Vakalatnama Explained: Drafting Power of Attorney for Pakistani Courts

Every matter in a Pakistani court begins with a vakalatnama — the instrument by which a client authorises an advocate to act. It is routine, which is exactly why it is so often treated carelessly. A vague or defective authority can be challenged, and a challenge at the threshold is the last thing any litigant needs.

General vs special authority

A general vakalatnama authorises the advocate to conduct the matter broadly — appear, plead, file, and take the usual steps. A special power of attorney confines the authority to defined acts: compromising the suit, withdrawing it, receiving money on the client’s behalf. The distinction matters. Acts that affect the client’s substantive rights generally require express, special authority.

• General authority — appear, plead and conduct the matter
• Special authority — compromise, withdraw, or receive money
• Always name the parties and the matter precisely
• Always have execution properly witnessed

Overseas and foreign-citizen execution

A large share of Pakistani litigation — especially property disputes — involves clients living abroad. A power of attorney executed overseas usually needs to be attested before the relevant Pakistani mission and may require further attestation on return. Getting the chain of attestation right at the start prevents the document being questioned when it matters most.

How Legal Diary helps

Legal Diary includes a Vakalatnama / Power of Attorney generator with three modes — General, Special and Overseas — plus a relationship picker for foreign-citizen execution. Fill the client and matter details once and produce a clean, properly worded instrument, saved straight to the matter file. Less retyping, fewer defects, faster filings.

Generate your next vakalatnama in minutes — start a free Legal Diary trial today.