Authorization Letter (Pakistan)

An Authorization Letter in Pakistan records a formal request or statement in writing, giving the recipient the details needed to act on it.

Under Section 182 of the Contract Act 1872, an 'agent' is a person employed to do any act for another or to represent another in dealings with third persons. The person for whom such act is done, or who is so represented, is called the 'principal.' An Authorization Letter creates an agency relationship where the authorized person acts within the scope of authority expressly stated in the letter. Under Section 226 of the Contract Act 1872, the agent's acts within the scope of the authority bind the principal as if the principal had performed those acts directly.

Authorization Letters are widely used in Pakistan across all sectors of daily life. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) accepts Authorization Letters for collection of CNIC, NICOP, Smart National Identity Cards, and passport-related documents where the applicant cannot attend in person. Banks regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) accept Authorization Letters for specific banking transactions — such as collection of bank statements, cheque books, ATM cards, or the conduct of a single transaction on behalf of the account holder — where a full Bank Account Mandate or Power of Attorney is not required.

Government departments, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Board of Investment (BOI), educational institutions, courier services, and immigration authorities all routinely accept Authorization Letters from individuals who authorize a representative to collect documents, submit applications, attend proceedings, or perform administrative tasks on their behalf.

An Authorization Letter is distinct from a Power of Attorney, which is a more formal document that must be executed on stamp paper under the Stamp Act 1899, often before a Notary Public under the Notaries Ordinance 1961, and which grants broader or more permanent authority. The Authorization Letter is a simpler, more flexible instrument for limited, one-time, or short-term delegation of authority and does not generally require registration under the Registration Act 1908 unless it relates to the transfer of immovable property, which would require a properly executed Power of Attorney or conveyance instrument.

For institutional use — particularly banking transactions — an Authorization Letter should be on the principal's letterhead (for businesses) or on plain paper with the principal's full name, CNIC number (issued by NADRA), contact details, and a clear description of the specific authority being delegated. Many banks and government offices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Quetta have their own prescribed formats for Authorization Letters — the relevant institution should be consulted before drafting.

An Authorization Letter in Pakistan is needed across a wide range of personal, institutional, and commercial situations where a person is unable to be present in person but needs an act performed on their behalf.

An Authorization Letter is needed when a person is unable to personally collect their CNIC, NICOP, Smart Card, or other NADRA-issued document and wishes to authorize a family member or trusted representative to collect it from the NADRA office. NADRA accepts Authorization Letters from applicants who are abroad, hospitalised, disabled, or otherwise unable to attend — the authorized collector must present the letter along with their own CNIC for verification.

An Authorization Letter is required when a bank account holder needs another person to conduct a specific banking transaction on their behalf — such as depositing or withdrawing cash, collecting a cheque book or ATM debit card, obtaining account statements, or updating account records at a branch of a bank regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Banks typically require the Authorization Letter to be on the account holder's signature along with a copy of the account holder's CNIC.

An Authorization Letter is needed when a property owner or tenant is unable to appear before a government authority — such as the Board of Revenue, the Revenue Department, the Housing Authority, or the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Karachi Development Authority (KDA), or Capital Development Authority (CDA) — for a land record correction, mutation application, or building permission query, and delegates a representative to appear on their behalf.

An Authorization Letter is required when a student or professional is unable to personally collect an educational certificate, degree, transcript, or examination result from a university, board of education (BISE), or professional regulatory body, and authorizes a relative or representative to collect the document on their behalf.

An Authorization Letter is needed when a company director, business owner, or employer authorizes an employee or representative to appear before the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), file tax returns, collect refund cheques, or respond to audit notices on the company's or employer's behalf.

An Authorization Letter is required in employment contexts — when an employee is unable to appear for a joining or exit formality and authorizes a family member to collect their final salary, provident fund payment, experience certificate, or other employment documents from the employer's HR department.

