PUNJAB TENANCY ACT, 1887

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THE PUNJAB TENANCY ACT, 1887 
(XVI of 1887) 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER 1 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Title, extent and commencement 
2. Repealed 
3. Repealed 
4. Definitions 
CHAPTER II 
RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY  
5. Tenants having right of occupancy 
6. Right of occupancy of other tenants recorded as having the right before 
passing of Punjab Tenancy Act, 1868 
7. Right of occupancy in land taken in exchange 
8. Establishment of right of occupancy on grounds other than those 
expressly stated in Act 
9. Right of occupancy not to be acquired by mere lapse of time 
10. Right of occupancy not to be acquired by joint owner in land held in 
joint ownership 
11. Continuance of existing occupancy rights 
CHAPTER III 
RENT  
Rents generally 
12. Respective rights of landlord and tenant to produce 
13. Commutation and alteration of rent 
14. Payments for land occupied without consent of landlord 
15. Collection of rents of undivided property 
15-A. Rights and liabilities regarding rent and government dues 
Produce rent 
16. Presumption with respect to produce removed before division or 
appraisement 
17. Appointment of referee for division or appraisement 
18. Appointment of assessors and procedure of referee 
19. Procedure after division or appraisement 
20. Enhancement of produce rents of occupancy tenants 
21. Reduction of rents referred to in the last foregoing section 
Cash-rents paid by tenants having right of occupancy  
22. Enhancement of cash rents of occupancy tenants 
23. Reduction of rents referred to in the last foregoing section 
General provisions relating to suits for enhancement or reduction of rent  
24. Enhancement and reduction of rent by suit 
25. Discretion as to extent of enhancement or reduction 
26. Time for enhancement or reduction to take effect 
Adjustment of rents expressed in terms of the land-revenue  
27. Adjustment of rents expressed in terms of the land-revenue 
Adjustment of rents paid by occupancy tenants in Attock District  
27-A. Adjustment of rents paid by occupancy tenants in Attock District 
Alteration of rent on alteration of area  
28. Alteration of rent on alteration of area 
Remission  
29. Remission of rent by Courts decreeing arrears 
30. Remission and suspension of rent consequent on like treatment of land -
revenue 
Deposits  
31. Power to deposit rent in certain cases with Revenue-officer 
32. Effect of depositing rent 
Recovery of rent from attached produce  
33. Recovery of rent from attached produce 
Leases for period exceeding term of assessment of land-revenue  
34. Treatment of leases for period exceeding or equal to term of assessment 
of land-revenue 
CHAPTER IV 
RELINQUISHMENT, ABANDONMENT AND EJECTMENT 
Relinquishment  
35. Relinquishment by tenant for a fixed term 
36. Relinquishment by any other tenant 
37. Relinquishment of part only of a tenancy 
Abandonment  
38. Abandonment of tenancy by occupancy tenant 
Liability to ejectment  
39. Grounds of ejectment of occupancy tenant 
40. Grounds of ejectment of tenant for a fixed term 
41. Ejectment of tenant from year to year 
Procedure on ejectment  
42. Restriction on ejectment 
43. Application to Revenue-officer for ejectment 
44. Ejectment for failure to satisfy decree for arrear of rent 
45. Ejectment of tenant from year to year by notice 
46. Power to make rules 
General provisions respecting ejectment  
47. Time for ejectment 
48. Relief against forfeiture 
49. Rights of ejected tenants in respect of crops and land prepared for 
sowing 
Relief for wrongful dispossession  
50. Relief of wrongful dispossession or ejectment 
50-A. Bar to civil suits 
51. Bar of relief by suit under section 9, Act I of 1877 
Power to vary dates prescribed by this Chapter  
52. Power of Provincial Government to fix dates for certain purposes 
CHAPTER V 
ALIENATION OF, AND SUCCESSION TO, RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY 
Alienation  
52-A. Provisions of Chapter V not to apply to muqarraridars 
53. Private transfer of right of occupancy under section 5 by tenant 
54. Procedure on foreclosure of mortgage of right of occupancy under 
section 5 
55. Sale of right of occupancy under section 5 in execution of decree 
56. Transfer of right of occupancy under any other section than section 5 
57. Rights and liabilities of transferee of right of occupancy 
58. Sub-letting 
58-A. Transfer of right of occupancy under any section of the Act by exchange 
Succession 
59. Succession to right of occupancy 
Irregular transfers 
60. Irregular transfer of right of occupancy 
CHAPTER V-A 
Succession to non-occupancy tenancies 
60-A. Succession to non-occupancy tenancies 
CHAPTER VI 
IMPROVEMENTS AND COMPENSATION 
Improvements by landlords 
61. Improvements by landlords on tenancies of occupancy tenants 
62. Enhancement of rent in consideration of an improvement made by a 
landlord on the tenancy of an occupancy tenant 
Improvements by tenants 
63. Title of occupancy tenant to make improvements 
64. Title of tenants not having right of occupancy to make improvements 
65. Improvements made before commencement of this Act 
66. Improvements begun in anticipation of ejectment 
67. Tender of lease for twenty years to tenant to be a bar to right to 
compensation 
68. Liability to pay compensation for improvements to tenants on ejectment 
or on enhancement of his rent 
Compensation for disturbance of clearing tenants 
69. Compensation for disturbance of clearing tenants 
Procedure in determining compensation 
70. Determination of compensation by Revenue Courts 
71. Determination of compensation by Revenue-officers 
72. Matters to be regarded in assessment of compensation for 
improvements 
73. Form of compensation 
Relief in case of ejectment before determination of compensation 
74. Relief in case of ejectment before determination of compensation 
CHAPTER VII 
JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE 
Jurisdiction 
75. Revenue-officers 
76. Applications and proceedings cognizable by Revenue-officers 
77. Revenue Courts and suits cognizable by them 
Procedure where revenue matter is raised in a Civil Court 
Administrative control 
78. Superintendence and control of Revenue-officers and Revenue Courts 
79. Power to distribute business and withdraw and transfer cases 
Appeal, Review and Revision 
80. Appeals 
81. Limitation for appeals 
82. Review by Revenue-officers 
83. Computation of periods limited for appeals and applications for review 
84. Power to call for, examine and revise proceedings of Revenue -officers 
and Revenue Courts 
Procedure 
85. Procedure of Revenue-officers 
86. Persons by whom appearances may be made before Revenue -officers 
as such and not as Revenue Courts 
87. Costs 
88. Procedure of Revenue Courts 
89. Power of Revenue-officer or Revenue Court to summon persons 
90. Mode of service of summons 
91. Mode of service of notice, or order or proclamation or copy thereof 
92. Additional mode of publishing proclamation 
93. Joinder of tenants as parties to proceeding relating to rent 
94. Exception of suits under this Act from operation of certain enactments 
95. Payment into Court of money admitted to be due to a third person 
96. Execution of decree for arrears of rent 
97. Prohibition of imprisonment of tenants in execution of  decrees for 
arrears of rent 
98. Power to refer party to Civil Court 
99. Power to refer to High Court questions as to jurisdiction 
100. Power of High Court to validate proceeding s held under mistake as to 
jurisdiction 
Miscellaneous 
101. Place of sitting 
102. Holidays 
103. Discharge of duties of Collector dying or being disabled 
104. Retention of powers by Revenue-officer on transfer 
105. Conferment of powers of Revenue-officer or Revenue Court 
106. Power of Board of Revenue to make rules 
107. Rules to be made after previous publication 
108. Powers exercisable by Board of Revenue from time to time 
CHAPTER VIII 
EFFECT OF THIS ACT ON RECORDS-OF-RIGHTS AND AGREEMENTS 
109. Nullity of certain entries in records-of-rights 
110. Nullity of certain agreements contrary to the Act 
111. Saving of other agreements when in writing 
112. Effect of certain entries made in r ecords-of-rights before November, 
1871 
113. Nothing but rent or seed supplied recoverable 
114. Extinction of occupancy tenancies 
114-A.Extinction of Muqarraridari rights 
114-B.Removal of doubts 
115. Limits of holding for personal cultivation 
116. Offences 
THE SCHEDULE 
Repeald 
 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB TENANCY ACT, 1887 
(XVI of 1887) 
[23rd September, 1887] 
An 
Act 
to amend the law relating to the tenancy of land in the Punjab. 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law relating to the tenancy of land in 
the Punjab; 
 It is hereby enacted as follows:– 
CHAPTER 1 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be called the Punjab 
Tenancy Act, 1887. 
 
2
[(2) It extends to the whole of the Punjab.] 
 (3) It shall come into force on such day as the 
3
[Provincial Government] 
may, by notification, appoint in this behalf. 
4
[2. Power to make rules in anticipation of commencement.–  * * * *   ] 
5
[3. Repeal.– * * * * *  * * * * * *   ] 
4. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject 
or context,– 
(1) “land” means land which is not occupied as the site of any building in a 
town or village and is occupied or has been let for agricultural purposes 
or for purposes subservient to agriculture or for pasture, and includes 
the sites of buildings and other structures on such land: 
6
[(1-A) “Government” shall, unless the context otherwise provides, mean the 
Provincial Government 
7
[:]  ] 
                                                 
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Punjab Gazette, 1886, Part V, pages 449-455. This Act received the assent of the 
Governor General on the 23rd September, 1887 and was published in the Punjab Gazette, 1887, Part IV, pages 49-69. 
2Substituted by the Punjab Laws (Adaption, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), w.e.f.21.1.1955, s.2 and first 
schedule; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 87-108. 
3Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
4Repealed by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891), section 2 (1) and First Schedule by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891); 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 21.3.1891. 
5Repealed by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891), section 2 (1) and First Schedule by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891); 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 21.3.1891. 
6Inserted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule 
III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
8
[(1-B) “Commissioner” means a Commissioner of a Division appointed under 
the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967) and includes an 
Additional Commissioner:]  
(2) “pay”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, 
includes, when used with reference to rent, “deliver” and “render”, with 
their grammatical variations and cognate expressions: 
(3) “rent” means whatever is payable to a landlo rd in money, kind or 
service by a tenant on account of the use or occupation of land held by 
him; 
9
[but it shall not include any cess, village cess or other contribution 
or due or any free personal service]: 
(4) “arrear of rent” means rent which remains un paid after the date on 
which it becomes payable: 
(5) “tenant” means a person who holds land under another person, and is 
or but for a special contract would be, liable to pay rent for that land to 
that other person; but it does not include– 
10
[(a) * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
(b) a mortgagee of the rights of a land-owner, or 
(c) a person to whom a holding has been transferred, or an estate 
or holding has been let in farm, under the Punjab Land  Revenue 
Act, 
11
[1967], for the recovery of an arrear of land-revenue or of a 
sum recoverable as such an arrear, or 
(d) a person who takes from the 
12
[Government] a lease of 
unoccupied land for the purpose of sub-letting it: 
(6) “landlord” means a person under whom a tenant holds land, and to 
whom the tenant is or but for a spe cial contract would be, liable to pay 
rent for that land: 
(7) “tenant” and “landlord” include the predecessors and successors -in-
interest of a tenant and landlord, respectively: 
(8) “tenancy” means a parcel of land held by a tenant of a landlord under 
one lease or one set of conditions: 
                                                                                                                                                        
7Misprinted in the Gazette as “full-stop”. 
8Inserted by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047.  
9Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1950 (XVII of 1950), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 13.6.1951, pages 117-118. 
10Omitted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; and published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313 -2315;  which was protected and continued in force under t he 
Provisional Constitutional Order, 1999 (Chief Executive’s Order No.1 of 1999) as amended by the Provisional Constitution 
(Amendment) Order, 1999 (Chief Executive’s Order No. 9 of 1999) and Article 270AA of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic 
of Pakistan, as substituted by the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010.) 
11Substituted  for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001,pages 2313-2315. 
12Substituted for “the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6.1962, s.2 and 
Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
(9) “estate”, “land -owner” and “holding” have the meanings respectively 
assigned to those words in the Punjab Land-revenue Act, 
13
[1967]: 
(10) “land-revenue” means land -revenue assessed under any law for the 
time being in force or assessable under the Punjab Land  Revenue Act, 
14
[1967], and includes– 
(a) any rate imposed in respect of the increased value of land due 
to irrigation; and 
(b) any sum payable in respect of land, by way of quit -rent or of 
commutation for service, to t he 
15
[Government] or to a person to 
whom the 
16
[Government] has assigned the right to receive the 
payment: 
(11) “rates and cesses” means rates and cesses which are primarily 
payable by land-owners, and includes– 
17
[(a) * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
(b) the local ra te, if any, payable under the 
18
[Punjab Local 
Government Ordinance, 2001]; 
(c) any annual rate chargeable on owners of lands under section 59 
of the 
19
[* * *] Canal and Drainage Act, 1873; 
(d) the 
20
[* * *] village-officer’s cesses; and 
(e) sums payable on account of village-expenses: 
21
[(12) “village-cess” means any cess, contribution or due which is customarily 
leviable, from land-owners and non-land-owners alike, within an estate 
for the common purposes of the inhabitants thereof, and is neither a 
payment for the use of any private property or for personal service, nor 
imposed by or under any enactment for the time being in force, and 
does not mean any cess, contribution or due leviable, for the benefit of 
any individual residents or class of residents in the  estate, or in relation 
                                                 
