Property tribunals recently notified by the Punjab government under the new property ownership law are still not operational, as they lack both staff and designated premises to begin their work. This issue came to light during hearings at the Lahore High Court, raising questions about the practical implementation of the law.
Earlier this week, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum suspended the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025. The law allows deputy commissioner-led committees to decide property ownership disputes. Following the suspension, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz defended the ordinance, saying its suspension would benefit land-grabbing and encroachment mafias.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the chief justice observed that although the notification for establishing property tribunals was issued after a delay of nearly two and a half months, the tribunals were still non-functional. She noted that no staff had been posted and no premises had been allocated for the tribunals to conduct proceedings.
Under Section 11 of the ordinance, the Punjab government appointed Lahore High Court-nominated judicial officers as tribunal members. A notification from the Board of Revenue confirmed appointments in 36 out of 41 districts, with all members being retired district and sessions judges. In several areas, tribunals in neighbouring districts have been given temporary jurisdiction.
The Punjab government maintains that the tribunals aim to protect citizens from illegal occupation of property. It also claims prosecutors have been appointed and assistant commissioners given additional charge as registrars, though operational gaps remain.
