Islamabad: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced a landmark initiative to protect the property rights of overseas Pakistani's in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), assuring swift action against illegal occupation and qabza.
The interior minister stated that if any overseas Pakistani reports illegal occupation of their property in Islamabad, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad will be legally bound to decide the case within seven days.
“No one will be allowed to take what is lawfully yours. The investments of overseas Pakistani's in ICT are always welcome and valued,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
Overseas Pakistani's play a crucial role in Pakistan’s economy through foreign remittances and investments. However, illegal occupation of their properties, followed by prolonged litigation and administrative delays, has remained one of their biggest challenges. The new directive directly addresses these concerns by ensuring time-bound justice and administrative accountability.
The decision aligns with Article 10A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair and expeditious justice. It also reinforces constitutional protections under Articles 23 and 24, which safeguard citizens’ rights to acquire, hold, and dispose of property and protect them from unlawful deprivation. Additionally, Article 4 ensures equal protection of the law for all citizens, including overseas Pakistani's.
Legal experts note that the initiative is further supported by the Illegal Dispossession Act, 2005, which criminalizes forcible or fraudulent occupation of property and allows for immediate restoration of possession to lawful owners. The DC Islamabad’s authority under land revenue and administrative laws provides the legal basis for prompt enforcement.
By imposing a strict seven-day timeline, the interior minister aims to eliminate prolonged litigation, reduce financial and emotional distress for overseas Pakistani's, and discourage land grabbers operating with impunity.
The announcement is expected to restore confidence among expatriate Pakistani's and encourage increased real estate and commercial investments in Islamabad. Officials believe that improved protection of property rights will lead to higher remittances through legal banking channels, strengthening foreign exchange reserves and supporting economic stability.
In the long term, increased lawful investment and remittances are likely to contribute to infrastructure development, improved public services, and reduced reliance on external borrowing.
Observers describe the move as a significant step toward administrative reform and investor confidence-building. By ensuring swift resolution of property disputes and effective enforcement of the law, the government aims to make Islamabad a secure, investor-friendly capital and a model for the rest of the country.
The initiative will help rebuild trust between overseas Pakistani's and their homeland, paving the way for sustainable economic growth and national prosperity.