13Substituted for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
14Substituted for the figure “1887” by th e Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
15Substituted for “the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. N o. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6.1962, s.2 and 
Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
16Substituted for “the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6 .1962, s.2 and 
Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
17Deleted by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891) by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891); and published in the Gazette of 
India, dated 21.3.1891. 
18Substituted for “Punjab District Boards Act, 1883, and any, fee leviable under section 33 of that Act from land -owners for the 
use of, or benefits derived from such works as are referred to in section 20, clauses (i) and (j) of that Act” by the Punjab 
Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
19Omitted the words “Northern India” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
20Omitted the words “zaildari and” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.2; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
21Substituted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1950 (XVII of 1950), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 13.6.1951, pages 117-118. 
to any property which is not meant for the common use of all the 
residents: 
Explanation.– If any question arises whether any cess, contribution or due is or is 
not a village cess, the decision of the 
22
[Board of Revenue] shall be con clusive and 
shall not be liable to be questioned in any Court:] 
(13) “village-Officer” means a chief headman, headman or Patwari: 
(14) “Revenue-Officer” or “Revenue Court”, in any provision of this Act, 
means a Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court having authority under this 
Act to discharge the functions of a Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court, 
as the case may be, under that provision: 
(15) “jagirdar” includes any person, other than a village servant, to whom 
the land-revenue of any land has been assigned in whole or in part 
23
[by 
Government] or by 
24
[a servant of the State]: 
(16) “legal practitioner” means any legal practitioner within the meaning of 
the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879, except a mukhtar: 
(17) “agricultural year” means the year commencing on the sixt eenth day of 
June, or on such other date as the 
25
[Provincial Government] may, by 
notification appoint for any local area: 
(18) “notification” means a notification published by authority of the 
26
[Provincial Government] 
27
[ or Board of Revenue] in the Officia l 
Gazette: 
(19) “improvement” means with reference to a tenancy, any work which is 
suitable to the tenancy and consistent with the conditions on which it is 
held, by which the value of the tenancy has been and continues to be 
increased, and which, if not e xecuted on the tenancy, is either 
executed directly for its benefit, or is, after execution made directly 
beneficial to it: 
Explanation I.– It includes, among other things– 
(a) the construction of wells and other works for the storage or 
supply of water for agricultural purposes; 
                                                 
22Substituted for “Provincial Government” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 
14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
23Substituted for “by the Crown” by  the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6.1962, s.2 
and Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
24Substituted for “an officer of the Crown” by the West P akistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 
8.6.1962, s.2 and Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
25Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Ada ptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
26Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Ad aptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
27Inserted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Ac t, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule 
III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709-789. 
(b) the construction of works for drainage and for protection against 
floods; 
(c) the planting of trees, the reclaiming, enclosing, levelling and 
terracing of land for agricultural purposes and other works of a 
like nature; 
(d) the erection of buildings required for the more convenient or 
profitable cultivation of a tenancy; and 
(e) the renewal or reconstruction of any of the foregoing works, or 
such alterations therein, or additions thereto, as are not of the 
nature of mere repairs and as durably increase their value; 
 But it does not include such clearances, embankments, levelling, enclosures, 
temporary wells and water channels as are made by tenants in the ordinary course 
of cultivation and without any special expenditure, or any other benefit accruing to 
land from the ordinary operations of husbandry; 
Explanation II .– A work which benefits several tenancies may be deemed to be, 
with respect to each of them, an improvement; 
Explanation III .– A work executed by a tenant is not an im provement if it 
substantially diminishes the value of any other part of his landlord’s property; and 
28
[(20) “Muqarraridar” means any person who holds land in 
29
[the Attock and 
Rawalpindi Districts] and who, on the date of the commencement of the 
Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925, was recorded in the revenue 
records as muqarraridar in respect of such land or who, after the said 
date, was so recorded with his consent and the consent of the 
proprietor of such land and includes the successors -in-interest of a  
muqarraridar.] 
CHAPTER II 
RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY 
5. Tenants having right of occupancy.– (1) A tenant– 
(a) who at the commencement of this Act has, for more than two 
generations in the male line of descent through a grandfather or grand 
uncle and for a period of not less than twenty years, been occupying 
land paying no rent therefor beyond the amount of the land -revenue 
thereof and the rates and cesses for the time being chargeable 
thereon, or 
(b) who having owned land, and having ceased to be land -owner thereof 
otherwise than by forfeiture to the Government or than by any voluntary 
act, has, since he ceased to be land -owner, continuously occupied the 
land, or 
                                                 
28Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
29Substituted for “Attock District” by the Punjab Tenancy (Removal of Doubts and Amendment) Act, 1975 (XXXVIII of 1975), 
w.e.f. 2.12.1974, s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 25.6.1975, pages 942-YYY to 942-BBBB.  
(c) who, in a village or estate in which he settled alongwith, or was settled 
by, the founder thereof a s a cultivator therein, occupied land on the 
twenty-first day of October, 1868, and has continuously occupied the 
land since that date, or 
(d) who, being jagirdar of the estate or any part of the estate in which the 
land occupied by him is situate, has con tinuously occupied the land for 
not less than twenty years, or having been such jagirdar, occupied the 
land while he was jagirdar and has continuously occupied it for not less 
than twenty years, has a right of occupancy in the land so occupied, 
unless, in the case of a tenant belonging to the class specified in 
clause (c), the landlord proves that the tenant was settled on land 
previously cleared and brought under cultivation by, or at the expense 
of, the founder. 
 (2) If a tenant proves that he has continu ously occupied land for thirty 
years and paid no rent therefor beyond the amount of the land -revenue thereof and 
the rates and cesses for the time being chargeable thereon, it may be presumed that 
he has fulfilled the conditions of clause (a) of sub-section (1). 
 (3) The words in that clause denoting natural relationship denote also 
relationship by adoption, including therein the customary appointment of an heir and 
relationship, by the usage of a religious community. 
6. Right of occupancy of other tenants recorded as having the right before 
passing of Punjab Tenancy Act, 1868 .– A tenant recorded in a record -of-rights 
sanctioned by the 
30
[Provincial Government], before the twenty -first day of October, 
1868, as a tenant having a right of occupancy in land whic h he has continuously 
occupied from the time of the preparation of that record, shall be deemed to have a 
right of occupancy in that land unless the contrary has been established by a decree 
of a competent Court in a suit instituted before the passing of this Act. 
7. Right of occupancy in land taken in exchange .– If the tenant has 
voluntarily exchanged the land, or any portion of the land, for merely occupied by 
him for other land belonging to the same landlord, the land taken in exchange shall 
be held to b e subject to the same right of occupancy as that to which the land given 
in exchange would have been subject if the exchange had not taken place. 
8. Establishment of right of occupancy on grounds other than those 
expressly stated in Act .– Nothing in the fo regoing sections of this Chapter shall 
preclude any person from establishing a right of occupancy on any ground other than 
the grounds specified in those sections. 
9. Right of occupancy not to be acquired by mere lapse of time .– No tenant 
shall acquire a right of occupancy by mere lapse of time. 
10. Right of occupancy not to be acquired by joint owner in land held in 
joint ownership.– In the absence of a custom to the contrary, no one of several joint 
                                                 
30Substituted  for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
owners of land shall acquire a right of occupancy under this Chapter in land jointly 
owned by them. 
11. Continuance of existing occupancy rights .– Notwithstanding anything in 
the foregoing sections of this Chapter, a tenant who immediately before the 
commencement of this Act has a right of occupancy in any land  under an enactment 
specified in any line of the first column of the following table shall, when this Act 
comes into force, be held to have, for all the purposes of this Act, a right of 
occupancy in that land under the enactment specified in the same line of the second 
column of the table:– 
PUNJAB TENANCY ACT, 
1868 
THIS ACT 
First Column Second Column 
Section Clause Section Sub-
section 
Clause 
5 (1) 5 (1) (a) 
5 (2) 5 (1) (b) 
5 (3) 5 (1) (c) 
5 (4) 5 (1) (d) 
6 .. 6 .. .. 
8 .. 8 .. .. 
 
CHAPTER III 
RENT 
Rents generally 
12. Respective rights of landlord and tenant to produce .– (1) The rent for the 
time being payable in respect of a tenancy shall be the first charge on the produce 
thereof. 
 (2) A tenant shall be entitled to tend, cut and harvest the produc e of his 
tenancy in due course of husbandry without any interference on the part of his 
landlord. 
 (3) Except where rent is taken by division of the produce, the tenant shall 
be entitled to the exclusive possession of the produce. 
 (4) Where rent is taken by division of the produce:– 
(a) the tenant shall be entitled to the exclusive possession of the whole 
produce until it is divided; 
(b) the landlord shall be entitled to be present at, and take part in, the 
division of the produce; and 
(c) when the produce has been divided, the landlord shall be entitled to the 
possession of his share thereof. 
13. Commutation and alteration of rent .– (1) Where rent is taken by any of the 
following methods, namely:– 
(a) by division or appraisement of the produce, 
(b) by rates fixed with reference to the nature of the crops grown, 
(c) by a rate on a recognised measure of area, 
(d) by a rent in gross on the tenancy, or 
(e) partly by one of the methods specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this 
sub-section and partly by anoth er or others of them, one of those 
methods shall not be commuted in whole or in part into another without 
the consent of both landlord and tenant. 
 (2) In the absence of a contract or a decree or order of competent 
authority to the contrary, a tenant whose  rent is taken by any of the methods 
specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of sub -section (1), or by the methods specified in 
clause (d) of that sub -section, shall not be liable to pay for a tenancy rent at any 
higher amount, as the case may be, than the r ate or amount payable in respect of 
the tenancy for the preceding agricultural year. 
14. Payments for land occupied without consent of landlord .– Any person in 
possession of land occupied without the consent of the landlord shall be liable to pay 
for the u se or occupation of that land at the rate of rent payable in the preceding 
agricultural year, or, if rent was not payable in that year, at such rate as the Court 
may determine to be fair and equitable. 
15. Collection of rents of undivided property .– When two or more persons are 
landlords of a tenant in respect of the same tenancy, the tenant shall not be bound to 
pay part of the rent of his tenancy to one of those persons and part to another. 
31
[15-A. Rights and liabilities regarding rent and government dues .– Subject to 
the provisions of paragraph 25 of the Land Reforms Regulation 
32
[1972], the landlord 
and the tenant shall share the produce in the same ratio in which they used to share 
it on the 20th day of December, 1971.] 
Produce-rents 
16. Presumption with  respect to produce removed before division or 
appraisement.– Where rent is taken by division or appraisement of the produce, if 
the tenant removes any portion of the produce at such a time or in such a manner as 
to prevent the due division or appraisement  thereof, or deals therewith in a manner 
contrary to established usage, the produce may be deemed to have been as the 
fullest crop of the same description on similar land in the neighbourhood for that 
harvest. 
17. Appointment of referee for division or app raisement.– If either the 
landlord or the tenant neglects to attend, either personally, or by agent, at the proper 
time for making the division or appraisement of the produce, or if there is a dispute 
                                                 
31Substituted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1975 (XXXIX of 1975), w.e.f.25.6.1975, s.2; and published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), which had earlier been added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), 
w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
32Substituted for the figure “115” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.3; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
about the division or appraisement, a revenue -officer m ay, on the application of 
either party, appoint such person as he thinks fit to be a referee to divide or appraise 
the produce. 
18. Appointment of assessors and procedure of referee .– (1) When a 
Revenue-Officer appoints referee under the last foregoing sec tion, he may, in his 
discretion, give him instructions with respect to the association with himself of any 
other persons as assessors, the number, qualifications and selection of those 
assessors and the procedure to be followed in making the division or appraisement. 
 (2) The referee so appointed shall make the division or appraisement in 
accordance with any instructions which he may have received from the Revenue -
officer under the last foregoing sub-section. 
 (3) Before making the division or appraisement,  the referee shall give 
notice to the landlord and the tenant of the time and place at which the division or 
appraisement will be made, but if either the landlord or the tenant fails to attend 
either personally or by agent, the referee may proceed ex parte. 
 (4) For the purpose of making the division or appraisement, the referee, 
with his assessors, if any, may enter upon any land on which or into any building in 
which the produce is. 
19. Procedure after division or appraisement .– (1) The result of the divi sion or 
appraisement shall be recorded and signed by the referee, and the record shall be 
submitted to the Revenue-Officer. 
 (2) The Revenue-Officer shall consider the record, and, after such further 
inquiry, if any, as he may deem necessary, shall make an  order either confirming or 
varying the division or appraisement. 
 (3) The Revenue-Officer shall also make such order as to the costs of the 
reference as he thinks fit. 
 (4) The costs may include the remuneration of the referee and of the 
assessors, if any , and may be levied from the applicant before the appointment of 
the referee subject to adjustment at the close of the proceedings. 
20. Enhancement of produce rents of occupancy tenants .– Where the rent of 
a tenant having a right of occupancy in any land i s a share of the produce, or of the 
appraised value thereof, with or without an addition in money, or is paid according to 
rates fixed with reference to the nature of the crops grown, or is a rent in gross 
payable in kind, the tenant shall be entitled to occupy the land at that rent: 
 Provided that, when the land or any part thereof previously not irrigated or 
flooded becomes irrigated or flooded, the rent in respect of the land or part may, 
subject to the provisions of this Act, be enhanced to the share or  rates, or with 
reference to the rent in gross, as the case may be, paid by tenants, having a similar 
right of occupancy, for irrigated or flooded land of a similar description and with 
similar advantages. 
21. Reduction of rents referred to in the last for egoing section .– When the 
land, or any part of the land, held by a tenant having a right of occupancy to whom 
the last foregoing section applies ceases to be irrigated or flooded, the rent payable 
in respect of the land or part may be reduced to the share or rates, or with reference 
to the rent in gross, as the case may be, paid by tenants, having a similar right of 
occupancy, for unirrigated or unflooded land of similar description and with similar 
advantages. 
Cash-rents paid by tenants having right of occupancy 
22. Enhancement of cash -rents of occupancy tenants .– (1) Where a tenant 
having a right of occupancy pays his rent entirely by a cash -rate on a recognized 
measure of area or by a cash rent in gross on his tenancy, the rent may be 
enhanced on the grou nd that after deduction therefrom of the land -revenue of, and 
the rates and cesses chargeable on the tenancy, it is– 
(a) if the tenant belongs to the class specified in clause (a) of sub -section 
(1) of section 5, less than two annas per rupee of the amount  of the 
land-revenue; 
(b) if he belongs to any of the classes specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) 
of that sub-section, less than six annas per rupee of the amount of the 
land-revenue; 
(c) if he belongs to the class specified in section 6, or if his right  of 
occupancy is established under section 8 and his rent is not regulated 
by contract, less than twelve annas per rupee of the amount of the 
land-revenue. 
 (2) In a case to which sub -section (1) applies, the rent may be enhanced 
to an amount not exceeding  two, six or twelve annas per rupee of the amount of the 
land-revenue, as the case may be, in addition to the amount of the land -revenue of 
the tenancy and the rates and cesses chargeable thereon. 
 
