LHC suspends Punjab government’s property ordinance

LAHORE: In a major legal setback to the Punjab government, the Lahore High Court has temporarily suspended the implementation of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025.

The ordinance was implemented with the approval of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, under which committees headed by the Deputy Commissioner were given the authority to decide property disputes.

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Alia Neelam issued this interim order on Monday during the hearing of petitions filed by Abida Parveen and other petitioners, challenging the decisions taken regarding property under the new ordinance.

The court also suspended all decisions related to taking possession of properties under the new law through the interim order.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed serious reservations about the law and remarked that if this law remains in force, even the Jati Umra can be vacated in half an hour; some people want to take all the powers into their own hands.

The Chief Justice raised the question of what basis a revenue officer has to transfer possession of a property when a matter is pending in a civil court.

He said that the new law practically abolishes the civil system, civil rights, and judicial supremacy, and if the power is in the hands of the authorities, they will even suspend the Constitution.

The court also expressed concern over the point that if, under this law, a Deputy Commissioner transfers the possession of a citizen’s house to someone else, the affected person does not even have the right to appeal, while the High Court is also not empowered to issue a stay order.

Later, the court announced that a full bench would be formed to hear the matter further, after which the hearing was adjourned.