A major change is the creation of specialized district courts, headed by Additional Sessions Judges, to replace the previous system of retired judges. These tribunals are intended to expedite cases, requiring a final decision within 30 days. Hearings can be postponed for up to seven days at a time.
Before a case reaches the tribunal, a district committee reviews the complaint. The committee is headed by the deputy commissioner and senior police officers. The commission has 30 days to verify the facts and help both sides reach a fair resolution. To prevent abuse, anyone who files a false or nuisance complaint can expect a prison sentence of up to five years and a heavy fine.
The law also imposes strict penalties on illegal residents. Those found guilty of land grabbing by force or fraud could face a jail term of up to 10 years and fines of Rs10 million, with bail granted only by the Lahore High Court.
The Lahore High Court, headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, along with Justices Jawad Zafar and Justice Abher Gul Khan, recently reviewed the changes. Solicitor General Punjab Amjad Pervaiz confirmed that the new law addresses previous concerns by restoring judicial authority and introducing a biometric system to prevent identity fraud. The court has now cleared the way for the tribunals to begin their work immediately.
#Strengthen #safeguards #property #theft #S2S #BLOG