The Lahore High Court chief justice on Friday set aside decisions issued by deputy commissioner led committees that granted possession of properties in land dispute cases across 10 districts of Punjab.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum passed the order while hearing petitions challenging actions taken under the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025, which authorizes deputy commissioner led committees to decide property disputes.
During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that if revenue officials had performed their duties properly, such disputes would not have arisen. She also rejected the suggestion that civil litigation remained pending for excessively long periods, stating that she was fully aware of the status of old cases.
The court noted that deputy commissioners had ordered the transfer of possession in cases that were already pending before civil courts. A citizen from Depalpur, who had obtained possession under the new law, appeared before the court. The chief justice ordered him to relinquish possession.
The citizen’s lawyer conceded that the deputy commissioner led committee had acted beyond its authority. Following this admission, the chief justice observed that action could be initiated against committee members.
The chief justice suspended enforcement of the possession orders issued by the dispute resolution committees and referred the petitions to a full bench, which is yet to be constituted, for further proceedings.
The petitions were filed by Rana Saleem Latif, Muhammad Ali, and others against committee decisions in 10 districts.
Earlier, on December 22, the chief justice had suspended the operation of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 and announced the formation of a full bench to hear the matter.