Pakistan Bar Council slams Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) unanimously rejected and disapproved the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025, which empowers Deputy Commissioner-led committees to decide property disputes.

The Council, in its 247th meeting held on Saturday at the PBC’s office, was chaired by Vice-Chairman Nasrullah Warraich. The lawyers’ body unanimously passed the resolution against the Immovable Property Act, 2025, condemning the Punjab government for passing this Act.

According to the resolution, the Act is not only unconstitutional and unlawful but also in conflict with the provisions of Qanoon-e-Shahadat, Civil Procedure Code (CPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC), Evidence Act, Illegal Dispossession Act, and other relevant laws.

The Council commended and appreciated the Chief Justice Lahore High Court for passing a timely order that the newly enacted law has compromised established and settled legal parameters concerning property matters.

It noted that the Act has established a parallel jurisprudence whereby property disputes are to be resolved by Deputy Commissioners, District Police Officers, Revenue Officers, and other relevant government officials, rather than through judicial proceedings, which by no means is lawful.

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The Council was of the view that the new law dismantled the civil setup, civil rights, and judicial supremacy because a revenue officer handed over the possession of a property in a matter pending before a civil court, which appears that some people want to hold all powers, including judicial powers.

The Council condemned the onslaught by the Punjab government against the Chief Justice Lahore High Court for suspending this Act, and they expressed grave concerns over the conduct of the Punjab government and its Chief Executive, who appears to be surrounded by those aides protecting the interests of land mafia and land grabbers, and this Act was passed to protect them.

It emphasized that it is incumbent upon the judiciary to ensure that such unlawful practices are curbed and addressed appropriately, in the interest of justice, transparency, and equity, as reflected in the Lahore High Court order.

The resolution stated that the judiciary has the mandate/power to interpret any law, so the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court has rightly suspended the enactment, which undermines the powers of the judiciary.

The Council warned that the Punjab government should refrain from implementing the unlawful aspirations of land mafias, and demanded that the said Act be recalled immediately, and the Government of Punjab should apologize to the Lahore High Court for their insulting remarks and rude attitude. The Council reiterated that the legal fraternity stands by the Lahore High Court and will not allow anyone to compromise the integrity of the judiciary, and if need be, the lawyers’ community will be constrained to launch a movement.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025