Bill introduced to set up special courts for expats’ properties

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday introduced a bill in the provincial assembly seeking the establishment of special courts for the protection of properties owned by overseas Pakistanis.
The proposed legislation, titled the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Bill, 2026, was presented by Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam.
According to the draft, special courts will be set up across the province in consultation with the Peshawar High Court to adjudicate property disputes involving overseas Pakistanis and to facilitate the recovery of illegally occupied land.
The bill proposes that district judges or experienced lawyers be appointed to preside over these courts for a term of three years.
It states that overseas Pakistanis will be able to file complaints online and record statements through video link facilities. The courts will be required to decide cases within 120 days and will have powers to prevent illegal transfer or sale of disputed properties.
The draft further provides that in case a petition is found to be false or frivolous, the petitioner may be fined. Appeals against final judgments can be filed within 15 days, while the high court will be required to decide such appeals within 90 days.
All pending cases relating to overseas Pakistanis’ properties will be transferred to the new courts.
The bill also includes provisions to assist overseas Pakistanis in recovering rents, with court notices to be served through mobile phones, email and public announcements, including through mosques.
It obliges police and district administration to assist in the implementation of court orders, while a registrar will be appointed to handle complaints. A committee will also be tasked with presenting an annual report on the law’s implementation.
The proposed law envisages the use of a modern electronic system to maintain court records and will be applicable across all districts of the province upon enactment.