An Authorization Letter is needed for vehicle-related matters — when the registered owner of a motor vehicle is unable to personally appear before the Excise and Taxation Department for transfer of ownership, collection of vehicle registration book, or payment of token tax, and authorizes another person to complete the formality.

An Authorization Letter is required for minor children's matters — when a parent or guardian authorizes a school, hospital, or travel companion to act on behalf of their minor child for a specific purpose such as medical treatment consent, school admission procedures, or travel assistance.

A valid Authorization Letter in Pakistan under the Contract Act 1872 must contain the following essential elements to be accepted by government authorities, banks, educational institutions, and other organizations.

Date: The date on which the Authorization Letter is written. This establishes the timeline of the delegation and allows the receiving institution to determine whether the authorization is current. Authorization Letters are generally valid for a short, defined period — typically 30 to 90 days from the date of writing, or for a specific transaction or event.

Principal's Identification: The full legal name of the authorizer (principal) exactly as it appears on their NADRA CNIC, their CNIC number (13-digit format: XXXXX-XXXXXXX-X), their father's name (used as a second identifier in Pakistani legal and administrative documents), their residential address, and their contact number. This information enables the receiving institution to verify the principal's identity against NADRA's CIMS database.

Authorized Person's Identification: The full legal name of the person being authorized, their CNIC number, their relationship to the principal (son, daughter, spouse, employee, or other), and their contact details. The receiving institution will typically require the authorized person to present their original CNIC for identity verification against the details in the letter.

Specific Authority Granted: A precise description of what the authorized person is permitted to do — for example, "to collect my CNIC from NADRA office, Lahore," "to withdraw an amount not exceeding PKR 50,000 from my account number XXXX at Bank AL Habib, Gulberg Branch, Lahore," or "to appear before the Karachi Development Authority and collect my property documents." Vague or overly broad authority is a ground for rejection by cautious institutions.

Scope Limitations: Any limitations on the authority — the maximum amount authorized (for banking transactions), the specific office or branch at which the authority can be exercised, the specific document to be collected, or the specific transaction to be performed. Limitations protect the principal against unauthorized use of the letter.

Validity Period: The start date and end date of the authorization, or a statement that the authorization is for a single use and expires upon completion of the specified act. An open-ended authorization without a stated expiry is risky — institutions prefer letters with a stated validity period of 30 to 90 days.

Principal's Signature and CNIC Copy: The principal's original signature (matching their bank or NADRA signature specimen) and a clear copy of their CNIC attached to the letter. Many institutions — particularly banks regulated by the SBP — require the principal's signature to be verified against their account signature card before accepting the Authorization Letter.

Witness Details (where required): Some institutions require the Authorization Letter to be witnessed by one or two adult persons who can verify the principal's signature and identity. The witnesses' names and CNIC numbers should be stated.

Attestation (for enhanced credibility): While not legally mandatory for simple Authorization Letters, attestation by an Oath Commissioner, First Class Judicial Magistrate, or Notary Public under the Notaries Ordinance 1961 significantly enhances the letter's credibility and is often required by government departments and courts. Attestation on stamp paper under the Stamp Act 1899 is recommended for high-value or sensitive authorizations.

Forms-legal.com provides this Authorization Letter (Pakistan) template as a practical starting point for common delegation situations. For authorizations involving significant financial transactions, immovable property, or legal proceedings, a formal Power of Attorney executed before a Notary Public under the Notaries Ordinance 1961 on stamp paper under the Stamp Act 1899 provides stronger legal protection than a simple Authorization Letter.

Under Pakistani law, the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 governs Muslim marriage (nikah), divorce (talaq), maintenance, and dower (mehr). The Family Courts Act 1964 establishes Family Courts with jurisdiction over matrimonial disputes. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) issues CNIC, NICOP, and birth/death certificates. The Guardian and Wards Act 1890 governs child custody. The Federal Shariat Court reviews laws for Islamic compliance.