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Buy DHA Lahore Phase 10 Files
Money From Selling a House Land Have to Be Invested in House Land Hadith
Hadith states that when you earn money from selling a house or land, you must invest that money again in a house or land.

NOTE: Frequently asked questions list common questions and answers on a particular topic. Therefore, you should ignore any question or answer that does not fit the context. Moreover, answering every possible question for all contexts remains difficult.


Frequently Asked Questions About Property Investment

Do I Invest in Property or Not?

  • Property investment always gives fruitful results if you hold long enough.
  • People have invested in real estate for centuries.
  • In general, people call property a dead investment because it requires patience.
  • Minimum holding for residential or commercial property should be 5 years.
  • Ten years usually ensures handsome returns.

Tip: Dealers, agents, builders, and even authorities may highlight short-term investments mainly to serve their own benefit.


What is a File?

  • A file means property that has not gone through balloting.
  • Even if the authority has balloted it, the property may not exist on ground.
  • Furthermore, even if it exists on ground, the builder, developer, or authority may not have granted possession.
  • Without possession, construction cannot start.
  • Consequently, until possession arrives, investors must treat such property as a file.

Tips:

  • File prices can rise or fall sharply with market conditions.
  • In most cases, investors pay land cost over three years.
  • Furthermore, they pay development charges over another three years.
  • This schedule creates a structured payment plan.
  • Therefore, before you invest in a file, stay clear about your expected holding time.

What is a Plot?

  • A property becomes a plot only when the builder, developer, or authority grants possession.
  • With possession, construction can start immediately.

Tips:

  • After the ballot, dealers and agents often sell or buy a file with a plot number and call it a “PLOT.”
  • However, authorities may change the plan due to technical reasons, unfair practices, or to oblige officials.
  • Therefore, plot numbers may change.
  • Buyers should only treat it as a plot once possession arrives.
  • Any property before possession should remain a “FILE.”
  • Physical possession plots stay more stable in all market conditions.
  • Files and plot files fluctuate sharply with market changes.
  • People call them plot files when society allots numbers after a ballot but does not yet give possession.

What is a Society?

A society provides organized urban planning with facilities for living and business.

Basic Facilities

  • Electricity
  • Water
  • Gas
  • Sewerage
  • Road Network
  • Commercial Area

Advanced Facilities

  • Parks
  • Play Areas
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Extras such as Golf Course, Club, Gated Security, etc.

Types of Societies in Lahore

  • Authority-Run: LDA (Faisal Town, Johar Town, Avenue 1) or DHA
  • Cooperative Bodies: Wapda Town, NFC, Model Town, UET
  • Private Developers: Bahria Town, Urban Developers, Eden Builders

Tips:

  • LDA acts as Lahore’s master planner since the 1975 LDA Act.
  • DHA runs parallel in cantonment with A-class projects.
  • Cooperative bodies provide affordable quality living.
  • Private developers deliver modern, state-of-the-art projects.

How to Verify a Society?

Before you buy, confirm:

  • Does the society register with SECP or Cooperative Department?
  • Does the society transfer land into its own name in revenue record?
  • Does the society hold a valid NOC from LDA, CDA, GDA, MDA, or FDA?
  • Does the society arrange on-site utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and sewerage?

Tips:

  • Never invest in pre-launch bookings.
  • Always wait for official booking launches advertised in newspapers.
  • The ad must show location, schedule, installment plan, and possession year.
  • Always check newspaper warnings issued by authorities against unapproved projects.
  • Review lists of approved/unapproved schemes and confirm with the authority office.
  • Remember: marketing firms or agents often highlight only the projects they handle for profit.

What is Balloting?

  • In real estate, balloting means the authority assigns plot numbers to allottees.
  • Ballot means allocation decided by drawing lots.
  • Two types exist in Pakistan’s property market:

Booking Ballot

  • When a developer offers a project on installments, people apply.
  • Then the authority holds a ballot to decide successful and unsuccessful applicants.

Plot Ballot

  • Authority allots numbers against files and issues maps.

Tip:

  • Nowadays, many use the word ballot to mislead.
  • Always ask clearly:
    • Is booking confirmed or through ballot?
    • When will they hold the plot ballot?

Which Location is Best?

  • People often call Facing Park, Main Boulevard, or Corner plots best.
  • However, the best location is always what fits your budget.

What is Short Term & Long Term Investment?

  • People usually link quick gains with short term and longer gains with long term.
  • However, the true measure depends on delivery, not profit.

