LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore High Court (LHC) has clarified an important legal principle governing landlord and tenant disputes, ruling that a person who enters a property as a tenant remains a tenant until lawful possession of the premises is returned to the owner. The court held that a tenant cannot continue occupying a property by relying on the ownership claim of a third party unless that claim is legally established through credible evidence. The ruling came in a case involving shop tenant Nahal Din, whose eviction had previously been ordered by the lower courts. The High Court upheld the eviction order and also dismissed an ownership objection petition filed by Bilqis Begum, who had claimed ownership rights over the disputed property. Justice Muzammal Akhtar Shabbir, in a detailed written judgment, observed that Bilqis Begum had failed to produce sufficient documentary or legal evidence to substantiate her ownership claim. The court concluded that the objections raised did not establish any lawful basis to interfere with the eviction proceedings. The judgment further noted that the disputed shop had already been excluded from an earlier eviction order, and the subsequent petition appeared to have been filed primarily to shield the tenant from eviction rather than to protect any legitimate ownership rights. After reviewing the record, the High Court found no legal, procedural or jurisdictional defects in the decisions of the subordinate courts. It ruled that the lower courts had acted within the framework of the law and that there were no grounds to overturn their findings. Consequently, the Lahore High Court dismissed the appeal and allowed the eviction order against tenant Nahal Din to remain in force. Legal experts say the judgment reinforces the principle that tenancy rights continue only within the framework of the landlord-tenant relationship and cannot be converted into ownership or indefinite possession through unsupported third-party claims. The decision is expected to serve as an important judicial reference in future tenancy and property disputes across Pakistan.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain | ReNews Pakistan The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has secured financial relief amounting to Rs 64.1 million for citizens by taking effective action on complaints lodged against the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). According to a spokesman for the Ombudsman Punjab, the office received 38 complaints of various nature against WASA authorities. Following thorough investigations, orders were issued in accordance with the law, leading to the resolution of the grievances. The complaints primarily related to the correction of water bills, installation and restoration of water connections, and installation of water meters. The spokesman said the Ombudsman Punjab's timely intervention and effective directives ensured Rs 64.1 million Rs 64.1 million to citizens. The complainants expressed their gratitude to the Ombudsman Punjab for the prompt redressal of their grievances, transparent handling of their cases, and the provision of effective administrative justice. They also reaffirmed their confidence in the institution for safeguarding citizens' rights through swift and impartial complaint resolution.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has sealed a total of 79 properties during a major operation against illegal commercial activities and the non payment of commercialisation fees across different parts of the city. According to an LDA spokesperson, the operation was launched by the Town Planning Wing on the instructions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and was supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad uz Zaman. LDA teams carried out enforcement action in Gulberg, Model Town, Canal Road, Gulshan e Ravi, Poonch Road and Mustafa Town, targeting properties found to be operating in violation of planning and commercialisation regulations. Officials said 30 properties were sealed in Gulberg and Model Town for unauthorised commercial use. Another 38 properties were sealed along Canal Road, in Gulshan e Ravi and on Poonch Road over illegal commercial activity and the non-payment of commercial fees. During a separate recovery operation in Mustafa Town, LDA teams sealed an additional 11 properties. The sealed premises included private schools, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, pharmacies, shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said enforcement action against illegal commercial use, building control violations and commercial fee defaulters would continue without discrimination to ensure effective implementation of urban planning regulations across Lahore.