Lahore: The Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act against land grabbing has been rendered functional. Chief Justice (CJ) Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Aalia Neelum has appointed Additional Sessions Judges as heads of tribunals in 36 districts in Punjab and sent the list to Punjab government.

Stay orders in 575 cases have been withdrawn and all the cases have been transferred to tribunals.

Chief Justice (CJ) Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Aalia Neelum has nominated 36 Additional Sessions Judges as heads of tribunals under Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act

The committees led by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have worked out recommendations against illegal occupation of land and property and sent them to tribunals.

The tribunals have been authorized to order the recovery of occupied properties

Those found guilty may face prison sentences ranging from three to ten years along with fines worth millions of rupees.

If any case is pending hearing in any court then either party can seek its transfer to committee led by deputy commissioner by filing application. However court decision will be the final decision.

Earlier Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum had issued stay order on alleged misuse of The Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act.

Later Punjab government made amendment in the law and all the stay orders pending before LHC were vacated following the introduction of the amendment.