Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the suspension of the Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance by the Lahore High Court (LHC), warning that the interim order could benefit land grabbers and harm ordinary citizens.
On Monday, the LHC restrained the enforcement of the Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance and ordered the return of all possessions that had been transferred under the law. The court’s decision has raised fears that property disputes may again face prolonged delays.
In a statement, the Chief Minister highlighted that the ordinance was introduced to provide swift justice to people stuck in land and property disputes for years. “For the first time, a limit of 90 days was set to decide land and property cases,” she said, noting that the law offered immediate relief to millions of affected citizens.
Maryam Nawaz added that the legislation was passed by the provincial assembly to protect the public from the land mafia and empower citizens to safeguard their legally owned land and property. She emphasized that the law was evidence-based and covered all administrative and legal aspects.
The Chief Minister warned that suspending the Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance would favor land grabbers while harming the public, particularly the poor and vulnerable. She said the public might perceive the decision as support for the land and qabza mafia.
She further stated that property-related cases often remain stuck for decades due to prolonged stay orders, and that the ordinance was not enacted for her personal benefit. “Law-making is the constitutional right of the provincial assembly, and it cannot be stopped from legislation,” she added.
Earlier, Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum of the LHC issued a two-page interim order barring the implementation of the Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance. The Chief Justice questioned the law’s objectives and raised concerns about powers potentially being misused if the ordinance remained in effect.
Maryam Nawaz concluded that suspending the law risks extinguishing the last hope for justice among vulnerable citizens and urged the judiciary to reconsider its decision.
In other news read more about: LHC Suspends Punjab’s Property Ownership Ordinance
