Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed strong concerns on Tuesday over the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) suspension of the Protection of Immovable Property Act, 2025, arguing the move would benefit land-grabbing syndicates.
The CM’s statement from her office followed LHC Justice Aalia Neelum’s interim order halting the new law, which empowers deputy commissioner-led committees to resolve property disputes within 90 days. Approved by Maryam on October 31, the act aims to deliver “long-overdue relief” to millions facing prolonged land conflicts.
Maryam hailed it as a “major breakthrough,” imposing a 90-day resolution deadline on cases that drag on for years or generations. She stressed the democratically passed law shields ordinary citizens from powerful land mafias, providing evidence-based administrative and legal remedies for the oppressed.
The CM contended the suspension defies superior judiciary principles, effectively backing encroachers and leaving rightful owners without justice amid decades-long stay orders. “This isn’t for my personal gain—its real victims are the poor, widows, and vulnerable who just started seeing hope,” she said, insisting provincial assemblies hold constitutional legislative authority.
During Monday’s hearing, Justice Neelum criticized the law for centralizing powers, disrupting civil courts, and questioning how revenue officers could override judicial possession. “Some seem intent on monopolizing all authority—even suspending the Constitution,” she remarked.
