Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the Lahore High Court’s suspension of the land protection law, 2025, warning that the decision would benefit encroachment and land-grabbing mafias.
Read More: Punjab approves ordinance to end land grabbing disputes within 90 days
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Maryam said the interim order undermined a law designed to provide long-awaited relief to citizens trapped in prolonged land and property disputes.
The Lahore High Court suspended the operation of the law a day earlier after a challenge was filed against it. The legislation empowers dispute resolution committees, headed by deputy commissioners, to resolve property disputes within a fixed timeframe.
لاہور ہائی کورٹ کی چیف جسٹس عالیہ نیلم نے پنجاب پراپرٹی اونرشپ آرڈیننس 2025 پر سماعت کے دوران کہا کہ اس قانون کے غلط استعمال سے “جاتی امرا بھی آدھے گھنٹے میں خالی ہو سکتا ہے”۔ عدالت نے آرڈیننس معطل کر کے فل بنچ تشکیل دیا۔ حکومت کا مقصد قبضہ مافیا کے خلاف فوری ریلیف دینا تھا، جبکہ… pic.twitter.com/jHKSAuEFhI
— Samina Kauser Swl (@Skpmln) December 23, 2025
Approved on October 31, the law mandates that land and property cases be decided within 90 days, addressing delays that often stretch for years or even generations, according to the chief minister.
Maryam described the act as a major step towards protecting ordinary citizens from influential land grabbers. She said the democratically elected Punjab Assembly passed the law to free the public from the grip of powerful encroachment mafias.
She maintained that the legislation was evidence-based and comprehensive, covering both administrative and legal aspects to ensure justice for victims of illegal occupation and prolonged litigation.
#اونرشپ_آرڈیننس_پر_عدالتی_وار
Why oppose the Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance?
Because it was a people-centric reform, not an arbitrary exercise.
The ordinance introduced a clear, time-bound mechanism through revenue authorities to resolve property ownership disputes that… pic.twitter.com/LygZlTEmtZ— Iram (Summan) Dar ♌ (@summandar01) December 22, 2025
The chief minister argued that suspending the law contradicted settled principles laid down by the superior judiciary. She warned that the move would be seen by the public as state patronage of land-grabbing elements.
Maryam said stay orders in land cases often halt proceedings for decades, depriving rightful owners of justice. She stressed that the suspension would hurt poor citizens, widows and other marginalised groups who had begun to see hope for timely relief.
“This law was not made for my personal benefit,” she said, adding that its suspension would harm vulnerable sections of society rather than the government.
Read More: Punjab govt readies law to take on land–property mafia
During the hearing, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum raised concerns over the law, observing that it weakened civil courts and judicial authority. She questioned how revenue officers could decide possession matters already pending before civil courts.