CM and CJ’s Initiatives Bear Fruit, A New Chapter of Justice Begins in Punjab

A breath of fresh air in a suffocating environment – Became a naked sword for the powerful, a shield for the oppressed – Historic verdict in Lodhran, land grabber Sardar Hussain sentenced to 15 years in 3 cases, Rs 1 million fine, arrested from courtroom, possession to be returned in 72 hours – Tearful conversation of widow and 82-year-old man with Minute Mirror

LAHORE / LODHRAN : In Pakistan, especially Punjab, the 79-year-old obsolete, suffocating judicial and revenue system that was tilted in favour of the powerful has finally seen that breath of fresh air for which 140 million people were desperately waiting. *The Criminal Justice System is in Action.*

The first practical, historic and irrefutable result has been received from District Lodhran after the revolutionary law of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the constitutional correction by Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Aalia Neelam. This one verdict has created a wave of fear among the land mafia in all districts of Punjab and has brought a new dawn of hope for thousands of oppressed, helpless, poor, deserving and affected families.

*What is the verdict? – Complete court order with Minute Mirror:*

Honorable *District & Sessions Judge Lodhran Muhammad Ayaz* delivered his first major criminal verdict under the *Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025* and ordered:

*1.* The accused *Sardar Hussain resident of Kahror Pakka* is sentenced to *5 years rigorous imprisonment in each of three separate cases of illegal possession, fraud and threats – a total of 15 years imprisonment.*
*2.* The accused is ordered to pay *compensation / fine of Rs 200,000, Rs 300,000 and Rs 500,000 – a total of Rs 1 million* to the original owners.
*3.* Immediately after pronouncing the verdict, the accused was *taken into custody from the courtroom and shifted to District Jail Lodhran through SHO Police Station Saddar Kahror Pakka.*
*4.* *Revenue authorities Kahror Pakka* were ordered to *return possession of all lands to the original owners within 72 hours i.e. 3 days* and submit a compliance report to the court.

This is the verdict that has turned illegal possession from a civil dispute into a serious criminal offence.

*Complete Background – Two Women, Two Historic Steps, One Result:*

*First Step – Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Revolutionary Law:*
Land mafia in Punjab had become a cancer. A poor man would spend 20 years in civil courts for his land, while an influential feudal would harvest crops on it. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz introduced the *Punjab Protection of Ownership Ordinance* on October 30, 2025. The law said: Now illegal possession is not civil, it is a criminal offence, punishment is 5 to 10 years imprisonment. According to the government, initially *5,044 cases were decided* under this law, in Multan alone 35 families got possession back in one week.

*Second Step – Chief Justice Aalia Neelam’s Constitutional Correction:*
Here, Chief Justice Lahore High Court *Justice Aalia Neelam* played a historic role as the guardian of the Constitution. On December 22 and 23, 2025, she suspended that part of the law in which *judicial powers were given to Deputy Commissioners.* On December 27, 2025, she *declared all possession-return orders of DC committees in 10 districts null and void* and ruled that a Deputy Commissioner is an administrative officer, he cannot make judicial decisions. This power rests only with the *Tribunal i.e. District & Sessions Judge.*

*This balance gave birth to the Lodhran Model. The intent of the Chief Minister and the supervision of the Chief Justice – both initiatives have borne fruit.*

*Criminal Justice System in Action – What is the new procedure?*

– *Before:* The victim went to the police station, police said it is a civil matter, no FIR. *Now:* Directly to the District Judge’s court.
– *Before:* 20 years in civil court, heavy lawyer fees. *Now:* Criminal trial, *verdict in 3 months.*
– *Before:* The accused out on bail, roaming freely. *Now:* *Arrest from courtroom, straight to jail.*
– *Before:* Only claim for return of possession. *Now:* *Imprisonment + heavy fine + return of possession in 72 hours.*

*Human Stories – Minute Mirror’s Exclusive Conversations:*

*Story 1 – Widow Sughran Bibi:*
“When my husband died, Sardar Hussain occupied my 12 acres. I kept crying for 7 years. Today, because of Maryam Bibi, I got my land back. *This law has become a naked sword for the powerful and a shield for us oppressed, helpless, poor people.*”

*Story 2 – 82-year-old Baba Muhammad Bashir:*
“I worked for 22 years in Saudi Arabia and bought 8 acres. When I came back, it was occupied. I suffered for 9 years. My son told me to give up. Today the judge made me sit on a chair, listened to me and gave the verdict in 3 months. *One daughter made the law, the other daughter showed it the right path. May Allah keep both daughters safe. She gave me a new life before going to the grave.*”

Now this Criminal Justice Model will be implemented in all districts. The District & Sessions Judge of each district is now the Property Tribunal.

*Reaction across the province:*

– *Fear among land mafia:* Fear among influential land grabbers in Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Multan and entire South Punjab. Reports of voluntarily vacating illegal possessions at many places.
– *Celebration among public:* Sweets distributed in homes of affected families, prayers for Chief Minister and Chief Justice.
– *Legal experts:* “This is the first time in Punjab’s history that both the Chief Executive and the Chief Justice are women and both have given the best model of check and balance.”

*Final Analysis:*

This is not just punishment for one criminal, it is the announcement of a change in the entire system.

*Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz proved that the state is like a mother* when she made a naked sword for the powerful.

*Chief Justice Aalia Neelam proved that the Constitution is alive* when she said that the sword will be in the hands of the judge, not the officer.

And *Judge Muhammad Ayaz proved that justice is still alive* when he struck the hammer.

*This is not just a breath of fresh air in a suffocating environment, it is the foundation of a new Punjab. The first result has arrived, now this storm of justice will blow in the entire districts. In Punjab, now the occupier will go to jail, not the oppressed.*