The Punjab government has finalized preparations to launch special tribunals to deal with illegal land occupations, with proceedings scheduled to begin across the province from tomorrow.
According to official sources, the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) has issued a notification appointing judges to lead the newly established property tribunals. The department is supervising the implementation of the province’s anti-land-grabbing measures.
Alongside the tribunals, District Resolution Committees (DRCs) will also start operations from tomorrow. These committees will identify cases of illegal land occupation and submit recommendations for legal action.
The initiative is being introduced under the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property law. Special property tribunals have been set up in districts throughout Punjab to hear cases involving the illegal occupation of both private and government-owned land.
Read Also: Govt officially approves installment plan for PTA tax
The tribunals have the authority to order the recovery of occupied properties with police support. Those found guilty can face prison sentences ranging from three to ten years, along with heavy fines.
Officials said more than 575 pending land occupation and property dispute cases have already been transferred to the new tribunals after earlier stay orders were lifted.
The development is part of the provincial government’s wider campaign against illegal land grabbing.
Earlier this month, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab Board of Revenue reported the recovery of more than 25,000 kanals of state land worth around Rs433 billion from illegal occupants during the current fiscal year.
According to provincial authorities, the new tribunal system is designed to ensure faster justice for landowners, strengthen property rights, and help eliminate the long-standing issue of illegal land occupation across Punjab.