Lahore, Pakistan – Web Desk: The Lahore High Court has ruled that all property-related cases involving overseas Pakistanis will be heard exclusively in special courts, marking a significant legal development aimed at protecting expatriate property rights.
In its detailed judgment, the court declared that objections regarding the jurisdiction of special courts to hear overseas cases are invalid and stand nullified.
The court clarified that the mandate of special courts is not limited only to possession or ownership disputes but extends to all matters related to expatriates’ property, including inheritance, transfer of ownership, powers of attorney, and disputes over both movable and immovable assets.
The ruling emphasized that the Overseas Pakistanis Property Act was designed to safeguard the property rights of expatriates, and therefore such cases must be processed through a dedicated judicial mechanism.
The court also noted that both civil and special courts had previously misinterpreted the law, leading to procedural delays and “case ping-pong” between jurisdictions.
According to the judgment, if either party in a dispute is an overseas Pakistani, the case will fall under the jurisdiction of special courts. Cases already transferred from civil courts will continue from the same stage in special courts, without requiring fresh filings.
The Lahore High Court directed all District and Sessions Judges to ensure strict compliance with the ruling and ordered that copies of the judgment be circulated to all relevant judicial officers.
Legal experts say the decision is expected to streamline litigation for overseas Pakistanis and reduce long-standing delays in property dispute resolution.