33
[(3) For the purposes of this section, a muqarraridar sha ll be deemed to be 
a tenant of the class specified in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 5.] 
23. Reduction of rent referred to in the last foregoing section .– The rent 
payable by a tenant to whom the last foregoing section applies may be reduced on 
the ground that the productive powers of his tenancy have been decreased by a 
cause beyond his control. 
General provisions relating to suits for enhancement or reduction of rent 
24. Enhancement and reduction of rent by suit .– (1) A Revenue Court, on the 
suit of either landlord or tenant, may, subject to the provisions of this and other 
sections of this Act, enhance or reduce the rent of any tenant having a right of 
occupancy. 
 (2) Where a decree for the enhancement of the rent of such a tenant has 
been passed under the Punjab Tenancy Act, 1868, a suit for a further enhancement 
of his rent shall not lie till the expiration of five years from the date of the decree, 
unless in the meantime the local area in which the land comprised in the decree is 
situate has b een generally reassessed and the revenue payable in respect of that 
land has been increased. 
                                                 
33Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.3; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated 22.3.1926. 
 (3) Subject to the provisions of sub -section (2), a suit instituted for the 
enhancement of the rent of a tenant having a right of occupancy shall not be 
entertained in either of the following cases, namely:– 
(a) if within the ten years next preceding its institution his rent has been 
commuted under section 13 or enhanced under this section; 
(b) if within that period a decree has been passed under this Act 
dismissing on the merits a suit for the enhancement of his rent;  
unless the land or some part of the land comprised in his tenancy, not having 
been irrigated, or flooded at the time of such commutation, enhancement or 
decree, has become irrigated or flooded. 
 
34
[(4) For the purposes of this section a muqarraridar shall be deemed to be 
a tenant having a right of occupancy.] 
25. Discretion as to extent of enhancement or reduction .– In enhancing or 
reducing the rent of any land, under the foregoing provisions of this C hapter, the 
Court shall, within the limits prescribed by those provisions, enhance or reduce the 
rent to such an amount as it considers fair and equitable, but shall not in any case fix 
the rent at a sum less than the amount of the land -revenue of the land and the rates 
and cesses chargeable thereon. 
26. Time for enhancement or reduction to take effect .– (1) Unless the Court 
decreeing an enhancement of rent otherwise directs, the enhancement shall take 
effect from the commencement of the agricultural year n ext following the date of the 
decree. 
 (2) A Court decreeing a reduction of rent shall specify in the decree the 
date on and from which the reduction is to take effect. 
Adjustment of rents expressed in terms of the land-revenue. 
27. Adjustment of rents exp ressed in terms of the land -revenue.– (1) Where 
the rent of a tenancy is the whole or a share of the land -revenue thereof, with or 
without an addition in money, kind or service and the land -revenue of the holding in 
which the tenancy is situate is altered,  a Revenue -Officer having authority under 
section 
35
[67] of the Punjab Land -Revenue Act, 
36
[1967], to determine the land -
revenue payable in respect of the several holdings comprised in the estate in which 
the tenancy is situate shall determine also the amoun t of the land -revenue of the 
tenancy, or the proportionate share thereof, payable by the tenant as rent. 
 (2) Where an addition referred to in sub -section (1) is a percentage fixed 
with reference to the land -revenue of the tenancy, or the whole or a share of the 
rates and cesses chargeable thereon, or both, the Revenue -Officer shall in like 
manner from time to time alter the amount of the addition in proportion to any 
alteration of such land-revenue or rates and cesses. 
                                                 
34Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.4; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated 22.3.1926. 
35Substituted for the figure “56” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.4; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
36Substituted  for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.5; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315.. 
 (3) The sum or sums determined under  the foregoing sub -sections, 
together with any addition previously payable other than the additions referred to in 
sub-section (2), shall be the rent payable in respect of the tenancy until there is 
again an alteration of the land-revenue thereof or of the rates and cesses chargeable 
thereon or until the rent is enhanced by a suit under this Act. 
 (4) An alteration of rent under this section shall not be deemed an 
enhancement or reduction of rent within the meaning of this Act. 
 
37
[(5) For the purposes of th is section a muqarraridar shall be deemed to be 
a tenant having a right of occupancy.] 
38
[Adjustment of rents paid by occupancy tenants in Attock District.] 
39
[27-A. Adjustment of rents paid by occupancy tenants in Attock District .– (1) 
Where a tenant having a right of occupancy in land in the Attock District pays wholly 
or partly in cash a rent not falling within the scope of section 27 and the land-revenue 
of the holding in which the tenancy is situate is altered– 
 a Revenue -Officer having authority under s ection 
40
[67] of the Punjab Land -
Revenue Act, 
41
[1967], to determine the land-revenue payable in respect of the 
several holdings comprised in the estate in which the tenancy is situate, may, 
by written order, and whether the rent was fixed by agreement or ot herwise, 
and either upon the application of such tenant, or his landlord, or of his own 
motion increase or diminish such rent if wholly payable in cash, or such 
portion thereof as is payable in cash, to such extent as appears to the 
Revenue-Officer to be p roper having regard to the matters specified in sub -
section (2). 
 (2) In increasing or diminishing the rent of a tenancy under the provisions 
of sub-section (1) the Revenue-Officer shall, for the purpose of deciding the extent of 
such increase or diminution, take into consideration only– 
(i) the land -revenue of and the rates and cesses chargeable on the 
tenancy before the land -revenue of the holding in which it is situated 
was altered; 
(ii) the land -revenue of and the rates and cesses chargeable on the 
tenancy after such alteration; and  
(iii) the methods by which the assessments of the land -revenue in force 
before and after such alteration were calculated and distributed over 
the several holdings comprised in the estate in which the tenancy is 
situated. 
                                                 
37Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.5; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated 22.3.1926. 
38Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.6; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
39Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.6; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
40Substituted for the figure “56” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s. 4; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
41Substituted for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.5; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
 (3) The rent determined as aforesaid shall be the rent payable in respect 
of the tenancy until there is again an alteration of the land -revenue thereof or of the 
rates or cesses chargeable thereon, or until the rent is enhanced or reduced by a 
suit under this Act. 
 (4) For the purposes of this section a muqarraridar shall be deemed to be 
a tenant having a right of occupancy. 
 (5) An alteration of rent under this section shall not be deemed an 
enhancement or reduction of rent within the meaning of this Act.]. 
Alteration of rent on alteration of area 
28. Alteration of rent on alteration of area.– (1) Every tenant shall– 
(a) be liable to pay additional rent for all land proved to be in excess of the 
area for which rent has been previously paid by him, unless it i s proved 
that the excess is due to the addition to his tenancy of land which, 
having previously belonged to the tenancy, was lost by diluvion or 
otherwise without any reduction of the rent being made; and 
(b) be entitled to an abatement of rent in respect of any deficiency proved 
to exist in the area of his tenancy as compared with the area for which 
rent has been previously paid by him, unless it is proved that the 
deficiency is due to the loss of land which was added to the area of the 
tenancy by alluvion  or otherwise, and that an addition has not been 
made to the rent in respect of the addition to the area. 
 (2) In determining the area for which rent has been previously paid, the 
Court shall have regard to the following, among other matters, namely:– 
(a) the origin and conditions of the tenant’s occupancy, for instance 
whether the rent was a rent in gross or the entire tenancy; 
(b) whether the tenant has been allowed to hold additional land in 
consideration of an addition to his total rent or otherwise wit h the 
knowledge and consent of the landlord; and  
(c) the length of time during which there has been no dispute as to rent or 
area. 
 (3) In adding to or abating rent under this section, the Court shall add to or 
abate the rent to such an amount as it deems  to be fair and equitable, and shall 
specify in its decree the date on and from which the addition or abatement is to take 
effect. 
 (4) An addition to or abatement of rent under this section shall not be 
deemed an enhancement or reduction of rent within the meaning of this Act. 
Remission 
29. Remission of rent by Courts decreeing arrears .– Notwithstanding anything 
in the foregoing sections of this Chapter, if it appears to a Court making a decree for 
an arrear of rent that the area of a tenancy has been so d iminished by diluvion or 
otherwise, or that the produce thereof has been so diminished by drought, hail, 
deposit of sand or other like calamity, that the full amount of rent payable by the 
tenant cannot be equitably decreed, the Court may, with the previou s sanction of the 
Collector, allow such remission from the rent payable by the tenant as may appear to 
it to be just. 
30. Remission and suspension of rent consequent on like treatment of land–
revenue.–
42
[(1) Whenever the payment of the whole or any part of the land-revenue 
payable in respect of any land is remitted or suspended, a Revenue -Officer may, if 
the rent be payable in cash or be rent payable in kind of which the amount is fixed, 
by order, remit or suspend, as the case may be, the payment of the rent  of that land 
to an amount which may bear the same proportion to the whole of the rent payable in 
respect of the land as the land -revenue of which payment has been remitted or 
suspended bears to the whole land-revenue payable in respect of land: 
 Provided that in the case of an occupancy tenant, whose rent is of the nature 
hereinbefore in this sub -section described, the remission or suspension of the land -
revenue payable in respect of the land shall, in the absence of a written order by a 
Revenue-Officer to  the contrary carry with it a proportionate remission or 
suspension, as the case may be, of his rent. 
 When the payment of the rent of any kind has been suspended under this 
clause it shall remain under suspension until the Collector orders the revenue of that 
land to be realized.]. 
 (2) An order passed under sub -section (1) shall not be liable to be 
contested by suit in any Court. 
 (3) A suit shall not lie for the recovery of any rent of which the payment 
has been remitted or during the period of suspensio n, of any rent of which the 
payment has been suspended. 
 (4) Where the payment of rent has been suspended, the period during 
which the suspension has continued shall be excluded in the computation of the 
period of limitation prescribed for a suit for the recovery of the rent. 
 
43
[(5) If the landlord collects from a tenant any rent of which the payment has 
been remitted, or is under suspension, the Revenue -Officer may recover from the 
landlord the amount or value of the rent so collected, and may also recover  by way 
of penalty a further sum not exceeding such amount or value, and may cause to be 
refunded to the tenant the amount or value of the rent so collected from him.]. 
 (6) The provisions of this section relating to the remission and suspension 
of the pay ment of rent may be applied, so far as they can be made applicable, to 
land of which the land -revenue has been released, compounded for or redeemed in 
any case in which if the land -revenue in respect of the land had not been released, 
compounded for, or redeemed, the whole or any part of it might, in the opinion of the 
Revenue-Officer, be remitted or suspended under the rules for the time being in 
force for regulating the remission and suspension of land-revenue. 
                                                 
42Substituted by the Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887, Amendment Act, 1906 (I of 1906). 
43Substituted ibid. 
 
