The Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act has officially come into force, prompting the Lahore High Court to establish specialized property tribunals across the province. These tribunals are designed to adjudicate cases involving land grabbing and the illegal occupation of property. Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, has appointed 36 Additional Session Judges to serve as heads of these tribunals in various districts throughout Punjab. The list of appointments has also been forwarded to the Punjab government for formal notification.
With the implementation of the amended law, stay orders in 575 pending cases have been withdrawn, and these cases have been transferred to the newly established tribunals for further proceedings. Under the revised legal framework, the tribunals will hear and decide matters related to unlawful possession of land and other property disputes that fall within their jurisdiction. Authorities have stated that committees headed by deputy commissioners have already reviewed land encroachment complaints and submitted their recommendations to the relevant tribunals for consideration.
Powers and Penalties
The tribunals have been empowered to order the recovery of illegally occupied properties with the assistance of law enforcement agencies. Individuals found guilty of land grabbing or illegal occupation may face prison terms ranging from three to ten years, along with fines amounting to millions of rupees. The amended legislation further allows either party in a case pending before another court to request that the case be transferred to a deputy commissioner-led committee. However, the final decision regarding such transfers will remain with the court hearing the case.
Background and Implementation
Earlier, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum had suspended proceedings under the law due to concerns over its alleged misuse. After the Punjab government introduced amendments to address those concerns, all pending stay orders before the Lahore High Court have now been lifted. The newly appointed Additional Session Judges will begin functioning as tribunal heads, while the transferred cases will proceed under the procedures laid out in the amended legislation. This move is expected to expedite the resolution of property disputes and curb illegal occupation of land across Punjab.
