Some legal documents come up again and again in everyday life in Pakistan: renting a house, lending money to a relative, selling a car, letting someone handle your affairs while you are abroad. Here are five templates worth keeping, what each is for, and what to do after you fill them in. Each one is free on Lawzo in English and Urdu.

1. Rent agreement (kiraya nama)

Use it when: you rent out or rent a house, flat or portion.

A good rent agreement records the rent, the security deposit and when it is refunded, the notice period, who pays bills and who handles repairs. These are the clauses that cause most landlord–tenant disputes.

After filling it in: print it on stamp paper of the right value for your province, sign every page with two witnesses, and keep copies. Leases over one year must be registered.

Create a free rent agreement · Read the 10-clause checklist

2. General affidavit (bayan-e-halfi)

Use it when: a university, bank, NADRA, an embassy or an employer asks for a sworn statement of facts, such as residence, relationship, or correcting a detail.

After filling it in: print it on stamp paper and sign it before an oath commissioner or notary public, who will attest it.

Create a free affidavit. Lawzo also has specific affidavits for lost documents, name or date-of-birth correction and single status.

3. General power of attorney (mukhtar nama aam)

Use it when: you need someone you trust to act for you, such as dealing with banks or offices, or managing property, especially if you live abroad.

Be careful: a power of attorney gives real legal power over your affairs. Under the Registration Act, 1908, a power of attorney concerning the sale of immovable property must be registered. Overseas Pakistanis usually have it attested at a Pakistani embassy or consulate.

General power of attorney · Overseas Pakistani power of attorney · Revoke a power of attorney

4. Friendly loan agreement or promissory note

Use it when: you lend money to a friend or relative, or borrow from one.

Most people lend money between family and friends on trust alone. When repayment stops, there is often no proof of the loan or of when it was due. A short written agreement recording the amount, repayment dates and signatures prevents years of argument and is valuable evidence if you ever need to recover the money.

Friendly loan agreement · Promissory note

5. Vehicle sale agreement

Use it when: you buy or sell a car or motorcycle privately.

Until the vehicle is transferred at the Excise and Taxation office, the seller can still be linked to it, including for challans or worse. A sale agreement records the date and time of handover, the price, the chassis and engine numbers, and who is responsible from that moment.

Create a vehicle sale agreement · Vehicle transfer authority letter

Honourable mentions

• Property sale agreement (bayana) for property deals
• Legal notice for recovery of money
• Islamic will (wasiyat nama)
• Employment contract and offer letter
• Freelance services agreement for Pakistan's freelancers

Browse all free legal templates

When a template isn't enough

Templates are a good starting point for common situations. If your deal is high-value or unusual, or the other side is already disputing it, have a lawyer review the document before you sign. You can also upload any draft to Lawzo's document review for a plain-language summary of its risks and obligations, or book a verified lawyer.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Stamp duty, attestation and registration requirements differ by province and document type.