LAHORE (MNN): Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday issued an interim order suspending the enforcement of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025, which authorises deputy commissioner-led committees to decide property disputes.
The chief justice passed the order while hearing petitions filed by Abida Parveen and others, challenging actions taken under the ordinance. The court also suspended all decisions made under the new law that resulted in the transfer or withdrawal of possession of properties.
During the hearing, Justice Aalia Neelum strongly criticised the legislation, remarking that if the law remained in force, even Jati Umra, the residence of the Sharif family, could be vacated within half an hour. She observed that the law appeared to concentrate excessive powers in a few hands.
Questioning the intent behind the ordinance, the chief justice asked how a revenue officer could hand over possession of property while the matter was pending before a civil court. She noted that the law had effectively undermined the civil justice system, civil rights, and judicial authority.
She further remarked that if left unchecked, authorities might even attempt to suspend the Constitution. Justice Neelum pointed out that under the new law, if a deputy commissioner transferred possession of a person’s house, the affected individual had no right of appeal.
She also observed that the ordinance restricted the high court from granting a stay in such cases.
During the hearing, the Punjab chief secretary and other officials were present; however, the Punjab advocate general did not appear, with the court being informed that he was unwell. In response, the chief justice said she herself was ill and had been advised bed rest but was still presiding over court proceedings.
The court announced that a full bench would be constituted to hear the matter further and adjourned the proceedings.
Separately, a senior Punjab law officer told newsmen that the provincial government could challenge the LHC’s interim order before the Supreme Court under its appellate jurisdiction. He added that the government could also approach the Federal Constitutional Court, as the case involved a legal question.
The officer said the government might request the proposed full bench to review the stay order, though the chances of relief through that option appeared limited.
The ordinance, approved by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on October 31, requires land disputes to be resolved within 90 days. During an earlier hearing, Justice Neelum had also questioned the role of a newly established force under the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority in property matters, and remarked that patwaris and assistant commissioners seemed eager to act as judges, despite lacking jurisdiction over cases pending before superior courts.
