Judiciary Under Attack? Lahore High Court Freezes Punjab Property Law Amid Govt Pressure

The confrontation between the Lahore High Court and the Punjab government has intensified after the court suspended the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025, raising serious constitutional, legal, and political questions.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Alia Neelum openly questioned how citizens were being dispossessed of their properties without written orders, relying only on alleged verbal instructions. The court observed that the tribunals created under the ordinance were not functional, lacked staff, had no clear offices, and were notified months after enforcement — yet actions were already being taken against property owners.

As the Lahore High Court ordered that all petitions against the law be placed before a full bench, the matter quickly escalated from a legal issue into a broader institutional conflict.

Following the suspension of the ordinance, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s reaction triggered strong backlash from the legal community. The Pakistan Bar Council and Punjab Bar Council welcomed the court’s decision and warned that the ordinance weakened judicial authority, civil courts, and citizens’ fundamental rights.

What made this situation unprecedented was the response from government-aligned lawyers themselves. Pakistan Bar Council member Ahsan Bhoon, considered close to the ruling setup, demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw her statement, stating that those who drafted the law had misguided the government. He warned that continued interference in judicial matters could force lawyers to take to the streets.

According to court records, at least 56 citizens filed petitions against the ordinance, narrating cases of alleged forced possession, misuse of authority by revenue officials, and denial of due legal process. These petitions turned the ordinance into a people’s rights issue, not merely a political debate.

Meanwhile, speculation has grown over whether the Punjab government could attempt to influence the transfer of the Lahore High Court Chief Justice through federal channels. Constitutional experts argue that such a move is not possible without the approval of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, making the upcoming January Judicial Commission meeting critically important.

This legal battle gains further significance in the context of PTI-related cases, election tribunals, and accountability matters currently being handled by Punjab’s courts. Analysts believe that the outcome of this dispute could shape the future balance of power between the judiciary and the executive in Punjab.

At the same time, a social media campaign targeting Chief Justice Alia Neelum has emerged, prompting strong unity within the legal fraternity — including support from traditionally pro-government lawyer groups — in defense of judicial independence.

Is this a routine constitutional disagreement — or the beginning of a deeper struggle over judicial autonomy, political control, and citizens’ property rights in Punjab?

Watch the full video for a complete analysis.
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