Special courts to decide overseas Pakistanis' property cases within 90 days

• Legislation aimed at addressing property related issues.
• Salik says bill moved on great demand of overseas Pakistanis.
• Special court judge to have powers of district court judge.

The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed the Establishment of Special Court (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Bill, 2024, which mandates that special courts dispose of cases within 90 days.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain moved the bill to establish special courts for adjudication of petitions regarding immovable properties of overseas Pakistanis in the House. The legislation is aimed at addressing the property related issues of overseas Pakistanis.

Commenting on the salient features of the bill, Salik said that the bill has been moved on the great demand from the Pakistanis living abroad. It would ensure secure process of land purchasing through online process by overseas Pakistanis.

Leader of the House in the Senate Senator Syed Ali Zafar hailed the bill presented for the overseas. 

Meanwhile, Senator Danish Kumar said that overseas approached him and demanded to bring such kind of law to secure their property in Pakistan. Through online process of property purchasing, the overseas will not have to bear travel expenditures.

Senator Irfan Ul Haq Siddiqui said that the bill has already been approved from the committee.

All about Special Court Bill

As per the bill, the federal government would establish special courts for overseas Pakistanis after consultation with the Islamabad High Court chief justice.

The special court judge would have powers of district court judge and the Pakistanis living abroad would be able to file petitions regarding immovable properties in the court.

The pleas pertaining to property possession, ownership, property value, etc. will be heard in the court.

“Petitions could be lodged electronically (online) as well and if the respondent does not appear for the second time then the court will take action in the person’s absence,” read the bill, adding the court would not give more than two chances to a party in the case to submit evidence.

The overseas Pakistanis would be allowed to attend the court through a video link.

Moreover, as per the bill, the court would dispose of the case within 90 days then the affected person could file an appeal in the high court which will also settle the case within 90 days.

The bill said the court will stop the respondent from transferring property till a verdict on the case is announced.