Thousands of overseas Pakistanis invest in Karachi property every year. It's entirely doable from abroad — the key is handling the paperwork correctly and, above all, verifying before you pay.
By Modood Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Zell·Updated 11 July 2026
Thousands of overseas Pakistanis invest in Karachi property every year. It's entirely doable from abroad — the key is handling the paperwork correctly and, above all, verifying before you pay. Here's the safe way to do it.
It's entirely doable from abroad — most overseas buyers appoint a trusted attorney through an embassy or consulate-attested Power of Attorney to sign and complete the transfer, and send funds through a Roshan Digital Account or another State Bank non-resident account (which, via accounts such as an FCVA or NRVA, may qualify for reduced or zero advance tax, subject to conditions). The single most important step is independently verifying ownership, documents and the physical site before you pay, since fraud disproportionately targets overseas buyers.
1. Appoint a Power of Attorney
To sign and complete a transfer without flying back, you appoint a trusted person as your attorney through a Power of Attorney (PoA). For overseas execution it must be attested by the Pakistan Embassy/Consulate and then processed in Pakistan. Keep the PoA specific and time-bound, and choose your attorney with great care.
2. Set up the right bank account
Send funds through a Roshan Digital Account or another State Bank non-resident account. Beyond convenience, transacting through certain non-resident accounts (such as an FCVA or NRVA) may qualify you for reduced or zero advance tax on the purchase — subject to conditions, so confirm with your bank and a tax adviser. See our taxes & fees guide.
3. Verify remotely — never skip this
You can't inspect in person, so rely on independent verification of ownership, documents and the physical site. This is the single biggest protection against fraud, which disproportionately targets overseas buyers. Every Zell listing is physically verified before it's published, and our consultants can check a specific property on your behalf. Read the full verification checklist.
4. Complete the transfer
Your attorney completes the transfer at the society or sub-registrar, pays the applicable taxes and collects the new title in your name. For society specifics, see the DHA and Bahria transfer guides.
5. Keep records for repatriation
If you may sell and repatriate proceeds later, buying through a non-resident/Roshan account and keeping proof of the inward remittance makes it far smoother. Retain every document, receipt and the registered title.
Built for overseas buyers: physical verification, honest data-backed pricing and a certified consultant who represents your interest — so you can invest in Karachi with confidence from anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Can overseas Pakistanis buy property in Karachi without visiting?
Yes. Most overseas buyers appoint a trusted attorney through an embassy-attested Power of Attorney to sign and complete the transfer on their behalf, while relying on a verified platform or agent for inspection and due diligence. Funds are typically sent through a Roshan Digital / non-resident account.
Do overseas Pakistanis get a tax benefit on property?
Buyers and sellers transacting through certain State Bank non-resident accounts (such as an FCVA or NRVA linked to a Roshan Digital Account) may qualify for reduced or 0% advance tax under 236K/236C, subject to conditions. Confirm current eligibility with your bank and a tax consultant.
Why are overseas buyers targeted by property fraud?
Because they can't easily inspect or verify in person. The safest approach is to never pay before independent verification of ownership, documents and site — which is exactly what a verified platform like Zell provides.
Ready to make a move?
Talk to a verified Zell advisor about buying, selling or investing in Karachi.
