depends on where you live, which is why the preparation should be coordinated through qualified professionals rather than improvised.
Safety rules that prevent misuse
- Make it specific: name the exact property and the exact acts authorised - nothing more
- Make it time-bound where possible: tie the authority to the transaction it exists for
- Choose the attorney carefully: someone accountable, not merely convenient
- Keep the original secure and control copies: a POA should never circulate loosely
- Revoke when done: when the purpose is complete, coordinate a formal revocation so the document cannot be reused
Verifying a POA on the other side
If you are buying property being sold under a power of attorney, treat the POA itself as a document to verify: is it genuine, properly attested, still in force, and does it actually authorise this sale? Transactions through POAs deserve heightened - not reduced - due diligence, and this check belongs in any professional verification.
If you suspect a POA is being misused
Act quickly: the position should be documented, the relevant records checked for any transfers, and revocation and further steps coordinated with qualified legal professionals. Speed matters - the gap between misuse and discovery is where the damage compounds.
Handled properly - specific, attested, controlled, and revoked on completion - a power of attorney is a safe and practical tool that lets you manage property in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or anywhere in Pakistan from wherever you live. Handled casually, it is a signed blank cheque. The difference is entirely in the preparation.