Expats' property woes

For millions of Pakistanis working abroad, the dream of returning home is shattered not by distance, but by betrayal. A staggering 40% of overseas Pakistanis face property disputes, with illegal occupation and land grabbing being the most common offences. These are not just legal annoyances but profound violations of any trust that may exist between the state and people whose remittances are often the only thing keeping the country from going bankrupt.

The modus operandi is also painfully consistent. Unscrupulous relatives, local criminals, corrupt bureaucrats, forged documents, bribes and violence come together to seize vacant homes and lands. The properties range from high-value urban homes and commercial units to agricultural lands well away from any government oversight, but the impact on the rightful owners is the same, as expats often end up losing their inheritances or life's savings through the fraud and ensuing drawn-out — and often unsuccessful — efforts to take back possession. The immense emotional and financial toll, coupled with renewed mistrust of the country by many expats who left out of desperation, is unaffordable for the government if it wants to project an image as a secure destination for foreign investment.

The government has announced initiatives such as the federal Overseas Property Act 2024 and similar provincial laws, which promise expeditious resolutions to disputes, but the ground reality is another story. On paper, special courts must resolve cases within 60 days, but several hurdles must still be cleared to file a case. Even when litigation begins, the timeframe seems more like a suggestion than a deadline. Meanwhile, favourable judgments do not guarantee that illegal occupants will be evicted. Whether it is due to corruption or ineptitude, the entire concept of qabza being a widespread problem speaks to a problem with no quick fix. Justice for overseas Pakistanis and other foreign investors depends on political will and judicial urgency coming together to ensure the system becomes more just and transparent.