Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab has introduced major changes to its land and property laws, bringing more land transactions into the digital system while imposing tougher penalties for illegal occupation of property.
Under amendments to Punjab's land revenue law, e registration has been introduced for land transfers, while summons, notices and public announcements can also be issued through electronic or digital means. The law also provides formal procedures for land demarcation and the eviction of illegal occupants.
One of the most significant changes for property owners has been made under the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property law.
Illegal occupation of another person's immovable property can now result in five to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs10 million, or both.
Property possession complaints will no longer be decided through the earlier administrative committee mechanism. Instead, complaints will be filed before a tribunal involving serving judges, with serving Additional Sessions Judges eligible to perform this role.
The tribunal may refer a complaint to a Scrutiny Committee for examination. The committee includes officials from the district administration, police and revenue authorities.
Under the prescribed procedure, the tribunal is required to forward a complaint to the Scrutiny Committee within three days. The committee is required to submit its report within 30 days, after which the tribunal must proceed with the case within the specified timeframe.
The amendments also contain penalties for false complaints. A person found to have filed a false property complaint may face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs500,000.
Changes to the land revenue system are also intended to increase the use of digital records and procedures. Electronic notices, digital processes for mutations and e registration are among the measures introduced to reduce dependence on manual land administration. The role of patwaris in recording mutations has also been restricted mainly to inheritance related transfers.
These reforms were originally introduced through the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 and the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 in February. The amendments were subsequently taken up and passed by the Punjab Assembly and became Acts in May 2026.
The changes have direct implications for property owners, buyers and sellers across Punjab, particularly in matters involving property transfers, land records, boundary disputes and illegal possession.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has sealed 101 properties across different parts of the city during a major operation against unauthorized commercial use and non payment of commercial fees.
Acting on the directives of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, teams from the Town Planning Wing carried out operations in Gulberg, Faisal Town, Canal Road, Samanabad, Poonch Road and Allama Iqbal Town.
According to the LDA, 30 properties were sealed in Gulberg and Faisal Town for unauthorized commercial use, while another 51 properties were sealed in Samanabad and along Poonch Road over illegal commercial activities and non-payment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation, LDA teams sealed another 20 properties in Allama Iqbal Town.
The sealed properties included private schools, grocery stores, clinics, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, hardware stores, electrical stores, pharmacies, shops, showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad-uz-Zaman.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq said enforcement action against unauthorized commercial buildings and properties with outstanding commercial fees would continue without discrimination.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Ghani Global Holdings Limited has taken a significant step towards placing its real estate assets under a structured Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) framework after shareholders approved a proposed corporate restructuring scheme.
According to documents filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange, shareholders approved the Scheme of Compromise, Arrangement and Reconstruction at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on August 8, 2026. The scheme involves Ghani Global Holdings Limited, G3 REIT Management Limited, G3 Properties (Private) Limited and G3 Homes LLP.
Under the proposed arrangement, designated real estate assets held by G3 Homes LLP are intended to be transferred and vested in G3 Properties (Private) Limited, which has been designated as a Special Purpose Vehicle for the proposed REIT structure.
G3 Homes LLP is established to acquire, hold, develop, construct, manage, sell, lease and operate residential, commercial, industrial and mixed use real estate assets. Ghani Global says the entity will act as the transferor of designated real estate assets under the restructuring scheme.
The group had already established G3 REIT Management Limited as part of its expansion into the real estate investment sector. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan approved the establishment of the REIT management company in April 2026.
The latest restructuring therefore moves Ghani Global further towards bringing its property assets under a regulated and institutional REIT based investment structure rather than holding them solely through conventional corporate real estate arrangements.
The shareholder vote, however, does not mean that the restructuring has been fully completed. The scheme remains subject to approval by the Lahore High Court and other competent authorities before it can be implemented.
Ghani Global’s restructuring is significant for Pakistan’s property market because it reflects a broader shift from directly held corporate real estate towards regulated REIT based ownership and investment structures, potentially widening institutional participation in the sector.