Rules

  • Delivery within 1–2 years = Short Term
  • Delivery after 2+ years = Mid or Long Term (depending on duration)

Factors

  • Prices rise for many reasons, yet delivery stays the main measure.
  • Occupancy pace also matters.
  • Quick delivery with slow occupancy delays growth.
  • Fast occupancy boosts consistent growth.
  • Therefore, investors must check both delivery and occupancy.

Tip: Always ask agents or authorities for official delivery timelines.


What is Difference Between Allocation & Affidavit Files?

Affidavit Files

  • Created when a landholder surrenders land to DHA.
  • DHA issues two files of one Kanal for each acre.
  • DHA writes seller’s name but leaves purchaser’s name open.
  • Landholder fills buyer’s name and submits with fee voucher.
  • DHA transfers file and issues intimation letter.
  • Buyer then pays membership fee and receives allocation letter.
  • Transfer fee ranges from 6,500–20,000.
  • Buyers pay no CVT, Stamp Duty, or Advance Tax.
  • Transfers complete in 3–4 days without buyer/seller present.

Allocation Files

  • Start after affidavit conversion or direct allotment.
  • Buyer holds allocation letter.
  • Authority applies NDC and charges Stamp Duty, CVT, Advance Taxes, and DHA fee.
  • Both seller and buyer must appear for transfer (except overseas/on-behalf cases).
  • Buyer must personally collect the letter.
  • Transfers take 7–10 days.

Tip: Affidavit files cost more than allocation files because of lower transfer charges. Both stay equally secure since DHA issues them.


When Will Ballot, Development, and Possession Happen?

  • Investors often ask this from agents or dealers.
  • Agents share limited knowledge.
  • They usually rely on CROs, who often lack complete awareness.
  • As a result, investors feel dissatisfied due to incomplete or wrong details.

Tips:

  • Contact only the authority for accurate answers.
  • Only developers or authorities know actual ballot, development, and possession timelines.
  • Therefore, rely on official updates, not agent assumptions.

How Much Holding Time Must Investors Plan?

General Timelines:

  • Minimum: 1 year
  • Reasonable: 3 years
  • Sufficient: 5 years
  • Enough: 10 years
  • More than enough: 15 years

Growth Patterns:

  • Mature projects grow slowly but stay stable.
  • Underdeveloped projects grow fast but carry higher risk.

Tips:

  • Always define holding time before investing.
  • Holders win, so holding capacity ensures strong positions.
  • Consult your agent, but never invest if you cannot hold for at least a year.
  • If you have time to track daily trends, you may consider less than 1 year.
  • Otherwise, avoid short-term investments.
  • Always plan to hold until possession.
  • If you cannot pay installments, avoid booking.

Which Investment is Better: Residential or Commercial?

  • Commercial investments usually give higher returns and rental income.
  • Residential investments serve personal living needs.

Tips: Decide by checking:

  • Do you need dual-use (residential + commercial)?
  • How large is the local population for commercial demand?
  • What amenities exist for residential comfort?

Which is Better: Cash Payment or Installments?

  • Only individuals can answer this based on their goals.

Factors:

  • Do you invest purely for return?
  • Do you need it for personal residence or business?
  • When do you plan to build?
  • Can you manage installments easily?
  • Can you wait until possession?

Tip: Do not book if you cannot hold until possession. Premature selling risks losses, while dealers and builders profit.


Do I Contact More Than One Agent?

  • Yes, never rely on a single source.
  • Consult at least 5 agents before buying or selling.

Tip: Use property portals to find agents. Always prefer agents with offices in the same society.


What are Commission Charges?

  • Traditionally, agents charged 2% each from buyer and seller.
  • Due to competition, many now agree to 1% or negotiate.
  • In rentals, agents usually charge half of one month’s rent, agreed between tenant and landlord.

What is the Price for a Plot in Lahore?

  • Lahore’s vast size makes price ranges wide.
  • For example, a 5 Marla residential plot may cost 2 lacs in some areas and 70–80 lacs in prime areas.
  • Dealers often highlight only where they work and profit most.

Tip: Always decide your area first, then survey the market.


Where to Invest in Lahore?

  • Locals and overseas Pakistanis ask this most often.
  • Every part of Lahore offers opportunities depending on individual needs.
  • People already live everywhere.
  • Dealers promote only societies they handle for profit.

Tip: Only buyers can choose the best area. Consider:

  • Budget
  • Location priorities
  • Family accessibility

Buyer’s Checklist for Choosing Location

  • Consider children’s education.
  • Evaluate workplace/business access.
  • Check family proximity.
  • Define personal preferences.

