A major and long-standing land dispute concerning the Ojhri Camp area in Rawalpindi has finally reached a resolution, bringing closure to a conflict that spanned over three and a half decades. The matter was settled through a formal arbitration process, marking a significant victory for the private landowners involved.
The Core of the Decades-Long Conflict
The dispute centered on a prime piece of land measuring 17 kanals and 19 marlas, located in the heart of Rawalpindi's bustling Tipu Road area, specifically in Mauza Kuri. The bone of contention was the rightful ownership of this valuable property. On one side were private citizens, the legal heirs of the original owners. On the other side stood the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), which had taken control of the land years ago.
The roots of this conflict stretch back to 1988. Following a catastrophic disaster at the Ojhri Camp ammunition depot, the federal government initiated a large-scale resettlement and compensation program for affected residents. As part of this effort, the government sought to acquire land from private owners. The claimants in this case argued that their land was taken over by the RDA during this period, but they were never adequately compensated, nor was the land formally transferred to them for the stated public purpose.
Arbitration: The Path to Resolution
With the dispute dragging on for years without a clear solution, the parties involved agreed to take the matter to arbitration. A distinguished panel was formed to adjudicate the case. The arbitration tribunal was chaired by Justice (retd) Abdul Rasheed, a former judge of the Lahore High Court. He was joined by two other respected members: Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and Mian Abdul Waheed.
After carefully examining all the evidence, legal documents, and arguments presented by both sides, the tribunal reached a decisive verdict. The ruling was unequivocally in favor of the private landowners. The arbitration award declared that the claimants were the true and lawful owners of the disputed 17 kanals and 19 marlas. Consequently, the tribunal ordered the RDA to immediately hand over possession of the land to its rightful owners.
Implications and a Call for Broader Reform
This resolution is being hailed as a landmark decision that underscores the importance of legal recourse and fair arbitration in settling complex property disputes. For the families who have waited for 36 years, the verdict represents justice finally being served and the restoration of their legal property rights.
The successful outcome of this case also highlights a critical issue within Pakistan's urban development framework. Legal experts and analysts point out that this is not an isolated incident. Similar disputes, where land is acquired or occupied by development authorities without completing proper legal procedures or compensation, are common across the country.
The Ojhri Camp case sets a powerful precedent. It demonstrates that arbitration can be an effective and efficient alternative to prolonged litigation in courts, which can often take even longer to resolve such matters. Stakeholders are now urging other provincial and federal development authorities to review their records and settle outstanding land disputes through similar transparent and just mechanisms.
This resolution brings a definitive end to a chapter of uncertainty for the affected families and reinforces the principle that property rights, no matter how long they have been contested, must be upheld through due process of law.
