Lahore High Court Orders Return of Property Possession

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered a citizen to return property possession, questioning actions by district-level committees under the Property Ownership Act. The matter arose from a petition filed by Muhammad Ali. The citizen who had obtained possession through a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) also appeared before the court. Chief Justice Alia Neelam directed that possession must be returned immediately, before any further legal discussion could take place.

During proceedings, the chief justice criticized the lawyer representing the citizen who took possession via the DRC. She asked, “How can you defend the wrong?” The lawyer admitted that committees formed under deputy commissioners (DCs) had exceeded their powers. Justice Neelam emphasized that possession must be restored first and questioned why action was not being taken against committee members. She noted that proper performance by the patwari could have prevented the dispute entirely.

The court also addressed broader concerns about justice delivery. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that delays in the system forced citizens to seek alternative measures. Justice Neelam cautioned against emotional arguments, warning lawyers not to make dramatic statements for headlines. She noted that even though landlords had allegedly occupied 40 acres in Deepalpur, the DRC committee had handed over possession within 27 days. She stressed that authority to pass possession orders lies elsewhere under the law.

Justice Neelam further clarified the limits of DC authority. One lawyer conceded that the DC’s decision was incorrect. The chief justice rejected any suggestion that the DC could reconsider the matter, stating that ownership decisions were not within their jurisdiction. She emphasized that legal authority for property decisions rests elsewhere and must be respected.

The court also heard petitions from 10 other citizens, including Muhammad Aslam, and referred all cases to a full bench for comprehensive review. The bench requested records related to the functioning and mandate of DRC committees. Justice Neelam warned that anyone taking possession after a court suspension order would face legal consequences, highlighting the importance of following proper legal procedures.

Read more : FBR Makes Declaring Market Value of Property Mandatory

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made it mandatory to declare the market value of property in tax returns. This decision comes just days before the deadline for filing income tax returns. The move is aimed at stopping people from showing lower property values to reduce their taxes.

FBR has updated the income tax return form on the online portal “IRIS.” Now, taxpayers will need to give yearly updates on their property’s market value. The last date for filing tax returns is September 30, and many people have already submitted their returns using the previous form.