ISLAMABAD (HRNW): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a significant ruling clarifying that the mere possession of land or holding it for an extended period does not constitute legal proof of ownership. The apex court emphasized that in cases where an oral agreement is claimed, the burden of proof is exceptionally high to prevent fraudulent transfers.
The court laid out strict criteria for validating oral contracts, stating that the claimant must provide specific details, including the exact date, time, and location of the agreement, as well as the terms of the deal and the identities of the witnesses present. Based on these principles, the Supreme Court nullified a previous order for land transfer that had been based on an alleged oral agreement dating back to 1992, citing a lack of verifiable evidence.
According to the written judgment, the standard of evidence for land ownership claims must be clear and robust to ensure legal protection and prevent property disputes. This ruling is expected to have a far-reaching impact on ongoing property litigation, particularly in cases involving ancestral lands and undocumented verbal transactions.
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