The large-scale recovery campaign was launched in September 2025 and focused on identifying state properties that had been unlawfully occupied. Authorities conducted extensive reviews of land records, verified ownership documents, and carried out demarcation exercises before taking enforcement actions to restore the land to government control.

According to officials, a total of 25,444 kanals of agricultural and commercial land were recovered during the fiscal year 2025-26. The initiative represents one of the most substantial land recovery efforts undertaken in the province in recent years.

To ensure that the process continues effectively, the Punjab government has established the Punjab State Assets Task Force. The task force has been assigned the responsibility of locating additional encroached state properties, facilitating their recovery, and ensuring that any future disposal of these assets follows transparent and documented procedures.

Authorities have emphasized that all recovered properties will be managed through accountable systems designed to safeguard public assets and maintain clear records of any transactions involving the land. This approach aims to prevent future illegal occupations and strengthen public trust in land administration.

The government has also encouraged citizens to play an active role by reporting cases of illegal occupation through the official complaint management system. Officials stated that all complaints will be reviewed and investigated to support ongoing recovery efforts.

Beyond land recovery, the Board of Revenue highlighted several administrative achievements during the year. The department reported the collection of Rs9.97 billion in agricultural income tax, reflecting improved revenue enforcement and compliance measures.

In addition, Punjab has accelerated the modernization of its land administration system. Millions of land records have been digitized, making ownership information more accessible and reducing the risk of record manipulation. The introduction of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based property certification has further strengthened the verification process, helping authorities improve transparency and accuracy in land management.

The recovery campaign, combined with ongoing digitization and governance reforms, signals a broader effort by the provincial government to protect public resources, enhance accountability, and improve the efficiency of land administration across Punjab.

As authorities continue their work, the success of these initiatives will likely be measured not only by the amount of land recovered but also by the long-term protection and productive use of state-owned assets for the benefit of the public.

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The controversy centers on whether NAB must formally present a reference in an accountability court before closing an inquiry that has already been withdrawn. The issue has now been taken to the Federal Constitutional Court for clarification.

Background of the Case

The investigation into the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case began in November 2018. During the course of the inquiry, Maryam Nawaz was arrested in August 2019 and remained on physical remand for 48 days. Later, the Lahore High Court granted her post-arrest bail in October 2019.

At the time of granting bail, the court directed her to submit two surety bonds worth Rs10 million each, deposit Rs70 million, and surrender her passport.

NAB initially challenged the bail decision in the Supreme Court, but in August 2023 the bureau withdrew its petition.

Withdrawal of the Inquiry

Following amendments to the NAB law, the bureau reviewed several ongoing investigations, including the Chaudhry Sugar Mills inquiry. NAB’s investigation officer concluded that the available evidence did not establish corruption or corrupt practices.

Based on this assessment, the NAB Executive Board decided on April 3, 2024, to withdraw the proceedings under Section 31B(1) of the NAB Ordinance.

After the withdrawal, Maryam Nawaz approached the Lahore High Court seeking the return of the Rs70 million she had deposited as part of her bail conditions.

LHC’s Directive

In February 2026, the Lahore High Court ruled that the case could only be formally closed through the accountability court. It directed NAB to file a reference within one week so that the accountability court in Lahore could officially dispose of the matter. The court also ordered the accountability court to decide the reference within one month.

NAB’s Challenge

NAB has now contested this ruling before the Federal Constitutional Court through the additional prosecutor general. The bureau argues that if a case is withdrawn at the inquiry stage, the accountability court has no jurisdiction over the matter.

According to NAB, the law does not require judicial approval to withdraw such cases. Therefore, the bureau maintains that the high court cannot impose a requirement that does not exist in the legislation.

NAB further stated that the LHC issued the decision without notifying the Office of the Attorney General. The bureau also claimed that the high court effectively exercised powers similar to taking suo motu notice, which it believes falls outside the court’s authority in this situation.

Legal Question at the Center

The dispute now raises an important legal question: whether NAB can independently withdraw a corruption inquiry or whether the accountability court must formally approve the closure.

The Constitutional Court’s decision could have broader implications for how accountability cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding the powers of NAB and the role of accountability courts when investigations are withdrawn before reaching the trial stage.

As the matter moves forward, legal experts are closely watching the case because the ruling may help clarify the procedural framework governing corruption inquiries in Pakistan.

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