Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the Property Ownership Ordinance has now become an Act, and all facts will be presented before the larger bench. The provincial assembly has passed the ordinance to protect citizens’ land rights.
She highlighted that over the years, land grabbers have illegally occupied properties belonging to widows, orphans, and families. Many lands have been taken using bogus documents, while people often struggled in courts for decades without justice. Threats and intimidation silenced citizens in the old system.
Read more: LHC suspends implementation of Punjab Property Ownership
Bukhari emphasized that the provincial assembly can make laws for public welfare. She added that the stay order would strengthen the land mafia, and the government will present all facts to the larger bench. The new law is designed to benefit ordinary citizens.
The minister clarified that she is not claiming past court decisions were wrong, but the government did not present its case properly. She said the old system allowed intimidation, but now such tactics cannot work, and technical issues require judicial guidance.
Read more: Punjab CM says LHC stay on land protection bill will ‘benefit’ grabbers
Bukhari concluded that the chief executive and assembly hold authority over provincial policy decisions. She stressed that with proper guidance, future policies can be formulated to protect public land and prevent illegal occupation.