Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Friday set aside the decisions of deputy commissioner-led committees. These had granted possession of the disputed properties in 10 districts of Punjab.
The chief justice passed the orders while hearing petitions challenging the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025. The law authorises committees headed by deputy commissioners to decide property possession disputes.
During proceedings, Justice Neelum observed that timely performance by revenue officials, commonly known as patwaris, could have prevented many of these disputes. She rejected the claim that civil litigation remains pending for excessive periods. She stated that she was fully aware of the actual backlog before the courts.
The chief justice ruled that commissioners and deputy commissioners lack the authority to remove or restore possession of property independently. She questioned the government’s repeated attempts to bypass established legal frameworks. Furthermore, she expressed concern that DCs had ordered possession transfers despite cases already pending before civil courts.
Read: LHC Suspends Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance 2025
A citizen from Depalpur, who had obtained possession under the disputed law, appeared before the court. Justice Neelum directed him to relinquish possession immediately. His counsel later admitted that the deputy commissioner-led committee had acted beyond its legal mandate.
The chief justice noted that this admission itself could justify proceedings against the committee members. She also dismissed arguments suggesting that citizens had no recourse outside such committees. Additionally, she cautioned lawyers against making sensational claims for media attention.
Justice Neelum clarified that the court was not examining ownership claims. Instead, the central issue concerned whether deputy commissioners had the legal authority to decide possession matters. She stressed that such powers rest with tribunals established by law, not with administrative officers.
The court suspended enforcement of all disputed possession orders and referred the petitions to a full bench. This full bench has yet to be constituted for detailed hearing.
The petitions were filed by Rana Saleem Latif, Muhammad Ali, and others against decisions made by dispute resolution committees in 10 districts. Earlier, on December 22, Justice Neelum had already suspended the operation of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025. This suspension is pending a full bench review.
