Suspension of property law aids land mafia, warns CM Maryam Nawaz

Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, voiced deep concern on suspension of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025.

She cautioned that this move would benefit encroachers and land-grabbing mafias.

The suspension of the newly enacted law was passed on Tuesday by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum. According to the legislation, the dispute resolution committees, headed by deputy commissioners can resolve land and property disputes within 90 days.

Maryam stated that the law was passed to bring relief to citizens facing prolonged land disputes that remain unresolved for years. She said that the 90-day timeframe was set to protect ordinary citizens from land mafias.

She further claimed that the Punjab Assembly had passed the legislation to free the public from exploitation by powerful groups and to protect their legally owned land and property. This law, according to her, covers both administrative and legal aspects to ensure justice.

The chief minister argued that the suspension of such a critical and comprehensive law was not in line with established judicial principles and would lead to the suffering of poor, widows and marginalised groups who had begun to see hope for justice.

CJ Neelum questioned the law’s intent during the hearing on Monday that how a revenue officer could hand over the possession of a property in a matter pending before a civil court.