LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed that petitions against the actions taken under the Property Ownership Act 2025 be presented before a full bench.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, questioned the government lawyer on how verbal possession is being granted without any orders. She asked, “If someone tells you something without an order, would you accept it? You would ask to see the order first before proceeding.”
Justice Aalia Neelum further inquired whether the civil court is obligated to refer cases to the tribunal, and whether verbal orders had been issued by the tribunals. She pointed out that despite a notification being issued for the tribunals nearly two and a half months ago, they have yet to begin functioning. “There is no staff, and it’s unclear where the tribunals will be located,” she added.
The Lahore High Court also ordered that petitions challenging actions under the Property Ownership Act be placed before a full bench for further consideration.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Bar Council welcomed the Lahore High Court’s decision to suspend the Punjab Protection of Property Law and criticized the statement made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council stated that the new ordinance undermines judicial supremacy, citizen rights, and the civil system, adding that granting possession through a revenue officer in ongoing cases is an attack on judicial authority.
He also condemned the granting of powers beyond jurisdiction to Patwaris and Assistant Commissioners, calling it unacceptable.
Moreover, Pakistan Bar Council member Ahsan Bhown demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz retract her statement, asserting that the individuals who drafted this law had given wrong advice.
The Punjab Bar Council also expressed support for the suspension of the ordinance, stating that the Chief Minister’s response to the judicial order was intolerable, unconstitutional, and a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary.
‘Law suspension to aid land grabbers,’ CM Maryam reacts to LHC ruling on property protection law
