Key Points
- The Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 aims to end land grabbing and protect rightful ownership across the province.
- Land disputes will now be resolved within 90 days through specialised Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) in every district.
- A Special Tribunal will hear appeals, with verdicts also due within 90 days, ensuring swift justice.
- Encroached land will be reclaimed within 24 hours, with a dedicated Para Force to aid in recovery operations.
LAHORE: In a significant move to address the most pressing issues in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, the provincial government has approved the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 on Friday.
This decision aims to break the power of land mafias and ensure that rightful landowners regain control of their property across the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, during a meeting on public property rights, shared the announcement with confidence, declaring an end to the prolonged battles over land disputes in Punjab. With the new ordinance, a streamlined system will ensure that all land-related issues are resolved within a swift 90-day period.
CM Maryam puts end to land grabbing with the PunjabProtection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025. pic.twitter.com/wKx8cWROdE
— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 31, 2025
The Chief Minister emphasised that this transformative law will offer much-needed relief to landowners whose property rights have long been undermined by illegal encroachments and exploitation. In doing so, the ordinance marks a historic step in securing justice for those whose land has been unjustly taken, with the government now firmly on their side.
A Swift Justice System for Landowners
The core principle of the Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 is its commitment to fast-tracking land dispute resolutions. Under this system, every land possession dispute will be resolved within 90 days through a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC). These committees will be set up in each district across the province, with a six-member team consisting of the Deputy Commissioner (DC), the District Police Officer (DPO), and other relevant officials.
In her announcement, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasised the importance of this measure, saying, “No one will be allowed to seize anyone’s land in Punjab anymore. For a common person, a small piece of property is their entire world, and the mafia used to exploit that. The state, like a mother, will stand with the weak. Whoever owns the land has the right to it. We have permanently shut the chapter of land mafias.”
The establishment of DRCs is a ground-breaking move, as it provides an alternative to the traditional, often sluggish judicial process. Instead of lengthy legal battles, land disputes will now be handled directly by these specialised committees. Each case will be thoroughly examined, and a decision will be made within the specified 90-day period. This rapid response will prevent disputes from festering over long periods, ensuring that landowners can reclaim their property without undue delays.
Appeals and Special Tribunal Oversight
In cases where parties wish to challenge the decision of the DRC, the ordinance provides for a Special Tribunal to hear appeals. This tribunal will be led by a retired High Court judge and will also be bound to deliver its verdict within 90 days. This three-tiered justice system ensures swift and decisive action at every stage, minimizing the influence of land mafias and the risks of corruption.
Immediate Recovery of Encroached Land
Once a dispute is resolved and a ruling is made, the ordinance ensures that the land will be immediately reclaimed from illegal occupiers. According to the new system, encroached land will be recovered within 24 hours of a ruling. This provision aims to prevent any delays or further manipulation of the process, guaranteeing that the rightful landowner can regain possession without interference.
In an innovative step, the provincial government is also exploring the possibility of establishing a dedicated Para Force to aid in the recovery operations. This force would work with military precision to reclaim illegally occupied land, ensuring that the enforcement of property rights is carried out efficiently and without resistance.
Technological Transparency and Public Oversight
In an effort to ensure transparency and public trust, the government plans to introduce digital land records and provide live-streaming of the proceedings via social media. This will allow citizens to witness the proceedings in real time, fostering accountability and providing an added layer of scrutiny to the process. The introduction of these digital tools will also help streamline land ownership records and reduce the scope for manipulation or fraud.
The government’s initiative to digitize land records will modernise the management of property ownership in Punjab, moving away from outdated manual systems that have often been prone to errors and exploitation.
Closing the Chapter on Land Mafias
CM Maryam Nawaz was unequivocal in her message, declaring, “No one in the region can now dare to illegally occupy another person’s land. The state stands shoulder to shoulder with every weak and wronged citizen. Ownership belongs to its rightful holder. The chapter of land mafias is closed forever.”
The ordinance is being hailed as one of the most powerful property rights reforms in Punjab’s history. Experts and citizens alike are praising the move as a transformative step toward justice and empowerment. For years, land mafias have exploited legal loopholes, intimidating rightful landowners and disrupting the stability of many families. With this new system in place, the government aims to restore trust in the land ownership process and finally put an end to decades of land-related corruption and intimidation.
The Punjab government’s commitment to making these Dispute Resolution Committees functional within the next 30 days further demonstrates the urgency of addressing this long-standing issue. The bold measures introduced by the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 represent a comprehensive effort to ensure that property rights are protected, disputes are resolved quickly, and land grabbers are held accountable.
As the government moves forward with the implementation of this ordinance, the people of Punjab are hopeful that this will mark the beginning of a new era—one where justice is served swiftly, land ownership is protected, and the influence of illegal land mafias is permanently eradicated.
