[ReNews Pakistan] Lahore: Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has formally inaugurated a newly constructed arena at Wagah Border, significantly expanding facilities for visitors attending the daily flag lowering ceremony. The new arena increases seating capacity to 25,000, allowing substantially more spectators to witness one of Pakistan’s most prominent national rituals at any given time. Speaking at the inauguration, the chief minister described Wagah Border as a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s national identity and patriotic spirit, attracting citizens from across the country as well as foreign tourists on a daily basis. She said that the expanded seating and upgraded infrastructure would not only improve public comfort and safety but would also project a positive and orderly image of Pakistan internationally. Maryam Nawaz said that arrangements at the arena had been upgraded in line with modern standards, including improved security, crowd management, entry and exit routes, seating layout and other public amenities. She directed the relevant authorities to ensure that visitors and tourists are provided with all possible facilities so that a visit to Wagah Border becomes a memorable and welcoming experience. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the chief minister inspected the new arena and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. She said the Punjab government would continue to invest in public facilities and the improvement of national landmarks as part of its broader commitment to civic development and public engagement.

01 January 2026 Lahore : ReNews Reporter | Local News Desk The Lahore High Court has suspended the operation of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued a stay order on December 22, 2025, halting all proceedings under the Act and directing that related petitions be placed before a full bench for hearing. The Act, enacted in December 2025 following an earlier ordinance, established Dispute Resolution Committees headed by Deputy Commissioners to resolve property disputes within 90 days. Its objective was to provide protection against illegal occupation of immovable property. During hearings, the court remarked that granting judicial powers to revenue officers may conflict with Articles 23 and 24 of the Constitution. The court noted that interference by revenue officers in matters pending before civil courts is not permissible. Instances of possession changes based on verbal orders were highlighted, leading the court to direct reversal of such actions. Petitions challenging the Act argued that it conflicts with the Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Qanoon-e-Shahadat. Lawyers contended that the Act confers judicial-type powers on revenue officers. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed strong concern over the suspension, stating that it would benefit encroachment and land-grabbing mafias. She said the Act was intended to provide relief to millions facing prolonged property disputes. The Pakistan Bar Council welcomed the suspension, declaring the Act unconstitutional and in conflict with existing laws including the Evidence Act and Illegal Dispossession Act. The Council demanded immediate withdrawal of the Act and an apology from the Punjab government to the Lahore High Court. Despite the suspension, reports of continued proceedings in some districts prompted the court to warn of action for violation of its order. The court has sought records of actions taken by the committees. A full bench will review the Act's sections and implementation procedures. The formation of the full bench and hearing date are yet to be announced.

December 31, 2025 Lahore: Re News Reporter | Provincial Re News Desk
A complete ban has been imposed across Punjab on the issuance of fard and the mutation process based on oral land transactions. This decision, taken by the Board of Revenue Punjab, has received full approval from the provincial government and is now enforced throughout all districts of the province. Under this new policy, any land transfer will only be recognized if the transaction has been completed through formally registered documents. According to the detailed instructions issued by the Board of Revenue, patwaris, qanungos, tehsildars, and other revenue staff are no longer authorized to issue fard or approve mutations based on oral agreements, unwritten statements, or private writings. Any change in land ownership will only be accepted on the basis of registered sale deeds (bay-nama), gift deeds (hibba-nama), inheritance documents, or other legally registered papers. This restriction has been legally enforced under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Land Revenue Act 1967, Registration Act 1908, and related rules and regulations. These laws clearly state that registration is a mandatory requirement for any change in land ownership or possession to gain legal validity. Although oral transactions previously lacked legal protection, in practice, such cases often proceeded to fard issuance and mutation stages, which are now being strictly prohibited. This decision comes at a time when the province is witnessing a continuous rise in land disputes, claims of dual ownership, and litigation arising from undocumented transactions. Transfers based on oral agreements have frequently led to legal complications, prolonged court battles, and inconsistencies in records. With the implementation of the new policy, registration has been made compulsory for land sales, purchases, gifts, or any form of transfer. Without registered documents, neither a fard can be issued nor any change incorporated in the revenue records. Additionally, instructions have been issued to align land records with the digital system to make ownership information more secure, reliable, and verifiable. This initiative represents a key advancement toward strengthening the provincial land administration system on solid legal foundations. It will end the cycle of changes in records through informal methods and grant central importance to the registration process. As a result, significant improvement in record accuracy is expected, along with a notable reduction in future land disputes. As per the Board of Revenue's instructions, the implementation of this decision is effective immediately, and all district revenue officers have been directed to comply without exception. In case of any violation, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned officer. This new regulation on land transactions will further reinforce transparency, legal validity, and administrative discipline in the province's record system, with its positive impacts becoming clearly visible in the revenue framework in the coming phases. The Punjab Land Revenue Act provides a legal basis for land records and mutations, but oral transactions have long lacked full legal protection under the Registration Act. Key references include: From the Supreme Court ruling and related laws: Oral transfers in urban areas were restricted earlier, but now extended province-wide. Relevant sections mentioned in discussions: Punjab Land Revenue Act 1967, Sections A-42 and related provisions (13(2), 16(2), 117), emphasizing the need for registered evidence. Notification emphasizes that qanungo supervision and field verification alone are insufficient without registered documents; oral statements no longer suffice. Under the Registration Act 1908, non-registration renders many transfers invalid for revenue record changes. Precedents from 1882 Act clauses 3, 54, 59, 118, and up to 123 clauses highlight that unregistered private writings lack evidentiary value for mutation, leading to prevention of informal transfers. This step aligns records with modern, transparent standards.