The Punjab government has agreed to amend the Property Ownership Act to restore judicial authority, marking a significant retreat after sustained legal pressure and growing resistance from courts and lawyers.
The decision follows a stay order issued by the Lahore High Court, which halted enforcement of the Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance after dozens of petitions challenged its legality and raised serious concerns over reduced judicial oversight.
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Under the proposed amendments, tribunals will now be headed by serving Additional Session Judges instead of retired judges, while civil judges will regain authority to assess and forward illegal possession cases to district committees.
Moreover, district committees will no longer directly decide pending property disputes, as civil judges must first determine whether applications under the Property Ownership Act qualify for referral, ensuring stronger judicial filtering and procedural balance.
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The amendments were drafted by a high-level legal committee led by Amjad Pervez, and include judicial review provisions, reflecting consultations with judges and bar bodies to ease institutional tensions.
Sources confirmed that final approval is expected soon, and once enacted, the changes are likely to resolve the standoff between the executive and judiciary while restoring confidence in property dispute adjudication mechanisms.