Punjab Approves Property Protection Ordinance 2025; Land Dispute Cases to Be Resolved Within 90 Days

Lahore: In a major step to protect citizens’ property rights, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting approving the **Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025**.

Under the new ordinance, cases involving land or property disputes in the province will no longer drag on for years in courts. Instead, they will be resolved within **90 days**, ensuring speedy justice for property owners. The Chief Minister described the initiative as part of her vision to provide **justice at the doorstep** of the people.

### Key Features of the Ordinance:

* **Dispute Resolution Committees:** Each district in Punjab will have committees to resolve property disputes **before they reach the courts**.
* **Appeals:** Decisions by these committees can be appealed in a special tribunal headed by a retired High Court judge, with appeals also required to be resolved **within 90 days**.
* **Committee Composition:** A six-member district committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, with the DPO and other relevant officials as members. Committees are expected to be operational **within 30 days**.
* **Rapid Enforcement:** Once a decision is made, the land will be returned from the hands of the “possession mafia” **within 24 hours**, with paramilitary assistance if necessary.
* **Transparency Measures:** Digital recording of proceedings and live streaming on social media have been proposed to ensure transparency.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, “No one in Punjab will be able to snatch someone else’s land. The state, like a mother, stands with the weak. The property belongs to the rightful owner, and the era of the possession mafia is over. For a common citizen, even a small property is their entire world, and the government has now ensured its protection.”