Living overseas doesn't stop you selling your Karachi property. With a properly attested Power of Attorney, a trusted attorney can handle the sale end to end. Here's how to do it safely.
By Modood Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Zell·Updated 30 July 2026
Quick answer
Overseas Pakistanis can sell property in Karachi without flying back by appointing a trusted attorney through a Power of Attorney (POA), properly attested at the Pakistani embassy/consulate and by the Foreign Office. The attorney handles verification, listing, negotiation and transfer on your behalf. Non-resident sellers still pay 236-C and 7E, with filers paying less.
You do not need to fly back to Pakistan to sell your property. Overseas Pakistanis sell remotely all the time — the key is a properly drafted and attested Power of Attorney, and an attorney you genuinely trust. Here's how the process works and how to protect yourself.
Appoint a trusted attorney through a Power of Attorney (POA), get it attested at the Pakistani embassy/consulate in your country and by the Foreign Office (MOFA) in Pakistan, and the attorney can verify, list, negotiate and transfer on your behalf. You still pay the usual seller taxes (236-C, 7E); being a filer reduces them.
1. Appoint a trusted attorney
A Power of Attorney authorises someone in Pakistan to act for you on the sale — signing documents, completing the transfer and receiving payment as instructed. Choose carefully: this should be a close, trustworthy family member or a professional you have vetted. Keep the POA specific to this property and transaction rather than open-ended.
2. Get the POA attested correctly
A POA executed abroad must be attested to be valid in Pakistan: signed before, and attested by, the Pakistani embassy or consulate in your country of residence, then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Pakistan, and finally acknowledged as required by the society or sub-registrar. Attach your CNIC/NICOP and photographs as required. Getting the attestation chain right is what prevents delays later.
3. The remote sale process
With the POA in place, the on-ground process is the same as any sale: verify the property and clear dues, price it against real market data, market it to genuine buyers, negotiate, and complete the transfer at the society, DHA T&R office or sub-registrar. Your attorney signs and acts; you stay informed and approve key decisions remotely.
4. Taxes for non-resident sellers
Non-residents still pay FBR advance tax under section 236-C and the 7E certificate on a sale. Your filer status matters: being on the Active Taxpayers List materially reduces the advance-tax rate, so many overseas Pakistanis maintain an NTN and file. Sale proceeds can be routed through a Roshan Digital Account. Use the cost tool for an exact figure, and confirm your position with a tax adviser.
5. Protect yourself
Only grant a POA to someone you fully trust, and keep its scope limited to this sale. Insist on written updates, verify the buyer independently, and have the sale proceeds paid to your account or Roshan Digital Account — not held indefinitely by a third party. A named, accountable advisor on the ground removes most of the risk of selling from a distance.
The Zell way: a salaried Zell advisor handles the on-ground steps — verification, listing, viewings, negotiation and transfer — while you stay in control remotely. We never sell above your agreed price (no TOP), and Zell funds the marketing. This is general information, not legal advice; use a lawyer to draft and attest your POA.
Frequently asked questions
Can overseas Pakistanis sell property in Karachi remotely?
Yes. By appointing a trusted attorney through a properly attested Power of Attorney, an overseas Pakistani can have the entire sale — verification, marketing, negotiation and transfer — handled on their behalf without travelling to Pakistan.
What is a Power of Attorney for selling property?
A legal document authorising a named person in Pakistan to act on your behalf for the sale — signing documents, completing the transfer and handling proceeds as you instruct. It should be specific to the property and transaction.
How is a Power of Attorney attested from abroad?
It is executed and attested at the Pakistani embassy or consulate in your country of residence, then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Pakistan, and acknowledged as required by the relevant society or sub-registrar.
Do overseas Pakistanis pay tax when selling property in Pakistan?
Yes — non-resident sellers still pay 236-C advance tax and the 7E certificate. Being a filer (on the Active Taxpayers List) reduces the advance-tax rate. Proceeds can be routed through a Roshan Digital Account.
What's your property worth?
Get a free Zell Estimate, then a salaried advisor lists it — we never sell above your agreed price.
