Pakistan Land & Revenue Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms you see on a Fard, registry or revenue map in Pakistan — in English and Urdu. Tap any term to link directly to its definition.
- Marlaمرلہ
- A traditional unit of land area in Pakistan. In most of Punjab 1 marla = 272.25 square feet (the "big" marla); in some areas and housing societies 1 marla = 225 square feet. There are 20 marla in 1 kanal.
- Kanalکنال
- A unit of land area equal to 20 marla. In Punjab 1 kanal = 5,445 square feet (using the 272.25 sq ft marla). Eight kanal make approximately one acre.
- Murabbaمربع
- A large square of agricultural land created under the rectangulation (murabbabandi) system, equal to 25 acres (about 200 kanal). Each murabba is divided into 25 numbered killas.
- Killaکِلہ
- One numbered square within a murabba, equal to 1 acre (8 kanal). The killa is the basic plot in canal-irrigated, rectangulated land in Punjab.
- Khasra numberخسرہ نمبر
- The unique number assigned to each individual field or parcel in a mouza's revenue record. Khasra numbers are shown on the shajra (revenue map).
- Karamکرم
- A traditional unit of length used in land measurement, equal to 5.5 feet (one and a half gaz). A square of 1 karam × 1 karam relates the older length system to area units like the sarsai and marla.
- Sarsaiسرسائی
- A small sub-unit of a marla used in some land records, where 1 marla = 9 sarsai. It is used for very precise area figures on the Fard.
- Wirasat (Inheritance)وراثت
- The Islamic law of inheritance (faraid) that determines how a deceased Muslim's estate is divided among heirs. In Pakistan it is applied through the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1962 after debts, funeral costs and any valid bequest are settled.
- Fard / Jamabandiفرد / جمع بندی
- The Fard (record of rights) is an extract from the Jamabandi — the periodic register of land ownership, cultivation and rights maintained by the patwari. It shows who owns a khasra, the area, and any charges on it.
- Intiqal (Mutation)انتقال
- The official process of transferring ownership of land in the revenue record — for example after a sale, gift or inheritance. Once sanctioned, the Jamabandi is updated to reflect the new owner.
- Registryرجسٹری
- The registered sale deed executed before the sub-registrar that legally documents the transfer of property. Stamp duty and registration fees are paid at this stage.
- Patwariپٹواری
- The village-level revenue officer responsible for maintaining land records (Jamabandi, mutations and maps) for a patwar circle. The patwari is the first point of contact for most land-record matters.
- Aks-Shajraعکسِ شجرہ
- A copy of the shajra — the official revenue map of a mouza that shows the layout and numbering of every khasra (field). It is used to locate plots and their boundaries.
- Musaviمساوی
- The scaled measurement sheet (cadastral field sheet) used by the patwari to draw and measure khasra parcels for a mouza.
- Mouzaموضع
- A revenue estate or village — the basic unit for which a separate set of land records (Jamabandi and shajra) is maintained.
- DC rateڈی سی ریٹ
- The Deputy Commissioner's notified minimum value per marla for a location, used as the basis for calculating stamp duty, registration and other transfer taxes.
These definitions are for general guidance and education. For official rulings, exact figures or disputes, please contact your local revenue office (Patwari/Tehsildar) or a qualified lawyer.