To restore judicial authority, the Punjab government has agreed to alter the Property Ownership Act.

The Punjab administration has taken a step back in response to growing legal challenges by agreeing to alter the Property Ownership Act to restore judicial authority.

Highly credible sources claim that the proposed modifications would allow civil judges to refer matters pertaining to unlawful possession to district committees and replace retired session judges on tribunals with active Additional Session Judges. On pending cases, the committees will no longer make decisions directly.

Following the filing of numerous applications against the Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance, the Lahore High Court placed a stay on the statute. The Punjab government responded by establishing a high-level legal committee to handle lawyer and judicial complaints and draft revisions in compliance with the legislation.

In accordance with the proposed modifications, civil judges will determine whether a Property Ownership Act application should be forwarded to a district committee. Petitioners’ claims of illegal possession in previously filed cases can now only be brought to the committee via the civil judge, not directly.

A component that was absent from the original law is that parties may still appeal tribunal interim orders to the High Court. Additionally, the modifications specify that tribunals will be presided over by serving Additional Session Judges rather than retired judges.

The government’s willingness to make concessions is demonstrated by the inclusion of judicial review in the draft by the legal committee, which was headed by Advocate General Punjab Amjad Pervez and included the Secretary Law Punjab and other specialists.

According to sources, the judiciary and legal associations are contributing to the finalization of the new modifications, which, if accepted by all sides, should ease the current conflicts between the government and the courts.