The Lahore High Court on Monday temporarily suspended the operation of the recently-enacted “Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025“ while hearing petitions challenging the law.

Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, presided over the hearing of petitions filed by Abida Parveen and other applicants.

The court recommended the formation of a full bench and ordered the immediate restoration of all properties taken under the ordinance.

During Monday’s hearing, the Punjab chief secretary appeared before the court, drawing strong criticism from the chief justice.

The chief justice warned that if the law remained in effect, even high-profile properties like Jati Umra (the Sharif family’s residence) could be vacated within half an hour.

The court questioned why the advocate-general of Punjab had not appeared. The court was told that he was unwell.

Expressing frustration, the chief justice noted that she, too, was unwell but was present in court.

Justice Neelum criticised the law for undermining citizens’ fundamental rights and the supremacy of the judiciary.

She questioned how a revenue officer could facilitate property takeovers in matters already pending in civil courts and asked what purpose the law truly served.

“The law allows a phone call to demand property surrender, and citizens have no protection under it,” the chief justice said.

Declaring the ordinance against civil rights, constitutional protections, and judicial authority, the court ordered a suspension of its enforcement until the next hearing.

The law, approved on October 31, 2025, called for the resolution of property disputes within 90 days.

Under the law, each district will have dispute resolution committees headed by deputy commissioners, including DPOs and other relevant officials.

Appeals against the committees’ decisions will be heard by a special tribunal led by a retired High Court judge, also mandated to deliver judgments within 90 days.

The committees are expected to become operational within 30 days to provide citizens with swift justice.