LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore High Court has ruled that all property-related cases involving overseas Pakistanis will be heard by special courts, expanding the scope of these forums beyond disputes limited to possession and ownership. In a significant judgment, the court set aside objections previously raised by special courts over hearing such matters and clarified that their jurisdiction extends to all cases linked to the property of overseas Pakistanis. According to the ruling, special courts are not restricted to deciding cases involving possession or title alone. The court observed that matters related to inheritance, mutation, power of attorney, and both movable and immovable property also fall within the jurisdiction of special courts established to protect the rights of overseas Pakistanis. The court stated that the purpose of the Overseas Property Act is to safeguard the properties of overseas Pakistanis, and all cases covered under the law must be heard by the dedicated special courts. The judgment further noted that both civil courts and special courts had wrongly interpreted the law by transferring only limited categories of overseas property disputes. This, the court said, had created unnecessary confusion and delays for litigants. The high court observed that such cases should not become a “legal ping-pong” between civil courts and special courts because of flawed interpretation of the law. The court also ruled that if even one of the parties in a dispute is an overseas Pakistani, the case will fall within the jurisdiction of the special court. It further clarified that cases transferred from civil courts will continue from the same stage rather than being filed afresh, ensuring that overseas Pakistanis do not have to restart legal proceedings. The Lahore High Court also made it clear that overseas Pakistanis will not be required to refile their cases, as special courts are independent and dedicated forums meant to decide their property disputes. The court directed all district and sessions judges to ensure implementation of the ruling and ordered the registrar to send copies of the judgment to all district and sessions judges for compliance.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that women are legally eligible to be appointed as permanent lumberdars in Punjab, setting aside executive orders issued by the Punjab government and declaring that gender alone cannot be used to deny a qualified woman the position. In a detailed seven page judgment authored by Justice Raheel Kamran, the court allowed a petition filed by a woman from Lodhran who had challenged the appointment of another candidate as permanent lumberdar by the deputy commissioner and the Board of Revenue. The court observed that the Constitution guarantees equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life, adding that no legal provision exists that disqualifies women from serving as lumberdars. “This Court cannot remain oblivious to the contemporary constitutional ethos of equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life. No provision of law has been shown which disentitles a woman from holding the office of Lumberdar,” the judgment stated. The petitioner’s father had previously served as the permanent lumberdar of the same village until his death. Following his passing, the petitioner had continued performing administrative responsibilities and was appointed as Sarbarah Lumberdar in 2002. According to the court order, the woman had extensive experience in village administration and revenue affairs, making her fully competent for the permanent appointment. “The record shows that she had been functioning as Sarbarah Lumberdar since 2002 and had been assisting the deceased incumbent in discharge of official duties,” the judgment noted. The court further observed that the office of lumberdar is not merely ceremonial but requires practical understanding of revenue procedures, coordination with government officials, local familiarity and public accessibility. Justice Raheel Kamran stated that where a female candidate fulfills all relevant legal and administrative criteria, her application must receive the same objective consideration as that of a male candidate. The judgment emphasized that rural governance and revenue administration can benefit significantly from the participation of capable women in institutional roles that have historically remained male dominated. “Such participation advances constitutional values of equal opportunity and strengthens public confidence in impartial administration,” the court said. The LHC also warned against any direct or indirect bias that undermines women’s candidatures on grounds unrelated to merit, declaring that such discrimination cannot be justified under the law. The ruling is being viewed as an important development for women’s representation in local governance and administrative structures across Punjab, particularly in rural areas where the office of lumberdar traditionally carries social influence and administrative responsibilities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Government of Punjab has launched a comprehensive revision of property valuation rates in a strategic effort to attract investment from Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to revive momentum in the province’s real estate sector. According to official sources, the initiative is designed to reduce the gap between government-declared property values and prevailing market prices. Authorities believe this disparity has long discouraged investment, increased transaction friction, and created tax burdens that particularly affect overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors. The proposed changes were discussed during high-level meetings between Punjab government officials and representatives of the UAE business community. During these discussions, both sides reportedly emphasised the need for a more transparent and predictable valuation system to restore investor confidence and stimulate cross border real estate activity. Officials said the revised valuation framework will initially focus on major urban centres and key investment corridors, where property transactions have slowed in recent years due to rising taxes, regulatory complexities, and widening differences between official and market-based valuations. In addition to revising property rates, the provincial government is also considering broader reforms aimed at simplifying property transactions. These measures include reducing procedural bottlenecks, improving documentation systems, and creating a more streamlined environment for overseas buyers. The real estate sector in Pakistan has been under pressure due to a combination of factors, including increased taxation, higher construction costs, and declining purchasing power among domestic buyers. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly urged authorities to rationalise property valuations in order to revive demand and attract fresh capital inflows. The finalised valuation structure is expected to be announced after consultations with relevant government departments and key market stakeholders. Officials hope the reforms will not only stabilise the real estate market but also position Punjab as a more competitive destination for Gulf-based investment.