In Pakistan an affidavit in Pakistan, is a written and sworn statement of fact authenticated by the oath or affirmation of that person who makes it, the deponent. This is generally an official document that is employed in many issues where the population is obliged to declare the truth in front of a court of law, the government body, or any official body. Affidavits are theoretically legally binding in Pakistan and thus they are admissible as evidence in both civil and administrative cases. Affidavit aims at recording a statement in a formal manner so that it can be used actually in the case of legal matters or administrative purposes and must have accountability and authenticity.
Legal Importance of Affidavit in Pakistan
The use of affidavits in Pakistan is deeply embedded in the nation’s legal processes. It is known under the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 which applies the rules of evidence in the country. Courts and the government offices demand the affidavits to prove facts in issues like property transfer, family altercations, business transactions, immigration and education application. An affidavit obliges the deponent to assume the full legal responsibility to this statement being true. The Pakistan Penal Code states that any incorrect statement in an affidavit would lead to a legal action in form of a fine or jail term.
Types of Affidavits that are Common in Pakistan
In Pakistan, there are various choices of affidavits that happen to serve various intents. They are the affidavit of support, affidavit for domicile, affidavit for name change, affidavit for property matters, as well as affidavit for marriage; which are the most common. Both types are written based on the needs of a particular case and have to be sworn in by a qualified official, most likely an oath commissioner, notary clerk or magistrate.

Affidavit of Support
In Pakistan, the affidavit of support is usually needed in immigration and sponsorship cases especially where one is financially sponsoring a visa or residency application by another. This kind of affidavit proves that the sponsor possesses enough finance to accommodate the applicant during their stay either abroad or in Pakistan.
An example is where students who are seeking to get admission in foreign universities must submit an affidavit of support by parents or guardians to demonstrate evidence of funding. On the same note, it might be necessary where there is need to reunify families, joint business ventures or perhaps to sponsor employment. Such additional information required in this affidavit of support should include the details of sponsors income, their occupation and willingness to cater the living expenses of the applicant.
Affidavit for Domicile
Other legal documents in Pakistan include an affidavit for domicile. Most of the time, it is necessary when one is seeking domicile certification with the local representatives. This affidavit for domicile grants the permanent stay of the applicant in a certain district or province in Pakistan. It is the most widely applied when it comes to educational quotas, application in the government jobs, or updating of statistical records.
The address, the length of stay in a given place and confirmation that the applicant has never been awarded another domicile in a different destination must be stated in the affidavit for domicile. These supporting documents are normally attached along with the affidavit for domicile including the utility bills, national identity card, and proof of residence.
Process of Making an Affidavit in Pakistan
In order to prepare an affidavit in Pakistan, the initial requirement is to compose the content based on the case needs. It must be written in a specific, objective, and non-exaggerated wording. The affidavit should be printed on a non-judicial stamp paper of the proper value once prepared which is decided depending on the nature of the declaration. Once printed out, the deponent is then required to sign in the presence of the authority where an oath commissioner is required. The officer next checks the identity of the deponent, takes the oath and signs the document and seals it with an official seal and signature.
Affidavit Fee in Pakistan
The cost of affidavit in Pakistan will be a variation based on stamp duty on the stamp hyper paper and the charges that are levied by the authorized authority. The charges however would be minimal for the regular affidavits when taking into consideration the stamp paper which is cost ranging between Rs. 50 to Rs. 500 along with the small fee in the affidavit attesting. Nonetheless, some are specialized affidavits like the affidavit of support used during immigration process which might need very high valued stamp papers or an extra notarization hence costing more money. Before proceeding, it is good to check that the affidavit fee at the local court or the office of the oath commissioner states.
Uses of Affidavits in Pakistan
An affidavit in Pakistan is used on many legal and administrative occasions. It may be employed to claim the ownership right, to resolve disputes, or replacement of rights in property issues. Affidavits are utilized in family law to claim child custody, inheritance issues or even divorce. In education, universities can insist on affidavits during the admissions of students, scholarships, or the hostels. Affidavits are also needed by government authorities in order to rectify names in official records, prove marital status or even in obtaining updates in national identity.

Writing and Correctness
An affidavit in Pakistan demands absolute accuracy concise wording, complete honesty, and a single direct answer for every point. Any misleading information that has been given in an affidavit may have severe legal consequences according to Section 191 and 193 of the Pakistan penal code. These provisions impose penalties for giving false evidence and for fabricating evidence. Therefore, it is advisable to draft or review an affidavit in the presence of a legal expert to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Attestation Requirements
An affidavit has to be attested to be legally valid in Pakistan. This happens either through an oath commissioner, notary public or magister, depending on the kind of affidavit being signed. In some instances, an affidavit must be attested not only by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan but also by the embassy of the destination country for which the document is prepared. Instead, it is a multi-stage attestation assuring that the statement of affidavit is taken as a valid document in law in the country itself as well as in the international scenario.
Validity and Retention
An affidavit in Pakistan stands to be valid as long as the facts mentioned in it are true and remain constant. Most affidavits do not have a set lifespan so far as there is no time limitation on the purpose of which it was created. One should keep affidavits secure because they can be demanded in legal future references or in official statements. Destruction or damage of an affidavit may cause problems in the establishment of facts particularly in law suits.
Conclusion
The affidavit in Pakistan is one of the most significant legal documents that serve a significant purpose in personal and business affairs. An affidavit of support whether in an immigration context, an affidavit for domicile in order to gain a government job quota or any other sworn declaration is legally binding. The knowledge of the process, required legal regulations, and the reasons the affidavit fee is charged enables the person to create the legal and viable affidavit.
The importance of being extra careful in the preparation and certification of the affidavits cannot be overemphasized since they are legally binding statements. Affidavits are still a vital instrument in the Pakistani legal system in order to make the facts stated as credible within the law.