The Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 to protect property owners from land grabbers and ensure disputes are resolved quickly, rather than taking years in court.
A key change is the creation of specialized District Property Tribunals, led by serving Additional Sessions Judges, replacing the previous system of retired judges. These tribunals are designed to speed up cases, with a final decision required within 30 days. Hearings can only be delayed for a maximum of seven days at a time.
Before a case reaches the tribunal, a District Scrutiny Committee reviews the complaint. The committee is led by the Deputy Commissioner and senior police officers. The committee has 30 days to verify facts and help both sides reach a fair resolution. To prevent misuse, anyone filing a false or nuisance complaint may face up to five years in prison and a heavy fine.
The law also imposes strict penalties on illegal occupants. Those found guilty of land grabbing through force or fraud can face up to 10 years in prison and fines of Rs10 million, with bail only granted by the Lahore High Court.
The Lahore High Court, headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, along with Justice Jawad Zafar and Justice Abher Gul Khan, recently reviewed the changes. Advocate General Punjab Amjad Pervaiz confirmed that the new law addresses earlier concerns by restoring judicial authority and introducing a biometric system to prevent identity fraud. The court has now cleared the way for the tribunals to begin work immediately.
