Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has issued the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance and the Immovable Property Ownership Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, aiming to modernize land administration and strengthen property rights. The Punjab Land Revenue Amendment introduces digital systems and innovative methods to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in land management. 

It includes procedures for transfer of possession, profit-based land allocation, and reforms in appeals and review processes. Summons, notices, and public announcements will now be issued electronically.  The ordinance establishes legal procedures for land demarcation and eviction of illegal occupants, and e-registration will be used for all land transfers. 

Patwaris will only retain authority over inheritance-related transfers. Additionally, only the Board of Revenue will have the authority to remit cases to lower courts.  The Immovable Property Ownership Protection Amendment replaces the previous Dispute Resolution Committee with a Scrutiny Committee, which now includes DCs, DPOs, ACs, SDPOs, Circle Revenue Officers, and police station in-charges. Illegal possession will carry 5–10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to 10 million PKR, or both. 

False complaints may result in a 5-year sentence and a 500,000 PKR fine.  Complaints will now be filed before a tribunal of serving judges rather than the previous committee.  The tribunal must forward complaints to the Scrutiny Committee within 3 days, and the committee will submit its report within 30 days.  The tribunal must issue a decision within 30 days, and can now hear linked offenses in a single case. Protective measures will be executed by the tribunal rather than the deputy commissioner. 

Following the issuance of the ordinance, additional session judges in service will be members of the tribunal, replacing the previous practice of retired high court and session judges.  These amendments come after the Lahore High Court had suspended the enforcement of the Property Ownership Protection Act, prompting the government to revise the law. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)