Overview
- The Punjab government approved the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 to counter land grabbing and unlawful possession.
- All private land possession disputes must first go to new six-member Dispute Resolution Committees in each district, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner with the District Police Officer among members, which must decide cases within 90 days.
- Appeals will be heard by a Special Tribunal headed by a retired High Court judge that is also bound to deliver decisions within 90 days.
- Authorities set a 30-day target to make the committees operational and directed that encroached land be reclaimed within 24 hours of a ruling.
- Officials are considering using the Para Force for recoveries and adopting digital records with live-streamed proceedings, as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif framed the move as protection for small property owners.