44
[(7) Any sum of which the recovery is orde red under sub -section (5) on 
account of rent or penalty may be recovered by the Collector as if it were an arrear of 
land-revenue.]. 
Deposits 
31. Power to deposit rent in certain cases with Revenue -Officer.– In either of 
the following cases, namely:– 
(a) when a landlord refuses to receive or grant a receipt for, any rent 
payable in money when tendered to him by a tenant; 
(b) when a tenant is in doubt as to the person entitled to receive rent 
payable in money, 
the tenant may apply to a Revenue -Officer for leave to deposit the rent in his 
office, and the Revenue -Officer shall receive the deposit, if, after examining 
the applicant, he is satisfied that there is sufficient ground for the application 
and if the applicant pays the fee, if any, chargeable for the i ssue of the notice 
next hereinafter referred to. 
32. Effect of depositing rent .– (1) When a deposit has been so received it shall 
be deemed to be a payment made by the tenant to his landlord in respect of rent 
due. 
 (2) The Revenue -Officer receiving the de posit shall give notice of the 
receipt thereof to every person who, he has reason to believe, claims or is entitled to 
the deposit, and may pay the amount thereof to any person appearing to him to be 
entitled thereto, or may, if he thinks fit, retain the d eposit pending the decision of a 
competent Court as to the person so entitled. 
 (3) No suit or other proceeding shall be instituted against 
45
[Government, or 
against any servant of the State], in respect of anything done by a Revenue -Officer 
under this section, but nothing in this sub-section shall prevent any person entitled to 
receive the amount of any such deposit from recovering it from a person to whom it 
has paid by a Revenue-Officer. 
Recovery of rent from attached produce 
33. Recovery of rent from att ached produce.– (1) If an order is made by any 
Court for the attachment of the produce of a tenancy, or of any part of a tenancy, the 
landlord may apply to the Revenue -Officer by whom the attachment is to be or has 
been made to sell the produce and pay to him out of the proceeds of the sale thereof 
the amount or value of– 
(a) any rent which has fallen due to him in respect of the tenancy within 
the year immediately preceding the application, and 
                                                 
44Added ibid. 
45Substituted  for the words “the Crown, or against any officer of the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, 
(P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6.1962, s.2 and Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 
3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
(b) the rent which will be falling due after the harvesting of the produce and 
is chargeable against it. 
 (2) The Revenue -Officer shall give the person at whose instance the 
attachment was made an opportunity of showing cause why the application of the 
landlord should not be granted, and, if he finds the landlord’s c laim to the whole or 
any part of the rent to be proved, he shall cause the produce or such portion thereof 
as he may deem necessary to be sold, and shall apply the proceeds of the sale in 
the first instance to satisfy the claim. 
 (3) The finding of the Rev enue-Officer under sub -section (2) shall have 
the force of a decree in a suit between the landlord and the tenant. 
Leases for period exceeding term of assessment of land-revenue 
34. Treatment of leases for period exceeding or equal to term of assessment 
of land-revenue.– (1) Where a lease has been granted, or an agreement has been 
entered into, by a land -owner in respect of any land assessed to land -revenue fixing 
for a period exceeding the term for which the land -revenue has been assessed, the 
rent or othe r sum payable in respect of the land under the lease or agreement, and 
that term has expired, the lease or agreement shall be voidable– 
(a) at the option of the land-owner if the land-revenue of the land has been 
enhanced and the person to whom the lease h as been granted or with 
whom the agreement has been entered into refuses to pay such rent or 
other sum, as a Revenue Court, on the suit of the land -owner 
determines to be fair and equitable 
46
[or a Revenue -Officer under the 
provisions of section 27-A has determined to be proper]; and 
where the relation of landlord and tenant exists between the grantor and 
grantee of the lease or between the persons who entered into the agreement– 
(b) at the option of the tenant if the land -revenue of the land has been 
reduced and the landlord refuses to accept such rent as a Revenue 
Court, on the suit of the tenant, determines to be fair and equitable 
47
[or 
a Revenue -Officer under the provisions of section 27 -A has 
determined to be proper]. 
 (2) Any agreement relative to the o ccupation, rent, profits or produce of 
any land which has been entered into for the term of the currency of an assessment 
shall, unless a contrary intention clearly appears in the agreement or the agreement 
is terminated by consent of parties or course of law, continue in force until a revised 
assessment takes effect. 
CHAPTER IV 
RELINQUISHMENT, ABANDONMENT AND EJECTMENT 
Relinquishment 
                                                 
46Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.7; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
47Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.7; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
35. Relinquishment by tenant for a fixed term .– A tenant holding for a fixed 
term under a contract or a decree or order of c ompetent authority may relinquish his 
tenancy without notice at the end of that term. 
36. Relinquishment by any other tenant .– (1) Any other tenant may relinquish 
his tenancy by giving verbally or in writing to his landlord, or to his landlord’s agent, 
on or before the fifteenth day of January in any year, notice of his intention to 
relinquish the tenancy at the end of the agricultural year then current. 
 (2) The tenant may, instead of or in addition to, giving the notice in the 
manner mentioned in sub -section (1), apply to a Revenue -Officer on or before the 
date aforesaid to cause the notice to be served on the landlord and the Revenue -
Officer on receiving the cost of service from the tenant, shall cause the notice to be 
served as soon as may be. 
 (3) If th e tenant does not give notice in the manner prescribed in this 
section, he shall be liable to pay the rent of his tenancy for any part of the ensuing 
agricultural year during which the tenancy is not let by the landlord to some other 
person or is not cultivated by the landlord himself. 
37. Relinquishment of part only of a tenancy .– A tenant cannot, without the 
consent of his landlord, relinquish a part only of his tenancy. 
Abandonment 
38. Abandonment of tenancy by occupancy tenant .– (1) If a tenant having a  
right of occupancy fails for more than one year without sufficient cause to cultivate 
his tenancy, either by himself or some other person, and to arrange for payment of 
the rent thereof as it falls due, the right of occupancy shall be extinguished from th e 
end of that year. 
 
48
[(2) For the purposes of this section, a muqarraridar shall be deemed to be 
a tenant having a right of occupancy.]. 
Liability to ejectment 
39. Grounds of ejectment of occupancy tenant .– (1) A tenant having a right of 
occupancy shall b e liable to be ejected from his tenancy on any of the following 
grounds, namely:– 
(a) that he has used the land comprised in the tenancy in a manner which 
renders it unfit for the purposes for which he held it; 
(b) where rent is payable in kind, that he has without sufficient cause failed 
to cultivate that land in the manner or to the extent customary in the 
locality in which the land is situate; 
(c) when a decree for an arrear of rent in respect of his tenancy has been 
passed against him and remains unsatisfied. 
 
49
[(2) For the purposes of this section a muqarraridar shall be deemed to be 
tenant having a right of occupancy.]. 
                                                 
48Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.8; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated 22.3.1926. 
40. Grounds of ejectment of tenant for a fixed term .– A tenant not having a 
right of occupancy but holding for a fixed term under a co ntract or a decree or order 
of competent authority, shall be liable to be ejected from his tenancy at the expiration 
of that term, and, on any of the following grounds, before the expiration thereof, 
namely:– 
(a) that he has used the land comprised in the tenancy in a manner which 
renders it unfit for the purposes for which he held it; 
(b) where rent is payable in kind, that he has without sufficient cause failed 
to cultivate that land in the manner or to the extent customary in the 
locality in which the land is situate; 
(c) on any ground which would justify ejectment under the contract, decree 
or order. 
41. Ejectment of tenant from year to year .– A tenant who has not a right of 
occupancy, and does not hold for a fixed term under a contract or a decree or or der 
of competent authority, may be ejected at the end of any agricultural year. 
Procedure on ejectment 
42. Restriction on ejectment .– A tenant shall not be ejected otherwise than in 
execution of a decree for ejectment, except in the following cases, namely:– 
(a) when a decree for an arrear of rent in respect of his tenancy has been 
passed against him and remains unsatisfied; 
(b) when the tenant has not a right of occupancy and does not hold for a 
fixed term under a contract or a decree or order of competent authority. 
43. Application to Revenue -Officer for ejectment .– In any such case as is 
mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b) of the last foregoing section, the landlord may 
apply to a Revenue -Officer for the ejectment of the tenant in the case mentioned in 
the former clause or for the service on the tenant of a notice of ejectment in the case 
mentioned in the latter clause. 
44. Ejectment for failure to satisfy decree for arrear of rent .– (1) On receiving 
the application in any such case as is mentioned in cl ause (a) of section 42, the 
Revenue-Officer shall, after such inquiry with respect to the existence of the arrear 
as he deems necessary, cause a notice to be served on the tenant, stating the date 
of the decree and the amount due thereunder, and informing him that if he does not 
pay that amount to the Revenue -Officer within fifteen days from receipt of the notice 
he will be ejected from the land. 
 (2) If the amount is not so paid, the Revenue -Officer shall, subject to the 
provisions of this Act with respect  to the payment of compensation, order the 
ejectment of the tenant unless good cause is shown to the contrary. 
45. Ejectment of tenant from year to year by notice .– (1) On receiving the 
application of the landlord in any such case as is mentioned in clause  (b) of section 
                                                                                                                                                        
49Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.9; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated 22.3.1926. 
42, the Revenue-Officer shall, if the application is in order and not open to objection 
on the face of it, cause a notice of ejectment to be served on the tenant. 
 (2) A notice under sub -section (1) shall not be served after the fifteenth 
day of November in any 
50
[agricultural] year. 
 (3) The notice shall specify the name of the landlord on whose application 
it is issued, and describe the land to which it relates, and shall inform the tenant that 
he must vacate the land before the first day o f May next following, or that, if he 
intends to contest his liability to ejectment, he must institute a suit for this purpose in 
a Revenue Court within two months from the date of the service of the notice. 
 (4) The notice shall also inform the tenant that  if he does not intend to 
contest his liability to be ejected and he has any claim for compensation on 
ejectment, he should within two months from the date of the service of the notice 
prefer his claim to the Revenue-Officer having authority under the next following sub-
section to order his ejectment in the circumstances described in that sub-section. 
 (5) If within two months from the date of the service of the notice the 
tenant does not institute a suit to contest his liability to be ejected, a Revenue -
Officer, on the application of the landlord, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act 
with respect to the payment of compensation, order the ejectment of the tenant: 
 Provided that the Revenue-Officer shall not make the order until he is satisfied 
that the notice was duly served on the tenant. 
 (6) If within those two months the tenant institutes a suit to contest his 
liability to be ejected and fails in the suit, the Court by which the suit is determined 
shall by its decree direct the ejectment of the tenant. 
46. Power to make rules .– The 
51
[Board of Revenue] may make rules 
prescribing– 
(a) the form and language of applications and notices under the two last 
foregoing sections; and 
(b) the manner in which those applications and notices are to be signed 
and attested. 
General provisions respecting ejectment 
47. Time for ejectment.– A decree or order for the ejectment of a tenant shall not 
be executed at any other time than between the first day of May and the fifteenth day 
of June (both days inclusive), unless the Court making the decree or where the order 
is made under section 44, the officer making the order, otherwise directs. 
48. Relief against forfeiture .– (1) If in a suit for the ejectment of a tenant on 
either of the grounds mentioned in clauses (a) and  (b) of section 39 or of section 40 
it appears to the Court that injury caused by the act or omission on which the suit is 
based is capable of being remedied, or that an award of compensation will be 
sufficient satisfaction to the landlord therefor, the Co urt may, instead of making a 
                                                 
50Inserted by the Amendi ng Act, 1891 (XII of 1891),s.2 and second schedule; and published in the Gazette of India, dated 
21.3.1891. 
51Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709-789. 
decree for the ejectment of the tenant, order him to remedy the injury within a period 
to be fixed in the order, or order him to pay into Court, within such a period, such 
compensation as the Court thinks fit. 
 (2) The Court ma y from time to time, for special reasons, extend a period 
fixed by it under sub-section (1). 
 (3) If within the period, or extended period, as the case may be, fixed by 
the Court under this section, the injury is remedied or the compensation is paid, a 
decree for the ejectment of the tenant shall not be made. 
49. Rights of ejected tenants in respect of crops and land prepared for 
sowing.– (1) Where at the time of the proposed ejectment of a tenant from any land, 
his uncut or ungathered crops are standing on  any part thereof, he shall not be 
ejected from that part until the crops have ripened and he has been allowed a 
reasonable time to harvest them. 
 (2) The Court or Revenue -Officer decreeing or ordering the ejectment of 
the tenant may, on the application of  the landlord, determine any dispute arising in 
consequence of the provisions of sub -section (1) between the landlord and tenant or 
between the landlord and any person entitled to harvest the crops of the tenant, and 
may in its or his discretion– 
(a) direct that the tenant pay for the longer occupation of the land secured 
to him under sub-section (1) such rent as may be fair and equitable, or 
(b) determine the value of the tenant’s uncut and ungathered crops, and, 
on payment thereof by the landlord to the C ourt or Revenue -Officer, 
forthwith eject the tenant. 
 (3) When a tenant for whose ejectment proceedings have been taken has, 
conformably with local usage, prepared for sowing any land comprised in his 
tenancy, but has not sown or planted crops on that land , he shall be entitled to 
receive from the landlord before ejectment a fair equivalent in money for the labour 
and capital expended by him in so preparing the land, and the Court or Revenue -
Officer before which or whom the proceedings are pending shall, on  the application 
of the tenant, determine the sum payable to the tenant under this sub -section and 
stay his ejectment until that sum has been paid to him. 
Relief for wrongful dispossession 
50. Relief of wrongful dispossession or ejectment .– In either of th e following 
cases, namely:– 
(a) if a tenant has been dispossessed without his consent of his tenancy or 
any part thereof otherwise than in execution of a decree or than in 
pursuance of an order under section 44 or section 45, 
(b) if a tenant who, not havin g instituted a suit under section 45, has been 
ejected from his tenancy or any part thereof in pursuance of an order 
under that section denies his liability to be ejected, 
the tenant may, within one year from the date of his dispossession or ejectment, 
institute a suit for recovery of possession or occupancy, or for compensation, or for 
both. 
52
[50-A. Bar to civil suits .– No person whose ejectment has been ordered by a 
Revenue Court under section 45, sub -section (6), or whose suit has been dismissed 
under se ction 50, may institute a suit in a Civil Court to contest his liability to 
ejectment, or to recover possession or occupancy rights, or to recover 
compensation.]. 
51. Bar of relief by suit under section 9, Act I of 1877 .– Possession of a 
tenancy or of any land comprised in a tenancy shall not be recoverable under section 
9 of the Specific Relief Act, 1877, by a tenant dispossessed thereof. 
Power to vary dates prescribed by this Chapter 
52. Power of Provincial Government to fix dates for certain purposes .– (1) 
The 
53
[Provincial Government] may, for all or any of the territories under its 
administration, by notification, fix for the purposes of sections 36, 46 and 47, or of 
any of those sections, any other dates instead of those specified therein. 
 (2) A notifi cation under this section shall not take effect till after the 
expiration of six months from the date of the publication thereof. 
CHAPTER V 
ALIENATION OF, AND SUCCESSION TO, RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY 
Alienation 
54
[52-A. Provisions of Chapter V not to apply to muqa rraridars.– The provisions 
of this Chapter shall not apply to muqarraridars.]. 
53. Private transfer of right of occupancy under section 5 by tenant .– (1) A 
tenant having right of occupancy under section 5 may transfer that right by sale, gift 
or mortgage, subject to the conditions mentioned in the section. 
 (2) If he intends to transfer the right by sale, gift, mortgage by conditional 
sale or usufructuary mortgage, he shall cause notice of his intention to be served on 
his landlord through a Revenue -Officer, and shall defer proceeding with the transfer 
for a period of one month from the date on which the notice is served. 
 (3) Within that period of one month the landlord may claim to purchase the 
right at such value as a Revenue -Officer may, on application m ade to him in this 
behalf, fix. 
 (4) When the application to the Revenue-Officer is to fix the value of a right 
of occupancy which is already mortgaged, he shall fix the value of the right as if it 
were not mortgaged. 
 (5) The landlord shall be deemed to h ave purchased the right if he pays 
the value to the Revenue-Officer within such time as that officer appoints. 
                                                 
52Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1929 (V of 1929), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 6.9.1929. 
53Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
54Inserted by the Punjab  Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.10; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
 (6) On the value being so paid, the right of occupancy shall be extinct, and 
the Revenue -Officer shall, on the application of the landlord, put the landlord in 
possession of the tenancy. 
 (7) If the right of occupancy was already mortgaged, the tenancy shall 
pass to the landlord unencumbered by the mortgage, but the mortgage -debt shall be 
a charge on the purchase money. 
 (8) If there is no such ch arge as aforesaid the Revenue -Officer shall, 
subject to any directions which he may receive from any Court, pay the purchase -
money to the tenant. 
 (9) If there is such a charge, the Revenue -Officer shall, subject as 
aforesaid, either apply in discharge of the mortgage-debt so much of the purchase -
money as is required for that purpose and pay the balance, if any, to the tenant, or 
retain the purchase-money pending the decision of a Civil Court as to the person or 
persons entitled thereto. 
 (10) Where there a re several landlords of a tenancy, any one of them may 
be deemed to be the landlord for the purposes of this section. 
 (11) No suit or other proceeding shall be instituted against 
55
[Government, or 
against any servant of the State], in respect of anything d one by a Revenue -Officer 
under the two last foregoing sub -sections, but nothing in this sub -section shall 
prevent any person entitled to receive the whole or any part of the purchase -money 
from recovering it from a person to whom it has been paid by a Revenue-Officer. 
54. Procedure on foreclosure of mortgage of right of occupancy under 
section 5.– Where a mortgagee of a right of occupancy under section 5 proposes to 
foreclose his mortgage, or otherwise enforce his lien on the land subject to the right, 
the provisions of the last foregoing section shall, so far as they can be made 
applicable, apply as if the mortgagee were the tenant. 
55. Sale of right of occupancy under section 5 in execution of decree .– (1) A 
right of occupancy under section 5 may be sold in execution of a decree or order of a 
Court. 
 (2) But notice of an intended sale of any such right shall be given by the 
Court to the landlord, and, if at any time before the close of the day on which the sale 
takes place the landlord pays to the Court or to the officer conducting the sale a 
deposit of twenty -five per centum on the highest bid made at the sale, he shall be 
declared to be the purchaser instead of the person who made that bid. 
56. Transfer of right of occupancy under any other section than se ction 5.– 
A right of occupancy under any other section than section 5 shall not be attached or 
sold in execution of a decree or order of any Court or, without the previous consent 
in writing of the landlord, be transferred by private contract. 
57. Rights and liabilities of transferee of right of occupancy.– When a right of 
occupancy has been transferred by sale, gift or usufructuary mortgage to a person 
other than the landlord, that person shall, in respect of the land in which the right 
                                                 
55Substituted for the words “the Crown, or against any officer of the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, 
(P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 8.6.1962, s.2 and Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 
3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
subsists, have the same rights, and be subject to the same liabilities as the tenant to 
whom before the transfer of the right had belonged, and was subject to. 
58. Sub-letting.– (1) A tenant having a right of occupancy in land may, subject to 
the provisions of this Act and t o the conditions of any written contract between him 
and his landlord, sublet the land or any part thereof for any term not exceeding 
seven years. 
 (2) A person to whom land is sublet by a tenant having a right of 
occupancy therein shall, in respect of tha t land, and so far as regards the landlord, 
be, jointly with the tenant, subject to all the liabilities of the tenant under this Act. 
56
[58-A. Transfer of right of occupancy under any section of the Act by 
exchange.– (1) Any tenant with a right of occupancy  may, with the consent of his 
landlord, transfer his land to all the members of a Co -operative Society for the 
Consolidation of Holdings of which both he and his landlord are members and obtain 
from them any other land in exchange. 
 (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other enactment 
in force, any land obtained in exchange in pursuance of the provisions of sub -section 
(1) shall be deemed to be subject to the same right of occupancy as the land given 
for it in exchange.]. 
Succession 
57
[59. Succession to right of occupancy .– (1) When a Muslim tenant having a 
right of occupancy in any land dies, the right shall devolve on his heirs in accordance 
with the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat): 
 Provided that when the occupancy righ ts are held by a female as a limited 
owner under Customary Law, succession shall open out on the termination of her 
limited interest to all persons who would have been entitled to inherit the property at 
the time of the death of the last full owner had the  Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) 
been applicable at the time of such death, and in the event of the death of any of 
such persons before the termination of the limited interest mentioned above, 
succession shall devolve on his heirs and successors existing at the time of the 
termination of the limited interest of the female as if the aforesaid such person had 
died at the termination of the limited interest of the female and had been governed 
by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat): 
 Provided further that the share  which the female limited owner would have 
inherited had the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) been applicable at the time of the 
death of the last full owner shall devolve on her if she loses her limited interest in the 
property on account of her marriage or remarriage and on her heirs under the 
Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) if her limited interest terminates because of her 
death. 
 (2) When a non -Muslim tenant having a right of occupancy dies, the right 
shall devolve– 
                                                 
56Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1927 (II of 1927), w.e.f. 1.4.1920, s.2; and published in the Pu njab 
Gazette, dated 201.1928. 
57Substituted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1951 (IV of 1951), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 23.1.1951, pages 15-16. 
(a) on his male lineal descendants, if any, in the male line of descent; and 
(b) failing such descendants, on his widow, if any, until she dies or 
remarries or abandons the land or is under the provisions of this Act 
ejected therefrom; and 
(c) failing such descendants and widow or on his widowed m other, if any, 
until she dies or remarries or abandons the land or is under the 
provisions of this Act ejected therefrom; and 
(d) failing such descendants and widow, or widowed mother or if the 
deceased tenant left a widow or widowed mother, then when her 
interest terminates under clause (b) or (c) of this sub -section, on his 
male collateral relatives in the male line of descent from the common 
ancestor of the deceased tenant and those relatives: 
 Provided with respect to clause (b)  (d) of this sub -section, that the common 
ancestor occupied the land. 
Explanation.– For the purpose of clause (d), land obtained in exchange by the 
deceased tenant or any of his predecessors -in-interest in pursuance of the 
provisions of sub-section (1) of section 58-A shall be deemed to have been occupied 
by the common ancestor if the land given for it in exchange was occupied by him. 
 (3) As among descendants and collateral relatives claiming under sub -
section (2) the right shall, subject to the provisions of that sub-section, devolve as if it 
were land left by the deceased in the village in which the land subject to the right is 
situate. 
 (4) When the widow of a deceased tenant succeeds to a right of 
occupancy under sub -section (2), she shall not transfer the right by sale, gift o r 
mortgage or by sub-lease for a term exceeding one year. 
 (5) If a deceased tenant has left no person on whom his right of occupancy 
may devolve under sub -section (1) or sub -section (2), as the case may be, the right 
shall be extinguished.]. 
Irregular transfers 
60. Irregular transfer of right of occupancy. – Any transfer made of a right of 
occupancy in contravention of the foregoing provisions of this Chapter shall be 
voidable at the instance of the landlord. 
58
[CHAPTER V-A] 
59
[Succession to non-occupancy tenancies] 
60
[60-A.  Succession to non-occupancy tenancies.– (1) Where a tenant, not being 
a tenant of land reserved by the landlord for personal cultivation under any law for 
                                                 
58Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952) , w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.3; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
59Inserted by the Punjab Laws (Adaption, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), w.e.f.21.1.1955, s.2 and first schedule; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 87-108. 
60Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.3; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85 -92. By order of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan r eported in 
PLD 1990 SC 99, the provisions of whole of section 60-A of the Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887 in so far as it makes non-occupancy 
tenancy heritable in respective of the terms of the contract, were held repugnant to the Injunctions of Islam and they ce ased to 
have effect on 23rd March, 1990.  
the time being in force, not having a right of occupancy and not holding land for an y 
fixed term under a contract or a decree or order of a competent authority dies, the 
tenancy shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law for the time being 
in force, devolve on his preferred heir, if any, and failing such preferred heir on his 
eldest male child. 
Explanation.– A preferred heir means any male child named in writing by the 
deceased tenant as such. 
 (2) If the deceased tenant has left no such persons as are mentioned in 
sub-section (1) on whom the right of tenancy may devolve un der that sub -section, 
the right shall be extinguished.]. 
CHAPTER VI 
IMPROVEMENTS AND COMPENSATION 
Improvements by landlords 
61. Improvements by landlords on tenancies of occupancy tenants .– (1) 
Without the previous permission of the Collector, a landlord s hall not make an 
improvement on the tenancy of a tenant having a right of occupancy. 
 (2) If a landlord desires to make such an improvement, he may apply to 
the Collector for permission to make it, and the Collector shall, before making an 
order on the application, hear the objection, if any, of the tenant. 
 (3) In making an order on an application under sub -section (2) the 
Collector shall be guided by such rules, if any, as the 
61
[Provincial Government] may 
62
[* * *] make in this behalf. 
62. Enhancement of r ent in consideration of an improvement made by a 
landlord on the tenancy of an occupancy tenant .– (1) When a landlord has, with 
the permission mentioned in the last foregoing section, made an improvement on the 
tenancy of a tenant having a right of occupan cy, he may apply to the Collector for an 
enhancement of the rent of the tenant. 
 (2) If the tenant is a tenant to whom section 20 applies, the Collector shall 
enhance his rent to the share or rates, or with reference to the rent in gross, as the 
case may b e, paid by tenants, having a similar right of occupancy, for land of a 
similar description and with similar advantages. 
 (3) If the tenant is a tenant to whom section 22 applies, the Collector shall 
enhance his rent to such amount as the tenant would be li able to pay under that 
section if the land-revenue were reassessed. 
 (4) When the improvement ceases to exist, the Collector may, on the 
application of the tenant, reduce the tenant’s rent– 
(a) in the case of a tenant to whom sub -section (2) applies, to the share or 
rates, or with reference to the rent in gross, as the case may be, paid 
                                                 
61Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937.. 
62Omitted the words “with the previous sanction of the Governor General in Council” by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (IV of 
1914), s.2 and the Schedule; and published in the Gazette of India, dated 24.2.1914. 
by tenants, having a similar right of occupancy for land of a similar 
description and with similar advantages; and 
(b) in the case of a tenant to whom sub -section (3) applie s, to such an 
amount as the tenant would be liable to pay if the land -revenue were 
re-assessed. 
 (5) Sections 25 and 26 shall be construed as applying to an application, 
under this section, and a suit shall not lie in any Court for any purpose for which an  
application might be made under this section. 
Improvements by tenants 
63. Title of occupancy tenant to make improvements .– A tenant having a right 
of occupancy is entitled to make improvements on his tenancy. 
64. Title of tenants not having right of occup ancy to make improvements .– 
(1) A tenant not having a right of occupancy may make improvements on his tenancy 
with the assent of his landlord. 
 (2) If at any time the question arises whether or not the landlord assented 
to the making of an improvement by a  tenant not having a right of occupancy, the 
assent may be inferred from circumstances. 
65. Improvements made before commencement of this Act .– Improvements 
made by a tenant before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have 
been made in accordanc e with this Act, unless in the case of a tenant not having a 
right of occupancy it is shown that the improvement was made in contravention of a 
written agreement between him and his landlord. 
66. Improvements begun in anticipation of ejectment .– A tenant e jected in 
execution of a decree, or in pursuance of a notice of ejectment, shall not be entitled 
to compensation for any improvement begun by him after the institution of the suit, or 
service of the notice, which resulted in his ejectment. 
67. Tender of le ase for twenty years to tenant to be a bar to right to 
compensation.– If a landlord tenders to a tenant lease of his tenancy for a term of 
not less than twenty years from the date of the tender at the rent then paid by the 
tenant or of such other rent as m ay be agreed on, the tender, if accepted by the 
tenant, shall bar any claim by him to compensation in respect of improvement 
previously made on the tenancy. 
68. Liability to pay compensation for improvements to tenants on ejectment 
or on enhancement of his  rent.– Subject to the foregoing provisions of this 
Chapter, a tenant who has made an improvement on his tenancy in accordance with 
this Act shall not be ejected, and the rent payable by him shall not be enhanced, until 
he has received compensation for the improvement. 
Compensation for disturbance of clearing tenants 
69. Compensation for disturbance of clearing tenants .– (1) A tenant who has 
cleared and brought under cultivation waste land in which he has not a right of 
occupancy shall, if ejected from that  land, be entitled to receive from the landlord as 
compensation for disturbance, in addition to any compensation for improvements, a 
sum to be determined by Revenue Court or Revenue -Officer in accordance with the 
merits of the case, but not exceeding five years’ rent of the land: 
 Provided that a tenant who is a joint owner of land to which this section 
applies shall not be entitled to compensation for disturbance on ejectment from the 
land or any part thereof. 
 (2) If rent has been paid for the land by div ision or appraisement of the 
produce or by rates fixed with reference to the nature of the crops grown, or if no 
rent, or no rent other than the land -revenue of the land and the rates and cesses 
chargeable thereon, has been paid therefor, the compensation may be computed as 
if double the amount of the land-revenue of the land were the annual rent thereof: 
 
