LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reacted to a court order suspending a recently enacted law on land disputes, stating that the order is not in accordance with the principles laid down by the higher judiciary.
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday issued an interim order staying the implementation of the Punjab Immovable Property Protection Ordinance, 2025. The LHC also stayed decisions taken under the new legislation to remove possession of properties.
It ordered the restitution of possession in cases where seizures had been made under the ordinance and ordered the enumeration of petitions filed against the law before the full court.
Reacting to the order, the CM said in a statement that the law was enacted to provide relief to millions of people in Punjab who have been suffering for decades. The legislation, he said, was passed by the democratically elected Provincial Assembly to free the public from the clutches of powerful agrarian mafias.
He stressed that legislation is a constitutional right of the provincial assembly and cannot be obstructed. “The suspension of the law will benefit the usurping mafias and the public will perceive it as support for land grabbers,” he said.
According to the CM, for the first time, a period of 90 days has been fixed for cases of alienation of land and property that last for years and even generations.
Maryam said the law provides comprehensive protection to the downtrodden by covering all administrative and legal aspects, adding that stay orders in land cases often remain in force for decades.
The Prime Minister clarified that the law was not enacted for her personal benefit, nor has its suspension caused her any personal loss. “The suspension of the law will adversely affect the poor, the needy, the helpless, the widows and the downtrodden whose grievances were being addressed.”
The CM stated that the court order has resulted in serious harm to people who have been victims of usurpation and land mafias. “Without justice, the hope that the poor and oppressed finally began to cling to will be shattered,” he added.
The Punjab Immovable Property Protection Ordinance, 2025 was notified on October 30 with the stated objective of providing a strong shield to citizens against real estate fraud and illegal transfers.
The ordinance introduced a two-tier system for the quick resolution of property disputes. A Dispute Resolution Committee (CDR) was created in each district, chaired by a deputy commissioner and comprising senior administrative and police officials.
The committee had powers equivalent to those of a civil court, allowing it to subpoena people, examine records, and take administrative action to protect legal property.
It was to resolve the complaints within a period of 90 days, extendable once for another 90 days with the approval of the divisional commissioner. If the DRC failed to reach an amicable agreement, the matter was to be referred to a newly created Property Court established in each district.
Each court, which would be headed by a former LHC judge or a district judge, had exclusive jurisdiction to try all crimes and title disputes, and functioned as a civil and sessions court.
It was required to carry out the proceedings on a daily basis and conclude the trial within 90 days of receipt, ensuring faster justice for the rightful owners.
When Information Minister Azma Bukhari was asked if the government was considering moving to higher courts (the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court) against the order, he said several options were being considered. However, he did not reveal which option the government would likely pursue.
Senior advocate Azhar Siddique said he plans to file a contempt of court petition against the Punjab chief minister. He said he would seek the transcript of the prime minister’s statement in PEMRA before presenting the case in court. According to him, the Prime Minister’s position clearly amounts to contempt of court. He added that the move was an attempt to revive the executive judiciary by giving judicial powers to deputy commissioners.
