Serving judges to preside over property tribunals

.

LAHORE:

The provincial government has issued the gazette notification of the Punjab Ownership of Property (Amendment) Ordinance, declaring illegal occupation of property a punishable offence and extending penalties to facilitators in such acts.

According to the ordinance, Punjab Property Tribunals will be established in each district, comprising serving additional sessions judges instead of retired judges. The amendment has been promulgated by Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan.

Under the new law, individuals involved in illegal occupation or forgery of property documents may face five to 10 years' imprisonment along with a fine of Rs10 million. A district-level committees comprising the deputy commissioner (DC), district police officer (DPO), assistant commissioner (AC), district collector revenue (DCR) and other officials will be formed to address property possession cases. The committee will submit its report to the tribunal within 30 days of receiving a complaint.

In case of mutual settlement between the parties, the committee will forward its report to the tribunal for an appropriate decision.

During proceedings, the tribunal may issue interim orders regarding regulation of the property.