63
[Provided that in any estate of which the assessment has been confirmed on 
or after the twenty -second day of February, 1929, the compensation may be 
computed as if four times the amount of the land -revenue of the land were the 
annual rent thereof.]. 
Procedure in determining compensation 
70. Determination of compensation by Revenue Courts.– (1) In every suit by a 
tenant to contest his liability to ejectmen t or by a landlord to eject tenant or to 
enhance his rent, the Court shall direct the tenant to file a statement of his claim, if 
any, to compensation for improvement or for disturbance and of the grounds thereof. 
 (2) If the Court decrees the ejectment of  the tenant or the enhancement of 
his rent, it shall determine the amount of compensation, if any, due to the tenant, and 
shall stay execution of the decree until the landlord pays into Court that amount less 
any arrears of rent or costs proved to the sati sfaction of the Court to be due to him 
from the tenant. 
71. Determination of compensation by Revenue -Officers.– In either of the 
following cases, namely:– 
(a) when a notice has been served on a tenant under section 44, 
(b) when a notice of ejectment has be en served on a tenant under section 
45 and the tenant has not instituted a suit to contest his liability to be 
ejected, 
the tenant may apply to the Revenue -Officer having authority to order his ejectment 
under section 44 or section 45, as the case may be, to determine the amount of 
compensation due to him for improvements or for disturbance, or for both, and the 
Revenue-Officer shall determine the amount, if any, accordingly and stay the 
ejectment of the tenant until the landlord pays to the Revenue -Officer the amount so 
determined less any arrears of rent or costs proved to the satisfaction of the 
Revenue-Officer to be due to the landlord from the tenant. 
72. Matters to be regarded in assessment of compensation for 
improvements.– In estimating the compensat ion to be awarded under this Chapter 
to a tenant for an improvement, the Court or Revenue-Officer shall have regard to– 
                                                 
63Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1933 (IV of 1933), s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.10.1933, pages. 
(a) the amount by which the value or the produce of the tenancy, or the 
value of that produce is increased by the improvement; 
(b) the condition of the improvement and the probable duration of its effect; 
(c) the labour and capital required for the making of such an improvement; 
(d) any reduction or remission of rent or other advantage allowed to the 
tenant by the landlord in consideration of the improvement; and 
(e) in the case of reclamation, or of the conversion of unirrigated into 
irrigated land, the length of time during which the tenant has had the 
benefit of the improvement. 
73. Form of compensation .– (1) The compensation shall be ma de by payment 
in money, unless the parties agree that it be made in whole or in part by the grant of 
a beneficial lease of land or in some other way. 
 (2) If the parties so agree, the Court or Revenue -Officer shall make an 
order accordingly. 
Relief in case of ejectment before determination of compensation 
74. Relief in case of ejectment before determination of compensation .– (1) If 
from any cause the amount of compensation payable to a tenant– 
(a) under this Chapter for improvements or disturbance, or 
(b) under section 49 for the value of uncut or ungathered crops or the 
preparation of land for sowing, 
has not been determined before the tenant is ejected, the ejectment shall not be 
invalidated by reason of the omission, but the Court or Revenue -Officer which  
decreed or who ordered the ejectment may, on application made by the tenant within 
one year from the date of ejectment, correct the omission by making in favour of the 
tenant an order for the payment to him by the landlord of such compensation as the 
Court or Officer may determine the tenant to be entitled to. 
 (2) An order made under sub -section (1) may be executed in the same 
manner as a decree for money may be executed by a Revenue Court. 
CHAPTER VII 
JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE 
Jurisdiction 
75. Revenue-Officers.– (1) There shall be the same classes of Revenue -Officers 
under this Act as under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 
64
[1967], and, in the absence 
of any order of the 
65
[Provincial Government] to the contrary, a Revenue -Officer of 
any class having jurisdic tion within any local limits under that Act shall be a 
Revenue-Officer of the same class having jurisdiction within the same local limits 
under this Act. 
                                                 
64Substituted for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14. 8.2001, s.5; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
65Substituted for “Local Government”  by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
 (2) The expressions “Collector” and 
66
[Board of Revenue] have the same 
meaning in this Act as in the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 
67
[1967]. 
76. Applications and proceedings cognizable by Revenue -Officers.– (1) The 
following applications and proceedings shall be disposed of by Revenue -Officers as 
such, and no Court shall take cognizance of any dispute or matter with respect to 
which any such application or proceeding might be made or had:– 
FIRST GROUP 
(a) proceedings under section 27 for the adjustment of rents expressed in 
terms of the land-revenue; 
68
[(aa) proceedings under section 27 -A for the adjustment of ren ts of 
occupancy tenants in the Attock District 
69
[;]] 
(b) proceedings relating to the remission and suspension of rent under 
section 30; 
(c) applications under section 43 for the ejectment of a tenant against 
whom a decree for an arrear of rent in respect o f his tenancy has been 
passed and remains unsatisfied; 
(d) applications under section 45, sub -section(5), for the ejectment of a 
tenant on whom a notice of ejectment has been served and who has 
not instituted a suit to contest his liability to be ejected b ut has claimed 
compensation under section 71; 
(e) applications under section 53 or section 54 for the fixing of the value of 
a right of occupancy; 
(f) applications under section 53 or section 54 by landlords for possession 
of land, the right of occupancy in which has become extinct; 
(g) proceedings under Chapter VI with respect to the award of 
compensation for improvements or disturbance; 
SECOND GROUP 
(h) applications under section 17 with respect to the division or 
appraisement of produce; 
(i) application under section 45, sub -section (5), for the ejectment of a 
tenant on whom a notice of ejectment has been served and who has 
not instituted a suit to contest his liability to be ejected and has not 
claimed compensation under section 71; 
(j) applications for the determination– 
                                                 
66Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
67Substituted for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.5; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
68Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1925 (XI of 1925), s.11; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 22.3.1926. 
69Misprinted in the Gazette as “full-stop”. 
(i) under section 49 of the rent payable for land occupied by crops uncut 
or ungathered at the time of an order made for the ejectment of a 
tenant, or 
(ii) under section 49 or section 74 of the value of such crops or of the sum 
payable t o the tenant for labour and capital expended by him in 
preparing land for sowing; 
THIRD GROUP 
(k) applications under section 31 by tenants to deposit rent; 
(l) applications under section 36 for service of notice of relinquishment; 
(m) applications under section 43 for service of notice of ejectment; 
(n) applications under section 53 or section 54 for service of notice of 
intended transfer or of intended foreclosure or other enforcement of 
lien. 
 (2) Except as otherwise provided by any rule made by the 
70
[Board of 
Revenue] in this behalf– 
(a) a Collector or an Assistant Collector of the first grade may dispose of 
any of the applications and proceedings mentioned in sub-section(1); 
(b) an Assistant Collector of the second grade, not being Naib -Tehsildar, 
may di spose of any of the applications mentioned in the second and 
third groups of that sub-section; and 
(c) a Naib Tehsildar, when invested with the powers of an Assistant 
Collector of the second grade, may dispose of any of the applications 
mentioned in the third group of that sub-section. 
77. Revenue Courts and suits cognizable by them .– (1) When a Revenue -
Officer is exercising jurisdiction with respect to any such suit as is described in sub -
section (3), or with respect to an appeal or other proceeding arisin g out of any such 
suit, he shall be called a Revenue Court. 
 (2) There shall be the same classes of Revenue Courts as of Revenue -
Officers under this Act, and, in the absence of any order of the 
71
[Provincial 
Government] to the contrary, a Revenue -Officer of  any class having jurisdiction 
within any local limits under this Act shall be a Revenue Court of the same class 
having jurisdiction within the same local limits. 
 (3) The following suits shall be instituted in, and heard and determined by, 
Revenue Courts, and no other Court shall take cognizance of any dispute or matter 
with respect to which any such suit might be instituted:– 
 
72
[Provided that– 
                                                 
70Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
71Substituted for “Local Government” by the G overnment of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
72Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ac t, 1912 (III of 1912), w.e.f. 24.5.1912, s.2; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages. 
(1) Procedure where revenue matter is raised in a Civil Court. – where in a 
suit cognizable by and instituted in a  Civil Court it becomes necessary 
to decide any matter which can under this sub -section be heard and 
determined only by a Revenue Court, the Civil Court shall endorse 
upon the plaint the nature of the matter for decision and the particulars 
required by Ord er VII, rule 10, Civil Procedure Code (Indian Act V of 
1908), and return the plaint for presentation to the Collector; 
(2) on the plaint being presented to the Collector, the Collector shall 
proceed to hear and determine the suit where the value thereof 
exceeds 
73
[rupees ten thousand] or the matter involved is of the nature 
mentioned in section 77(3), First Group, of the Punjab Tenancy Act, 
1887 (Indian Act XVI of 1887), and in other case may send the suit to 
an Assistant Collector of the first grade for decision.] 
FIRST GROUP 
(a) suits between landlord and tenant for enhancement or reduction of rent 
under section 24; 
(b) suits between landlord and tenant for addition to or abatement of rent 
under section 28 or for commutation of rent; 
(c) suits under section 34 for the determination of rent or other sum on the 
expiration of the term of an assessment of land -revenue 
74
[and suits 
relating to the rent to be paid under a mortgage made in accordance 
with form (c) as prescribed by section 6 of the Punjab Alienation of 
Land Act, 1900]; 
SECOND GROUP 
(d) suits by a tenant to establish a claim to a right of occupancy, or by a 
landlord to prove that a tenant has not such a right; 
(e) suits by a landlord to eject a tenant; 
(f) suits by a tenant under section 45 to contest liability to ejectment, when 
notice of ejectment has been served; 
(g) suits by a tenant under section 50 for recovery of possession or 
occupancy, or for compensation, or for both; 
(h) suits by a landlord to set aside a transfer made of a right of occupancy , 
or to dispossess a person to whom such a transfer has been made, or 
for both purposes; 
(i) any other suit between landlord and tenant arising out of the lease or 
conditions on which a tenancy is held; 
(j) suits for sums payable on account of village cess es or village 
expenses; 
                                                 
73Substituted, for “Rs. 1000”, by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 1980 (IX of 1980), w.e.f. 4.9.1980, s.2; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary) pages 906-D-906-E . 
74Added by the Punjab Alienation of Land Act, 1900 (XIII of 1900). 
(k) suits by a co -sharer in an estate or holding for a share of the profits 
thereof or for a settlement of accounts; 
(l) suits for the recovery of over payments of rent or land -revenue or of 
any other demand for which a suit lies in  a Revenue Court under this 
sub-section; 
(m) suits relating to the emoluments of kanungos 
75
[* * *] or village officers; 
THIRD GROUP 
(n) suits by a landlord for arrears of rent or the money equivalent of rent, or 
for sums recoverable under section 14; 
(o) suits by a landowner to recover moneys claimed as due for the 
enjoyment of rights in or over land or in water, including rights of 
irrigation, rights over fisheries, rights of pasturage and forest rights; 
(p) suits for sums payable on account of land -revenue or of any other 
demand recoverable as an arrear of land -revenue under any 
enactment for the time being in force, and by a superior land -owner for 
other sums due to him as such. 
 (4) Except as otherwise provided by any rule made by the 
76
[Board of 
Revenue] in this behalf– 
(a) a Collector may hear and determine any of the suits mentioned in sub -
section (3); 
(b) an Assistant Collector of the first grade may hear and determine any of 
the suits mentioned in the second and third groups of that sub -section, 
and, if he has by name been specially empowered in this behalf by the 
77
[Provincial Government], any of the suits mentioned in the first group; 
and 
(c) an Assistant Collector of the second grade may hear and determine 
any of the suits mentioned in the third group. 
 
78
[(5) The limitation for suits mentioned in sub -section (3) (Third Group), 
clause (n), shall be one year from the day the rent or money equivalent to rent or 
sums recoverable become due.] 
Administrative control 
78. Superintendence and control of Revenue-Officers and Revenue Courts.– 
(1) The general superintendence and control over all 
79
[* * *] Revenue -Officers and 
                                                 
75Omitted the words and comma “, zaildars, inamdars” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), 
w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.6; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
76Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
77Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
78Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1977 (IV of 1977), w.e.f.5.1.1977, s. 2; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 14.6.1977, pages 815-816. 
79Omitted the word “other” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, 
s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709-789. 
Revenue Courts shall be vested in, and all such officers and Courts shall be 
subordinate to the 
80
[Board of Revenue]. 
 (2) Subject to the gene ral superintendence and control of the 
81
[Board of 
Revenue], 
82
[a Commissioner] shall control all other Revenue -Officers and Revenue 
Courts in his division. 
 (3) Subject as aforesaid and to the control of 
83
[the Commissioner] , a 
Collector shall control all other Revenue-Officer and Revenue Courts in his district. 
79. Power to distribute business and withdraw and transfer cases .– (1) The 
84
[Board of Revenue] or 
85
[a Commissioner]  or Collector may by written order 
distribute, in such manner as 
86
[it or he thinks fi t], any business cognizable by any 
Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court under his control. 
 (2) The 
87
[Board of Revenue] or 
88
[a Commissioner]  or Collector may 
withdraw any case pending before any Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court under 
89
[its or his] control, and either dispose of it 
90
[itself or himself] or by written order refer 
it for disposal to any other Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court under 
91
[its or his] 
control. 
 (3) An order under sub -section (1) or sub -section (2) shall not empower 
any Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court to exercise any powers or deal with any 
business which he or it would not be competent to exercise or deal with within the 
local limits of his or its own jurisdiction. 
                                                 
80Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Paki stan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
81Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation  and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
82Substituted  for “an Executive District Officer (Rvenue)”   by the Punjab Laws (Amendment ) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011 ,pages 
4043-4047. 
83Substituted for “the Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047.   
84Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
85Substituted  for “an Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) A ct 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
86Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957). 
87Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
88Substituted  for “an Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab  Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
89Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s. 4 & s.5; and 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
90Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.4 & s.5; and 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
91Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.4 & s.5; and 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
Appeal, Review And Revision 
80. Appeals.– 
92
[(1)] Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules thereunder, 
an appeal shall lie from an original or appellate order or decree made under this Act 
by a Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court, as follows, namely:– 
(a) to the Collector when the order or decree is made by an Assistant 
Collector of either grade; 
(b) to 
93
[the Commissioner]  when the order or decree is made by a 
Collector; 
(c) to the 
94
[Board of Revenue only on a point of law] when the order or 
decree is made by 
95
[a Commissioner]: 
 Provided that– 
(i) an appeal from an order o r decree made by an Assistant Collector of 
the first grade specially empowered by name in that behalf by the 
96
[Provincial Government] in a suit mentioned in the first group of sub -
section (3) of section 77, shall lie to 
97
[the Commissioner]   and not to 
the Collector; 
(ii) when an original order or decree is confirmed on first appeal, a further 
appeal shall not lie; 
(iii) when any such order or decree is modified or reversed on appeal by 
the Collector, the order or decree made by the 
98
[the Commissioner]  on 
further appeal, if any, to him shall be final. 
 
