Lahore High Court Stops Implementation of Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance
Lahore: The Lahore High Court has barred the government from implementing the Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance. The decision came during hearings on petitions filed against the ordinance, including one by Abida Parveen and others.
Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, presided over the proceedings and ordered that all objections in the petitions be addressed and recommended the formation of a full bench. The court also reversed property allocations made under the ordinance.
In court, the Chief Secretary Punjab appeared following the judicial order. Justice Neelum remarked that if the law remains in effect, even prominent properties like Jati Umra could be affected within half an hour. She questioned why the Advocate General did not appear, to which the government lawyer replied that he was unwell. Justice Neelum responded, noting that despite being advised bed rest herself, she was present in court.
The Chief Justice criticized the ordinance for undermining civil rights and judicial supremacy, questioning how a Revenue Officer could allocate property while cases were pending in civil courts. She emphasized that the law seemed to grant excessive powers to some individuals, potentially overriding constitutional provisions.
Justice Neelum further highlighted flaws in the ordinance, pointing out that it allowed property allocations without appeal, restricted High Court intervention, and created the risk of fake registrations and documents.
