Lahore, Pakistan – Web Desk: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Maryam Nawaz has taken a landmark step to protect the collective properties of minority communities, including churches, temples, gurdwaras, and other religious institutions. A new legislative bill for 2026 has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly to safeguard minority-owned properties and assets.
The bill, presented by Christopher Philbos, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, ensures that minority institutions, along with government grants, charitable funds, foreign aid, and donations for welfare work, are considered collective property.
A provincial Action Committee will be established under the bill to record, monitor, and safeguard all minority properties, prevent illegal encroachments or misuse, and oversee any sale, transfer, lease, or mortgage, which will now require government approval.
The committee will include the Chief Minister’s nominated minority Assembly member as chairperson, secretaries for Human Rights & Minority Affairs, Law & Parliamentary Affairs, senior Board of Revenue members, Deputy Inspector General of Police, and six minority community representatives, including one woman.
Violations of the law, including illegal sale, transfer, or lease of minority collective properties, could result in up to seven years in prison and fines of up to PKR 100,000. All properties previously registered under a single individual must be converted to collective ownership within six months.
The move has been widely welcomed by minority communities as a major step to secure religious and community assets in Punjab.