Questions & Answers (Darul Uloom Karachi)

  • Can I sell my flat after booking with down payment, even though I did not take possession and the builder did not start construction?
  • Can I sell property after paying Biana, even though the seller did not transfer it and I did not take possession?
  • Can I sell a plot in an underdeveloped society after booking and paying, even though the society did not allot a number?

Rewrite it all with same structure but use maximum transition words and avoid passive words

Please Download following Fatwa for the answers to above asked questions

Property Fatwa about Sale Purchase of Installment Plots Homes Flats

Mufti Tariq Masood explaninig the Selling & Buying of booking forms:


Also read:

File Estate vs Plot Estate vs Real Estate: Understanding the Difference | eProperty®

209 thoughts on “Property Investment in Pakistan – Complete FAQ Guide for Buyers & Investors (2025)

  1. Great News For LDA City Lahore member, finally DG Director announced balloting date 30th November 2020 by News Funnel. Hopefully, LDA City Lahore Balloting is going to be held on 30th November 2020.

  2. assalm o alikum atif bhai hope you are fine kindly tell me that my friend purchase plot on cash in society and on alottment letter no number mention although number givren to him at the time of purchasing but now not mention so tell me that if purchasing on cash so plot number mentioned on alottment letter or not

  3. I bought an open file of Faisal Town, The installment plan was ending in 2019. However I was unable to pay the installments on time and the plot has been transferred to someone else. But they did not inform me earlier and they said I need to pay surcharge 3 lac rupees to restore it , and few months later they said its 6 lac, well I paid 6 lac surcharge plus the remaining payment of the plot. But now they are saying that plot has already transferred to someone else. And they are saying that I need to pay 11 lacs more surcharge in order to get replacement plot. Now my question is can I legally ask them to refund my payment which is already paid to them inclusive 6 lac surcharge. ?

    Majid Malik

  4. Salam atif bhai!
    My mother entered in a plot ballot held by KDA and she was assigned a plot and she had submitted all the installments (chalans) but we have’nt take its possession yet so would it considered a plot or plot file?

    1. Dear Syed Wasay Ali Bhai,

      If the area is in possession then it is plot, other wise you may call it plot file becuase number is allotted. Usually in market two terms are used as file or plot. Once number allotted it is called as plot. But we can further calssify it as:

      File (not balloted)
      Plot File (ballot and number allotted, uder developmnent or not)
      Plot (possession is granted by builder, developer or authority for immidiate constrction)

      1. For how long a society /CDA can hold the plot worth lhr giving possession ,can we take any legal action against the society of the plot is still not ready for possession after 5 year of allotment ( plot number was allotted In Jan 2016 ..

  5. AOA,
    Atif bhai lda city mein 5 marly ka plot kitny ka mily ga. and secondly plot ki file ko kese check krna hta ha i mean fake na ho and each and everything clear ho bcz registiry ka mjy experience ha but files ka ni.

    1. Dear Sir,

      In case of buying an Army plot, we must check that seller valid NOC from GHQ. Also in Army plots development installment start at the time of allotment to Army Person. Where as it may possible that at the same yet development charges not announed for Civil plots. So in this case we have to pay updated development charges till date for Army Plots.

  6. Assalamoalaikum

    I bought a plot worth Rs: 5.0 million a couple of year back on booking in a housing society. I’m paying in monthly installments and have paid around Rs: 1.0 million as yet. The property value has already doubled or even more. My income is salary-based. Kindly let me know how do I file it in my IT Returns?

    1. Salaam im wondering did you buy plot and develop on it and build property yourself? what do you do after buying plot in a housing society? many thanks

      1. Dear Sir,

        We are offering construction services for clients but currently we are not offering our own constructed properties. We are only offer buying and selling services for plots, commercials, apartment, offices, shops etc.

  7. Aoa can you please tell us your preference in investing for 5M for in the following places:

    1- DHA 9 Town E Block

    2- DHA 8 Z block fully paid

    3- DHA 9 Prism J block up and clear area

    Regards,

    Safia

  8. Salam, 
    I have around 50 lakhs in the bank which i am thinking of investing into property however need some advice. Which area in lahore will give best gains in next 2-3 years? Its for a safe investment with maximum return. 
    Thank you,
    Aziz

        1. Dear Aziz,

          Selection of Sector will depend on your budget. Partial possession is expecetd in next year. All three Sectos J, K and R are good.

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