99
[(2) An order shall not be confirmed, modified or reversed in appeal unless 
reasonable notice has been given to the parties affected thereby to appear and be 
heard in support of or against the order appealed from.] 
                                                 
92Re-numbered by the West  Pakistan Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1965 (XXXIV of 1965), w.e.f.2.11.1965, s.3 and second 
schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary),pages 5607-5614. 
93Substituted for “the Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab L aws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),d ated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
94Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789.  
95Substituted for “an Executive District Officer (Revenue)”  by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
96Substituted for “Local Government”  by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
97Substituted for “the Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Law s (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
98Substituted for “the E xecutive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; a nd published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
99Added  by the West Pakistan Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1965 (XXXIV of 1965), w.e.f.2.11.1965, s.3 and second 
schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary),pages 5607-5614. 
81. Limitation for appeals.– The period of limitation for an appeal under the last 
foregoing section shall run from the date of the order or decree appealed against, 
and shall be as follows, that is to say– 
(a) when the appeal lies to the Collector – thirty days; 
(b) when the appeal lies to the 
100
[Commissioner]  – sixty days; 
(c) when the appeal lies to the 
101
[Board of Revenue] – ninety days. 
82. Review by Revenue -Officers.– (1) A Revenue -Officer, as such, may either 
of his own motion or on the applica tion of any party interested, review, and on so 
reviewing modify, reverse or confirm any order passed by himself or by any of his 
predecessors-in-office: 
 Provided as follows:– 
102
[(a) an order passed by his predecessor -in-office shall not be reviewed by 
the– 
(i) 
103
[Commissioner] without first obtaining the sanction of the 
Board of Revenue, 
(ii) Collector without first obtaining the sanction of the 
104
[Commissioner], 
and no order shall be reviewed by any other Revenue -Officer without first 
obtaining the sanction  of the Revenue -Officer to whose control he is immediately 
subject 
105
[;]] 
(b) an application for review of an order shall not be entertained unless it is 
made within ninety days from the passing of the order, or unless the 
applicant satisfies the Revenue -Officer that he had sufficient cause for 
not making the application within that period; 
(c) an order shall not be modified or reversed unless reasonable notice 
has been given to the parties affected thereby to appear and be heard 
in support of the order; 
(d) an order against which an appeal has been preferred shall not be 
reviewed. 
 (2) For the purposes of this section the Collector shall be deemed to be 
the successor -in-office of any Revenue -Officer of a lower class who has left the 
                                                 
100Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Ext raordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
101Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
102Substituted  by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and 
schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
103Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)”  by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notif ication published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
104Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amend ment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
105Misprinted in the Gazette as “comma”. 
district or has ceased to  exercise powers as a Revenue -Officer, and whom there is 
no successor-in-office. 
 (3) An appeal shall not lie from an order refusing to review, or confirming 
on review, a previous order. 
83. Computation of periods limited for appeals and applications for r eview.– 
In the computation of the period for an appeal from, or an application for the review 
of, an order under this Act, the limitation therefor shall be governed by the 
106
[*  *  *] 
Limitation Act, 
107
[1908]. 
84. Power to call for, examine and revise procee dings of Revenue -Officers 
and Revenue Courts .– (1) The 
108
[Board of Revenue] may at any time call for the 
record of any case pending before, or disposed of by any Revenue -Officer or 
Revenue Court subordinate to 
109
[it]. 
 (2) 
110
[A Commissioner]  or Collector may call for the record of any case 
pending before, or disposed of by, any Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court under his 
control. 
 (3) If in any case in which a 
111
[* * *] Collector has called for a record he is 
of opinion that the proceedings taken or the order or  decree made should be 
modified or reversed, he shall submit the record with his opinion on the case for the 
orders of the 112
[ Commissioner]. 
 
113
[(4) If, after examining a record called for under sub -section (1), or sub -
section (2) or submitted under sub -section (3), the Board of Revenue or 
114
[the 
Commissioner], as the case may be, is of the opinion that it is expedient to interfere 
with the proceedings or the order or decree, it or he, as the case may be, shall pass 
an order accordingly.] 
                                                 
106Omitted the word “Indian” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.9; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315.  
107Substituted for the figure “1877” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.9; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
108Substituted for “Financial Commission er” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
109Substituted ibid., for the word “him”. 
110Substituted  for “an Executive District Officer (Revenue)”  by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
111Omitted the words “Commissioner or” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), w.e.f. 
14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
112Substituted  for “the Executive District Officer (Revenue)”  by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.201 1(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
113Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957). 
114Substituted for “the Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the 
Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary),dated 16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 
4043-4047. 
 (5) If, after exami ning the record, the 
115
[Board of Revenue] is of opinion 
that it is expedient to interfere with the proceedings or the order or decree on any 
ground on which the 
116
[High Court] in the exercise of the revisional jurisdiction may 
under the law for the time bein g in force interfere with the proceedings or an order or 
decree of a Civil Court, 
117
[it] shall fix a day for hearing the case, and may, on that or 
any subsequent day to which 
118
[it] may adjourn the hearing or which 
119
[it] may 
appoint in this behalf, pass such order as 
120
[it] thinks fit in the case. 
 (6) Except when the 
121
[Board of Revenue] fixes under sub -section (5) a 
day for hearing the case, no party has any right to be heard before the 
122
[Board of 
Revenue] when exercising 
123
[its] powers under this section. 
Procedure 
85. Procedure of Revenue-Officers.– (1) The 
124
[Provincial Government] may 
makes 
125
rules consistent with this Act for regulating the procedure of Revenue -
Officers under this Act in cases in which a procedure is not prescribed by this Act. 
 (2) The rules may provide, among other matters, for the mode of enforcing 
orders of ejectment from, and delivery of possession, of , immovable property, and 
rules providing for those may confer on a Revenue -Officer all or any of the powers in 
regard to contempts, resis tance and the like which a Civil Court may exercise in the 
execution of a decree whereby it has adjudged ejectment from, or delivery of 
possession of, such property. 
 (3) The rules may also provide for the mode of executing orders as to 
costs, and may adapt to proceedings under this Act all or any of the provisions of the 
Punjab Land-Revenue Act, 
126
[1967], with respect to arbitration. 
 (4) Subject to the rules under this section a Revenue-Officer may refer any 
case which he is empowered to dispose of under this Act to another Revenue-Officer 
for investigation and report, and may decide the case upon the report. 
                                                 
115Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
116Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
117Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), for the word “he”. 
118Substituted ibid. 
119Ibid. 
120Ibid. 
121Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789.s 
122Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws)  Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
123Substituted ibid., for the word “his”. 
124Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adapta tion of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
125For rules under section 85 (1), See Notification No. 77, Pb Gazette (Extraordinary), dated, 1-3-1888, page 79. 
126Substituted for the figure “1887” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.5; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
86. Persons by whom appearances may be made before Revenue -Officers 
as such and not as Revenue Courts .– (1) Appearances before a Revenue -Officer 
as such, and applications to and acts to be done before him, under this Act may be 
made or done– 
 (a) by the parties themselves, or 
 (b) by their recognized agents or a legal practitioner: 
 Provided that the employment of a recognized agent or legal practitione r shall 
not excuse the personal attendance of a party to any proceeding in any case in 
which personal attendance is specially required by an order of the officer. 
 (2) For the purpose of sub -section (1), recognized agents shall be such 
persons as the 
127
[Provincial Government] may by notification declare in this behalf. 
 (3) The fees of a legal practitioner shall not be allowed as costs in any 
proceeding before a Revenue-Officer under this Act, unless that officer considers, for 
reasons to be recorded by him in writing, that the fees should be allowed. 
87. Costs.– (1) A Revenue-Officer may give and apportion the costs of any 
proceeding under this Act in any manner he thinks fit. 
 (2) But if he orders that the costs of any such proceeding shall not follow 
the event, he shall record his reasons for the order. 
88. Procedure of Revenue Courts .– (1) The 
128
[Provincial Government] may  
129
[* * *] make rules consistent with this Act for regulating the procedure of Revenue 
Courts in matters under this Act for which a proced ure is not prescribed thereby, and 
by any such rules direct that any provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure shall 
apply, with or without modification to all or any classes of cases before those Courts. 
 (2) Until rules are made under sub -section (1) and  subject to those rules 
when made and to the provisions of this Act,– 
(a) the Code of Civil Procedure shall, so far as it is applicable, apply to all 
proceedings in Revenue Courts whether before or after decree; and 
(b) the 
130
[Board of Revenue] shall, in re spect of those proceedings, be 
deemed to be the High Court within the meaning of that Code, and 
shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, exercise, as regards the 
Courts under 
131
[its] control, all the powers of a High Court under the 
Code. 
                                                 
127Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
128Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
129Omitted the words “with the previous sanction of the Governor General in Council” by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (IV of 
1914), s.2 and the Schedule; and published in the Gazette of India, dated 24.2.1914. 
130Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the  West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
131Substituted ibid., for the word “his”. 
89. Power of Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court to summon persons .– (1) A 
Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court may summon any person whose attendance he 
or it considers necessary for the purpose of any application, suit or other business 
before him or it as a Revenue-oOfficer or Revenue Court. 
 (2) A person so summoned shall be bound to appear at the time and place 
mentioned in the summons in person or if the summons so allows, by his recognized 
agent or a legal practitioner. 
 (3) The person attending in obedience to the summ ons shall be bound to 
state the truth upon any matter respecting which he is examined or makes 
statements, and to produce such documents and other things relating to any such 
matter as the Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court may require. 
90. Mode of service of summons.– (1) A summons issued by a Revenue-Officer 
or Revenue Court shall, if practicable, be served (a) personally on the person to 
whom it is addressed, or failing him on (b) his recognized agents or (c) an adult male 
member of his family who is residing with him. 
 (2) If service cannot be so made, or if acceptance of service so made is 
refused, the summons may be served by posting a copy thereof at the usual or last 
known place of residence of the person to whom it is addressed, or, if that person 
does not reside in the district in which the Revenue -Officer is employed or the 
Revenue Court is held, and the case to which the summons relates has reference to 
land in that district, then by posting a copy of the summons on some conspicuous 
place in or near the estate wherein the land is situate. 
 (3) If the summons relates to a case in which persons having the same 
interest are so numerous that personal service on all of them is not reasonably 
practicable, it may, if the Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court so directs, be served by 
delivery of a copy thereof to such of those persons as the officer or Court nominates 
in this behalf and by proclamation of the contents thereof for the information of the 
other persons interested. 
 (4) A summons may, if the Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court so directs, 
be served on the person named therein, either in addition to, or in substitution for, 
any other mode of service, by forwarding the summons by post in a letter addressed 
to the person and registered under Part 
132
[VI] of the 
133
[* * *] Post Office Act, 
134
[1898]. 
 (5) When a summons is so forwarded in a letter and it is proved that the 
letter was properly addressed and duly posted and registered, the officer or Court 
may presume that the summons was served at the time when the l etter would be 
delivered in the ordinary course of post. 
91. Mode of service of notice, or order or proclamation or copy thereof .– A 
notice, order or proclamation, or copy of any such document, issued by a Revenue-
                                                 
