Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that successors cannot revive stale and time barred claims if the original owner failed to challenge a property mutation during his lifetime, reinforcing the importance of limitation laws and legal certainty in property matters.
The judgment was delivered in a petition filed by Jan Muhammad, who sought to challenge the mutation of inherited agricultural land after an extraordinary lapse of nearly eight decades. The court categorically held that such an inordinate delay is wholly inexcusable and cannot be condoned under the guise of inheritance rights.
While acknowledging that inheritance rights may, in certain circumstances, be recurring in nature, the court emphasized that this principle is not absolute. It remains subject to equitable considerations, including delay, acquiescence, and the overall conduct of the parties.
The court observed that, based on both oral and documentary evidence, the rule of inheritance at the relevant time was governed by custom. It noted that prior to 1948, individuals acquiring agricultural land became its absolute owners under customary law. Following the enforcement of the Punjab Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1948, and subsequently Section 2-A of the West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1962, such ownership rights were further recognized and protected.
In its ruling, the LHC found that the petitioners failed to establish any jurisdictional defect, illegality, or material irregularity in the impugned judgment and decree that would warrant interference under the court’s revisional jurisdiction.
The court also underscored that long-standing entries in the revenue record, particularly those in favor of the respondents, are protected under Section 52 of the West Pakistan Land Revenue Act, 1967. It held that once the prescribed limitation period expires, a vested right accrues in favor of the opposite party.
Highlighting another critical aspect, the court noted that numerous mutations and subsequent transfers had taken place on the basis of the contested mutation, thereby creating valuable rights in favor of third parties, including bona fide purchasers. It warned that disturbing such settled entries after several decades would lead to uncertainty, instability, and chaos in property relations.
The court reaffirmed that longstanding revenue entries carry a presumption of correctness, which strengthens over time. It further observed that the appellate court had conducted a comprehensive and judicious appraisal of the evidence, producing well reasoned findings firmly anchored in law.
Finding no misreading or non-reading of evidence, and no indication of perversity or arbitrariness, the LHC concluded that the appellate court had committed no illegality in issuing the impugned judgment and decree, thereby dismissing the petition.

Kasur: [Sadaf Arshad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan]
Deputy Commissioner Kasur Muhammad Asif Raza, along with senior district officials, conducted an emergency visit to Talwar Post to review preparedness for a potential flood situation.
During the visit, a detailed inspection was carried out of protective arrangements and overall readiness measures. The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert and ensure complete preparedness to deal with any possible emergency situation.
He stated that the protection of citizens’ lives and property is the top priority of the administration, and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.
A number of senior officials accompanied the visit, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Assistant Commissioner Kasur, Tehsildar Kasur, District Council officials, Irrigation and Highways representatives, Forest Department officials, Rescue 1122, Rangers, and Health and Education officers.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed transport authorities to ensure immediate availability of evacuation vehicles for emergency relocation if required. Irrigation and Highways departments were directed to continuously monitor water flow and protective embankments to identify any potential risk at an early stage.
All relevant departments were also instructed to ensure availability of machinery, resources, and rescue equipment for emergency operations at all times. Rescue teams and Rangers were directed to remain fully alert for immediate response in case of any incident.
The District Information Office was directed to run an effective public awareness campaign to keep citizens informed about safety measures and flood related updates.
The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that safeguarding human lives and property remains the foremost priority of the district administration, and no lapse in preparedness will be accepted.

Kot Radha Kishan: [Sadaf Arshad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan]
On the Kot Radha Kishan main road, increasing traffic pressure and high speed movement of industrial vehicles have led residents to demand immediate expansion of the road into a dual carriageway. Citizens say the existing single road is no longer sufficient to handle the growing traffic load, resulting in frequent accidents.
According to locals, the continuous flow of heavy vehicles and lack of proper road width and traffic control have made the route highly dangerous. Residents have termed the situation a serious threat to human life.
The affected public has appealed to the concerned authorities to prioritize the widening of the road and implement necessary safety measures to reduce accidents and ensure protection of lives and property.