Rawalpindi (Digital Post) Major crackdown against land mafia in Punjab

Rawalpindi (Digital Post) Major crackdown against land mafia in Punjab

The government has issued an (amendment) gazette notification —
and in simple words, understand this:
illegal land occupation has now become a far more dangerous and costly crime than before.

What major change has come?
Encroachment is now a strictly punishable offence. Illegal occupation can result in 5 to 10 years imprisonment, along with a possible fine of up to 10 million rupees. Occupation through forgery will also fall under the same category.

Meaning: it is not just physically occupying land — fake documents can also directly lead to jail.

Facilitators will not be spared
Now not only the occupier but also:
the helper, the patron, and the facilitator
can all be punished. This is an attempt to target the entire network of the land mafia.

Special committee in every district
A powerful committee will be formed in every district, which will include: Deputy Commissioner (DC), DPO, Assistant Commissioner, and DCR.

This committee will submit its report within 30 days of receiving a complaint.
In other words, an effort has been made to reduce years of delay in the name of paperwork.

Most important step
Additional Session Judges will be appointed as Property Tribunals. Cases will proceed on a daily basis, and the tribunal will be bound to give a decision within one month.

If a case is already pending in any court:
the applicant will request transfer from the same court.
However, this law will not apply to cases under hearing in the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and Lahore High Court.

Against the tribunal’s decision:
an appeal can be filed in the Lahore High Court within 30 days.