PESHAWAR: Overseas Pakistanis Property Bill 2026 has been passed. Under the bill, special courts will be established to protect the properties of overseas Pakistanis.
According to the details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed the Overseas Pakistanis Property Bill 2026, which aims to protect the properties of overseas Pakistanis and ensure prompt resolution of disputes.
Under the bill, special courts will be established to protect the properties of overseas Pakistanis, which will hear cases including land acquisition. These courts will be established throughout the province in consultation with the Peshawar High Court.
Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam presented the bill in the house. Under the bill, district judges or experienced lawyers will be appointed as judges in special courts, whose term of appointment will be three years.
According to the law, overseas Pakistanis will be able to submit online applications for property-related disputes, while video link facility will also be available for recording testimony and statements, and special courts will be required to decide each case within 120 days.
The bill gives the courts broad powers to stop illegal transfer of property, issue immediate injunctions and stop illegal sales, while a heavy fine can be imposed on the applicant if the case is proven to be false.
Under the law, an appeal can be filed against the final decision of the court within 15 days, while the High Court is required to pronounce a decision on the appeal within 90 days.
All pending property-related cases will be transferred to the new special courts.
The bill also includes a provision to provide assistance to overseas Pakistanis in recovering property rents, while court notices can also be sent through mobile phones, email and mosques.
According to the law, the police and administration will be bound to implement court orders, while court records will be secured through a modern electronic system. The government will also appoint a registrar for complaints from overseas Pakistanis and a committee will submit a report on the implementation of the law every year.
The new law will be applicable immediately in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while cases will be heard even in the absence of overseas Pakistanis.
