Emergency meeting of Anjuman Imamia Skardu, deep concern expressed over Land Reforms Act

Shiite News: An important joint consultative meeting of Anjuman Imamia Baltistan Sub-Division Gamba Skardu was held under the chairmanship of Syed Ahmed Shah Al-Hussaini, Imam of Jamia Wal Jamaat Gamba Skardu.

In which a large number of scholars and elders of Gamba Skardu Sub-Division participated.

The meeting carefully reviewed the Land Reforms Act 2025.

The lawyers issued the following statement after discussing all the points regarding the bill in detail:

1. Anjuman Imamia Sub-Division Gamba Skardu has been maintaining its position regarding the Land Reforms Act 2025 from day one that the lands, natural resources, and land of Gilgit-Baltistan are the property of the people from the top of the mountain to the banks of the river and all the Sharia and customary laws of Wajib-ul-Ard are in force in every village.

2. According to the definition of “Government Land” in clause (x) of the Land Reforms Act 2025, all the allotments and illegal occupations made so far have not only been given legal form but also the allotted land has been kept secret, due to which the original spirit of this act has been violated and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have been deprived of thousands of kanals of land. Under clauses 4, 7, 12 of this bill, endless powers have been given to the DC/Collector, which is tantamount to making the bureaucracy a viceroy.

3. Moreover, the hastily introduced Land Reforms Act 2025 has not fulfilled the legal requirements, which is a matter of concern.

4. A study of all the provisions makes it clear that the bureaucracy has been made more powerful than the public representatives.
5. Under Chapter (x) Clause No. 17, the doors of the competent courts have also been closed against the decisions of the administrative officers and the role of the public representatives has become symbolic.
6 The role of the Village Verification Committee in Section 9 of this Act is also demonstrative.
7 The hidden terms and conditions in the title deeds issued under this Act make the entire Act suspicious.

8. Apart from this, many provisions are in conflict with the public interest.
9. This meeting unanimously expresses its strong reservations on the Land Reforms Act 2025 and rejects it.
10. Therefore, it is requested from the Governor Gilgit-Baltistan that instead of signing this bill, keeping in mind the public interest, it should be sent back to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, so that the provisions in this act that are in conflict with the public interest can be amended and public interests can be protected. Otherwise, a strong public movement will start against the Land Reforms Act 2025.