KP govt to challenge PHC verdict in FCC regrading Chitral lands’ ownership

Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to challenge Peshawar High Court’s decision order regarding Chitral’s local lands in the Federal Constitutional Court, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has pleaded that the High Court’s decision is unconstitutional and illegal, while the court had declared these lands as government property under a 1975 notification.

The Peshawar High Court, while issuing the decision, said that if the locals of Chitral have documentary evidence of the lands, they can approach the civil court, and the civil court can rule in favor of the owners.  

According to the court, under the notification, all mountains, forests, pastures, hunting grounds and wastelands are included in government ownership, however, the inquiry commission for the disputed lands was to determine ownership between the government and the local people. 

According to Chitral lawyer Barrister Asad-ul-Mulk, the High Court's decision was balanced and highlights various aspects, which can give local people an opportunity to protect their rights. 

Former MNA Prince Iftikharuddin said that through the 1975 notification, the provincial government exceeded its jurisdiction and 97 percent of the lands were put under government ownership. Now this matter will come up for hearing in the constitutional bench of the Federal Constitutional Court where the provincial government has challenged the High Court's decision and requested its constitutional ratification or annulment. In 2019, the people of Chitral submitted a petition to the Peshawar High Court through Barrister Asad-ul-Mulk. 

This application was filed under the name WP 1057/2019 “People of Chitral vs. Federation of Pakistan”. After a long court proceedings, the High Court accepted this application on November 25, 2025 and gave a big relief to the people of Chitral.