Sale and purchase of property: Punjab introduces OTP verification mechanism

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has introduced the OTP (One-Time Password) verification mechanism to enhance the security and authenticity of generating stamp duty challans on buying and selling of immovable properties in Punjab.

The PLRA has clarified the issue on the queries raised by real estate expert Muhammad Ahsan Malik. The practical problems being faced by the stakeholders has been explained by the senior real estate expert.

PLRA has responded that the issues raised by the stakeholder have been resolved.

The stakeholders have raised the question whether this PLRA mechanism has been made part of Punjab e-stamp Rules, 2016 through an amendment. If not, it is totally illegal in the eyes of law, they added.

According to the letter of the PLRA to Malik, Chief Inspector Stamps, BOR (STAMP) and Punjab government, the OTP((One-Time Password) verification mechanism has been introduced to enhance the security and authenticity of stamp duty challan generation, ensuring that each transaction is verified through the registered mobile number of the concerned party

For overseas citizens, “Email OTP verification Process” is available on e-stamping and for organisation NTN verification with OTP verification on representative contact number is mandatory, PLRA added.

Earlier, Muhammad Ahsan Malik has informed that the Department has made some new changes for the issuance of stamp duty challans while introducing new mechanism they over looked the following categories.-

(i); Overseas Pakistanis; (ii); Developers and Builders (as sellers); (iii); Who don’t have the mobile sim/ connections on their name and a large number of rural population (who don’t use mobile).

Real estate expert highlighted that the creation of stamp duty challans has nearly come to a halt as public is facing serious problems in the emerging situation. The current mechanism requires an OTP (One time password) to be sent to the mobile numbers as the OTP is only sent the registered mobile numbers on individual’s name.

Furthermore, it is suggested that the PLRA must allow to FBR’s registered Real Estate Agents to generate the challans on behalf of any category for smooth functioning, he maintained.

PLRA’s urgent intervention is needed to resolve this issue and enable the smooth creation and export of stamp duty challans, Ahsan Malik added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025