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LAHORE, Dec 22 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday suspended implementation on the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025, under which committees headed by deputy commissioners had been empowered to decide property disputes.
The court also suspended all decisions related to the dispossession of properties under the new law.
LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum passed the interim orders while hearing petitions filed by Abida Parveen and others, challenging decisions made under the ordinance regarding property ownership and possession.
During the hearing, the chief justice expressed serious reservations over the legislation and raised various questions.
The chief justice remarked that the ordinance undermined the civil justice system, citizens’ fundamental rights, and judicial supremacy, warning that unchecked authority could even lead to the suspension of the Constitution. She further noted that under the new law, if a deputy commissioner transferred possession of a house, the affected person had no right of appeal, and even the High Court had been denied the power to grant stay orders in such cases.
The Punjab chief secretary and other senior government officials were present in court, while the Punjab advocate general failed to appear. The court was informed that the advocate general was unable to attend due to illness. In response, the chief justice remarked that despite being unwell herself and advised bed rest, she was continuing to hear cases.
Later, the chief justice announced that a full bench would be constituted to hear the matter in detail, and the hearing was adjourned.