Contempt petition filed in LHC against CM Maryam, aide over property law remarks

Petitioner alleges criticism of court order undermined judicial credibility

LAHORE:

A contempt of court petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari over their public remarks on the suspension of the Punjab Property Ownership Act.

Moved by citizen Munir Ahmad through Advocate Azhar Siddique, the petition argues that statements made by the two officials after the court’s interim order were “critical and controversial” in nature and amounted to contempt of court. The plea asserts that the remarks attempted to politicise a judicial decision and undermined the credibility of the court’s findings.

The petitioner contends that the comments allegedly cast the LHC ruling as one favouring land and encroachment mafias -- a description he terms a serious and baseless allegation toward the judiciary. Such assertions, the plea maintains, risk scandalising the court while the case remains sub judice.

At the heart of the dispute is the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act 2025, a law introduced by the provincial government to fast-track property dispute resolution through deputy commissioner–led committees and special tribunals. The government has maintained that the legislation was designed to curb property fraud and streamline documentation processes for citizens.

An interim order issued by the LHC chief justice earlier this week suspended implementation of the law and referred connected petitions to a larger bench. The court had observed that questions had arisen over the legal authority of administrative bodies to grant possession or enforcement orders in property matters.

In public remarks made after the ruling, Maryam Nawaz expressed concern that the suspension could embolden illegal elements and weaken protection mechanisms for affected citizens. During later media interaction, Azma Bukhari reiterated that the provincial government respected the judiciary and suggested that any misunderstanding may have stemmed from inadequate communication of the government’s position during proceedings.

Statements of this nature by sitting public officeholders, the petitioner argues, have the potential to influence judicial proceedings and introduce a political dimension to a legal determination.

On these grounds, the petition requests issuance of show-cause notices to both respondents and initiation of contempt of court proceedings.