Land grabbing is a growing problem in Pakistan. It is also called as “grabbing”, “possession” or “occupation” of lands, which are Land Grabbing has become a nightmare for the country.Sometimes, fights lead to accidents that can be deadly. Learn more about domestic violence, including what you can do to prevent it, and how to handle it when it occurs.
The legal actions that can be taken against this illegal possession are what we need to solve this issue.
Land Grabbing in Pakistan
‘Qabza Group’ – a word you might have come across a lot these days.
These men are connected to some of the most influential politicians, and it’s been proven time and again that they do influence government policy.
They use various tactics, including threatening to kill landowners, to force them to hand over their land.After stealing the land, they forge the documents.They file fictitious suits against them in the courts to claim the property.
Some groups are trying to take public lands for their business areas, and others are taking the land illegally for residential or commercial construction projects. The ‘qabza mafia’ is working out plans to get the public or government lands for their business areas or illegal residential or commercial construction projects.
Pakistan has seen a rise in land grabbing.
These organizations bribe government officials, and with their help, they take over the country.In Pakistan, most land disputes are usually between the heirs of an estate, as they fight over their share of the inheritance.The reason why they use illegal methods is that they don’t want anyone to know who they are.
In Pakistan, the government recently instituted laws against land mafia to stop them from taking over people’s lands. These laws are helping stop the disputes that arise from illegal possession of lands.
Land disputes and who takes the action?
In most cases, individuals with no power of money or influence in society are the victims of this nefarious activity of land grabbing in Pakistan. However, in some cases, entire communities are the victims of land grabbing. It happens mostly in cases when housing societies are established on larger scales.
Properties are taken illegally from their owners and villages are destroyed completely to pave the way for these projects. In other cases, local or government bodies are the victims of these land-grabbing mafias.
So, everyone whose land has been illegally grabbed through force can take legal action against the mafias in court.
How To Protect Your Property From Land Grabs In Pakistan?Legal Action You Can Take?
Property laws are complicated in Pakistan because of the complex legal procedures.Court cases are normally very costly and can take a lot of time to decide, especially if they involve an appeal.
The police department often avoids land grabbing cases due to the complexities of the case and sometimes due to pressure from higher authorities.
If lawlessness continues to dominate the country, the rights of individuals to protection under the law will be eroded and there will be little opportunity for the rule of law.
However, there are some laws protecting individuals against the illegal grabbing of their land. The LJCP must make those laws more effective and enforce them to make sure they are protected.
Everyone should know these land and property laws.Land grabbers, mafias or other violent gangs often have powerful friends.There is no other way except for these groups to control the population.In an anarchical state, there are no rules, laws or regulations; and there is little to no protection for individuals.
The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) has laws that protect individual from the illegal grabbing of their land.All land owners and all those looking to invest in land properties should be familiar with these land and property laws.
Illegal Dispossession Act, 2005
The purpose and objective behind the ‘Land Grabbing Act, 2005’ are to curtail the growing illegal possession and grabbing of the lands.
To help ensure that people who own property and have done no wrong cannot be victims of theft, and to protect them from the clutches of land grabbers and illegal possession of their lands, we pass this Act.
Punishments are given to law breakers. Property seizures are made more efficient and effective. People are compensated for their losses.
The Dispossessing Property Act, 2005 is an act to curb the activities of the property grabbers.
Provisions of this Act provide legal protection to the lawful owners and occupiers of immovable properties from their illegal or forcible dispossession thereof by the property grabbers.
Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
The introduction of the ‘Illegal Dispossession Act, 2005’ in Pakistan’s judicial system, Pakistan Penal Code 1860, known as the Indian Penal Code, provides protection to the lawful property owners from the illegal dispossession of their land.
Pakistan’s Penal Code was originally established in 1857 and it still provides justice and protection to landowners from illegal land grabbers.
Section 441, 442, 443, 444 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 protect against ‘criminal trespass’, ‘house-trespass’, ‘lurking house-trespass, and ‘lurking house-trespass by night’, respectively.
Additionally, Sections 445 to 453 define the punishments and fines for these offenses depending upon their severity.
Eradication of Qabza Group (Activities), 1993
This act was introduced to protect the rightful owners of immovable property from unlawful dispossession by qabza groups.
There was an attempt to open the case of the missing persons from Balochistan. The Qabza Group Act, 1993 has been extended to the whole of Pakistan.
This law also helps you to acquire your lost property and ensure that you get it back as fast as possible.
Moreover, strict punishments are a part of the act that are meant to nab land grabbers and hold them accountable for their actions.
Settlements or Agreements
In these cases, the best solution is for all parties involved to make a deal, where both parties agree to a settlement or an agreement.
This is a dangerous trend that needs to be addressed, and we need to stop the chaos.Settlements are typically completed with the help of a third party that acts as the guarantee.
In some cases, government officials or courts also play a role in the procedure to make it peaceful and long-lasting.But the cases of settlements or the agreements might turn out to be disputes between the relatives in the coming years.
How Can We Prevent Land Grabbing in Pakistan?
Most property or land grabbing activities happen due to carelessly assuming the land was public.
Other times, these activities are due to a personal animosity between two or more people.
When land-grabbing activities occur in Pakistan, the only question that needs to be asked is, how do we prevent such activities?
There are several ways that can help you avoid your land from being illegally dispossessed by land grabbers in Pakistan.:
Check Your Property Document Before Purchasing
Before purchasing any property, it is crucial that you check all relevant government documents and verify them from the concerned departments and authorities.
A recent way to trick people out of their properties is through forgery and/or falsification of documents.These are the “fake” credentials that scammers use to get access to your account and then they use them to do all sorts of mischief.
Fake lawsuits are the tactics scammers use to provide evidence against you in court.It’s very important to check the documents before buying any property.
Property Markings In Pakistan
In most cases, properties with no proper markings or assertions by the owners become the target of these land mafias.
You should make sure that they do not come into your house and remove your furniture or any other part of your home.As a lawful owner of the property, it is important to mark the property in time.
It prevents people from illegally grabbing other peoples’ property. But it also provides proof that you are in actual possession of the property should someone try to forcibly take it from you.
Paying Utility Bills and Keeping the Documents in Order
The documents related to your property are called your insurance and evidence against land-grabbing.Keeping all the documents in order, and paying all the utility bills, keeps your property safe from government action, as well as thieves.
Landgrabbers usually target property documents to get rid of lawful owners.They can forge documents and provide fake evidence for lawsuits.
You can make your property safe from illegal land grabbers by considering the following laws and measures:You can also get legal advice from reputed lawyers besides these actions.