During the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025, Justice Faisal Zaman Khan of the Lahore High Court raised concerns over the political angle of the case.
The court directed that the petition be listed before the relevant bench after the upcoming holidays. Justice Faisal Zaman Khan remarked that despite extensive online trolling, the matter had been brought before the court and questioned whether it was necessary to politicize it.
Addressing petitioner’s lawyer Azhar Siddique, the judge asked why two PTI MPAs involved in the petition had not raised objections to the Act in the assembly, yet a legal petition had been filed. The court also noted that the petition had been publicly shared on Facebook, cautioning against turning the matter into a political issue, emphasizing that the case concerns the property rights of ordinary citizens.
The judge further suggested that the petitioner should consider withdrawing the petition, stating that a filing on behalf of genuinely affected individuals would have been understandable, but this petition appeared otherwise.
The petition argued that by granting administrative authorities powers over property, the Act violated the Constitution. It also highlighted that parties could not be represented by lawyers before the Dispute Resolution Committee.
PTI members contended that removing the jurisdiction of civil courts conflicts with the Constitution, and combining executive and judicial powers undermines judicial independence. The petition sought to declare the Punjab Protection Ownership Act and related actions null and void.