132Substituted for the figure “III” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.10; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
133Omitted the word “Indian” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance , 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.10; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
134Substituted for the figure “1886” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.10; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315.. 
Officer or Revenue Court for service on an y person shall be served in the manner 
provided in the last foregoing section for the service of a summons. 
92. Additional mode of publishing proclamation .– When a proclamation 
relating to any land is issued by a r Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court, it shall , in 
addition to any other mode of publication which may be prescribed by any enactment 
for the time being in force, be made by beat of drum or other customary method, and 
by the posting of a copy thereof on a conspicuous place in or near the land to which  
it relates. 
93. Joinder of tenants as parties to proceeding relating to rent .– (1) Any 
number of tenants cultivating in the same estate, may in the discretion of the 
Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court and subject to any rules which the 
135
[Provincial 
Government] may make in this behalf, be made parties to any proceeding under 
Chapter III. 
 (2) But a decree or order shall not be made in any such proceedings 
unless the Revenue -Officer or Revenue Court is satisfied that all the parties thereto 
have had an opportunity of appearing and being heard. 
 (3) A decree or order made in any such proceeding shall specify the extent 
to which each of the tenants is affected thereby. 
94. Exception of suits under this Act from operation of certain enactments .– 
Nothing in section  424 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or in section 36 of 
136
the 
Punjab Municipal Act, 1884, shall be construed to apply to a suit of a class 
mentioned in section 77 of this Act. 
95. Payment into Court of money admitted to be due to a third person .– (1) 
When a defendant admits that money is due from him on account of rent, but pleads 
that it is due not to the plaintiff but to a third person, the Court shall, except for 
special reasons to be recorded by it, refuse to take cognizance of the plea unless the 
defendant pays into Court the amount so admitted to be due. 
 (2) Where such a payment is made the Court shall forthwith cause notice 
of the payment to be served on the third person. 
 (3) Unless the third person within three months from the receipt of the 
notice institutes a suit against the plaintiff and therein obtains an order restraining 
payment of the money, it shall be paid to the plaintiff on his application to the Court 
therefor. 
 (4) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of any person to recover  
from the plaintiff money paid to him under sub-section (3). 
 (5) When a defendant pays money into Court under this section, the Court 
shall give the defendant a receipt, and the receipt so given shall operate as an 
                                                 
135Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
136Repealed by the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 (III of 1911), The successor law being the municipal administration act 1960 (X 
of 1960), the Punjab local government act 1975 (XXXIV of 1975), the Punjab local government ordinance 1979 (VI of 1979) and 
the Punjab local government ordinance 2001(XIII of 2001) 
acquittance in the same manner and to th e same extent as if it had been given by 
the plaintiff or the third person, as the case may be. 
96. Execution of decree for arrears of rent .– A Court passing a decree for an 
arrear of rent may, on the oral application of the decree -holder, order execution 
thereof against the movable property of the tenant, and against any uncut or 
ungathered crops on the tenancy in respect of which the arrear is decreed. 
97. Prohibition of imprisonment of tenants in execution of decrees for rent .– 
A tenant shall not, during  the continuance of his occupancy, be liable to 
imprisonment on the application of his landlord in execution of a decree for an arrear 
of rent. 
98. Power to refer party to Civil Court.– (1) If, in any proceeding pending before 
a Revenue Court exercising or iginal, appellate or revisional jurisdiction, it appears to 
the Court that any question in issue is more proper for decision by a Civil Court, the 
Revenue Court may, with the previous sanction of the Court, if any, to the control of 
which it is immediately  subject, require by order in writing, any party to the 
proceeding to institute, within such time as it may fix in this behalf, a suit in the Civil 
Court for the purpose of obtaining a decision on the question, and, if he fails to 
comply with the requisition, may decide the question as it think fit. 
 (2) If the party institutes the suit in compliance with the requisition, the 
Revenue Court shall dispose of the proceeding pending before it in accordance with 
the final decision of the Civil Court of first instance or appeal, as the case may be. 
99. Power to refer to High Court questions as to jurisdiction .– (1) If the 
Presiding Officer of a Civil or Revenue Court in which a suit has been instituted 
doubts whether he is precluded from taking cognizance of the s uit, he may refer the 
matter through the 
137
[District Judge] or 
138
[Commissioner], or, if he is a 
139
[District 
Judge] or 
140
[Commissioner], directly to the 
141
[High Court]. 
 (2) On any such reference being made, the 
142
[High Court] may order the 
presiding officer either to proceed with the suit or to return the plaint for presentation 
in such other Court as it may in its order declare to be competent to take cognizance 
of the suit. 
                                                 
137Substituted by the Punjab Courts Act, 1918 (VI of 1918), for “Divisional Judge”. 
138Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
139Substituted by the Punjab Courts Act, 1918 (VI of 1918), for words “Divisional Judge”. 
140Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
141Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
142Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
 (3) The order of the 
143
[High Court] on any such reference shall be 
conclusive as against  persons who are not parties to the suits as well as against 
persons who are parties thereto. 
100. Power of High Court to validate proceedings held under mistake as to 
jurisdiction.– In either of the following cases, namely:– 
(a) if it appears to a Civil C ourt that a Court under its control has 
determined a suit of a class mentioned in section 77 which under the 
provisions of that section should have been heard and determined by a 
Revenue Court, or 
(b) if it appears to a Revenue Court, that a Court under it s control has 
determined a suit which should have been heard by a Civil Court, 
the Civil Court or Revenue Court, as the case may be, shall submit the 
record of the suit to the 
144
[High Court]. 
 (2) If on perusal of the record it appears to the 
145
[High Court] that the suit 
was so determined in good faith, and that the parties have not been prejudiced by 
the mistake as to jurisdiction, the 
146
[High Court] may order that the decree be 
registered in the Court which had jurisdiction. 
 (3) If it appears to the 
147
[High Court] otherwise than on submission of a 
record under sub -section (1), that a Civil Court under its control has determined a 
suit of a class mentioned in section 77 which under the provisions of that section 
should have been heard and determined by a Revenue Court, the 
148
[High Court] may 
pass any order which it might have passed if the record had been submitted to it 
under that sub-section. 
 (4) With respect to any proceeding subsequent to decree, the 
149
[High 
Court] may make such order for its registration in  a Revenue Court or Civil Court as 
in the circumstances appears to be just and proper. 
 (5) An order of the 
150
[High Court] under this section shall be conclusive as 
against persons who were not parties to the suit or proceeding as well as against 
persons who were parties thereto, and the decree or proceeding to which the order 
relates shall have effect as if it had been made or had by the Court in which the 
order has required it to be registered. 
                                                 
143Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
144Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
145Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
146Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the f irst schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
147Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
148Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
149Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1 919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
150Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
 (6) The provisions of this section shall apply to any suit in stituted on or 
after the first day of November, 1884, and to proceedings arising out of any such 
suit. 
Miscellaneous 
101. Place of sitting .– (1) An Assistant Collector may exercise his powers under 
this Act at any place within the limits of the district in which he is employed. 
 (2) Any other Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court may only exercise his or 
its powers under this Act within the local limits of his or its jurisdiction. 
102. Holidays.– (1) The 
151
[Board of Revenue], with the approval of the 
152
[Provincial 
Government], shall publish in the 
153
[Official Gazette] before the commencement of 
each calendar year a list of days to be observed in that year as holidays by all or any 
Revenue-Officers and Revenue Courts. 
 (2) A proceeding held before a Revenue -Officer o r Revenue Court on a 
day specified in the list as a day to be observed by the Officer or Court as a holiday 
shall not be invalid by reason only of its having been held on that day.  
103. Discharge of duties of Collector dying or being disabled .– When a 
Collector dies or is disabled from performing his duties, the officer who succeeds 
154
[him] temporarily 
155
[* * *] under any orders which may be generally or specially 
issued by the 
156
[Provincial Government] in this behalf, shall be deemed to be a 
Collector under this Act. 
104. Retention of powers by Revenue-Officer on transfer .– When a Revenue -
Officer of any class who, either as such or as a Revenue Court, has under the 
foregoing provisions of this Act any powers to be exercised in any local area is 
transferred from that local area to another as a Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court of 
the same or a higher class, he shall continue to exercise those powers in that other 
local area unless the 
157
[Provincial Government] otherwise directs or has otherwise 
directed. 
                                                 
151Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
152Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
153Substituted for “local official Gazette” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937,  
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937.. 
154Inserted by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.11; and published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315.  
155Deleted the words “to the chief executive administration of the district” by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 
(LVI of 2001), w.e.f.14.8.2001, s.11; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22.12.2001, pages 2313-2315. 
156Substituted for “Local Government”  by the Govern ment of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
157Substituted for “Local Government” by the Gover nment of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
105. Conferment of powers of Revenue-Officer or Revenue Court .– (1) The 
158
[Provincial Government] may by notification confer on any person– 
(a) all or any of the powers of 
159
[Board of Revenue], 
160
[Commissioner] or 
Collector under this Act, or  
(b) all or any of the p owers with which an Assistant Collector of either 
grade is, or may be, invested thereunder, 
and may by notification withdraw any powers so conferred. 
 (2) A person on whom powers are conferred under sub -section (1) shall 
exercise those powers within such l ocal limits and in such classes of cases as the 
161
[Provincial Government] may direct, and except as otherwise directed by the 
162
[Provincial Government], shall for all purposes connected with the exercise whereof 
be deemed 
163
[Board of Revenue], 
164
[Commissioner], Collector or Assistant Collector, 
as the case may be. 
 (3) Before conferring powers on the Judge of a Civil Court under sub -
section (1), the 
165
[Provincial Government] shall consult the 
166
[High Court]. 
 (4) If any of the powers of a Collector under section 78, section 79, section 
80 or section 82 are conferred on an Assistant Collector, they shall, unless the 
167
[Provincial Government] by special order otherwise directs, be exercised by him 
subject to the control of the Collector. 
                                                 
158Substituted for “Local Government” by the Gove rnment of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
159Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by t he West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
160Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)” by the  Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
161Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
162Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
163Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
164Substituted for “Executive District Officer (Revenue)”  by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011) by the Punjab 
Laws (Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011),w.e.f. 20.4.2011(notification published in the Punjab Gazette (Ext raordinary),dated 
16.4.2011, page 4081),s.3 ; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),dated 14.4.2011,pages 4043-4047. 
165Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
166Substituted for the words “Chief Court” by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919 (XVIII of 1919), s.2 and the first schedule ; 
and published in the Gazette of India, dated 17.9.1919. 
167Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
106. Power of Board of Revenu e to make rules .– (1) The 
168
[Board of Revenue] 
may, in addition to the other rules which may be made by 
169
[it] under this Act, make 
rules consistent with this Act and other enactment for the time being in force,– 
(a) determining, notwithstanding anything in any record -of-rights, the 
number and amount of the instalments and the times by and at which 
rent is to be paid; 
(b) for the guidance of Revenue-Officers in determining, for the purposes 
of this Act, the amount of the land-revenue of any land; 
(c) prescribing for all or any of the territories to which this Act extends, the 
periods during which in proceedings held under this Act, a Revenue-
Officer or Revenue Court is not, except for reasons of urgency to be 
recorded, to issue any process of arrest against a tenant or against a 
land-owner who cultivates his own land; 
(d) regulating the procedure in cases where persons are entitled to inspect 
records of Revenue-Officers or Revenue Courts, or to obtain copies of 
the same, and prescribing the fees payable for searches and copies; 
(e) prescribing forms for such books, entries, statistics and accounts as 
the 
170
[Board of Revenue] thinks necessary to be kept, made or 
compiled in Revenue -Offices or Revenue Courts or submitted to any 
authority; 
(f) declaring what shall b e the language of any of those Offices and 
Courts, and determining in what cases persons practising in those 
offices and Courts shall be permitted to address the Presiding Officers 
thereof in English; and 
(g) generally for the guidance of Revenue-Officers and other persons in 
matters connected with the enforcement of this Act. 
 (2) Until rules are made under clause (a) of sub -section (1), rent shall be 
payable by the instalments and at the times by and at which it is now payable. 
 (3) Rules made by the 
171
[Board of Revenue] under this or any other 
section of this Act shall 
172
[be made subject to the control of] the 
173
[Provincial 
Government]. 
107. Rules to be made after previous publication .– The power to make any 
rules under this Act is subject 
174
[* * *] to the co ndition of the rules being made after 
previous publication. 
                                                 
168Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
169Substituted ibid, for the word “him”. 
170Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
171Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
172Substituted for “not take effect until they have been sanctioned by” by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (IV of 1914), s.2 and the 
Schedule; and published in the Gazette of India, dated 24.2.1914. 
173Substituted for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
108. Powers exercisable by Board of Revenue from time to time .– All powers 
conferred by this Act on the 
175
[Board of Revenue] may be exercised from time to time 
as occasion requires. 
CHAPTER VIII 
EFFECT OF THIS ACT ON RECORDS-OF-RIGHTS AND AGREEMENTS 
109. Nullity of certain entries in records -of-rights.– An entry in any record -of-
rights providing– 
(a) that a landlord may prevent a tenant from making, or eject him from 
making, such improvements on his  tenancy as he is entitled to make 
under this Act, or  
(b) that a tenant ejected from his tenancy shall not be entitled to 
compensation for improvements or for disturbance in any case in which 
he would under this Act be entitled to compensation therefor, or 
(c) that a landlord may eject a tenant otherwise than in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act, shall be void to that extent. 
110. Nullity of certain agreements contrary to the Act .– (1) Nothing in any 
agreement made between a landlord and a tenant after the passing of this Act shall– 
(a) override any of the provisions of this Act with respect to the acquisition 
of a right of occupancy, or the reduction, remission or suspension of 
rent, or the enhancement of the rent of a tenant having a right of 
occupancy under section 5 or section 6, or 
(b) take away or limit the right of a tenant as determined by this Act to 
make improvements and claim compensation therefor, or, where 
compensation for disturbance can be claimed under this Act, to claim 
such compensation, or 
(c) entitle a landlord to eject a tenant otherwise than in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act. 
 (2) Nothing in clause (a) of sub -section (1) shall apply to an agreement by 
which a tenant binds himself to pay an enhanced rent in considerat ion of an 
improvement which has been or is to be made in respect of his tenancy, by or at the 
expense of his landlord, and to the benefit of which the tenant is not otherwise 
entitled. 
111. Saving of other agreements when in writing .– Save as expressly pro vided 
in this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of any agreement between a 
landlord and a tenant, when the agreement either is in writing or has been recorded 
in a record-of-rights before the passing of the 
176
Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887,  or 
been entered by order of Revenue-Officer in a record -of-rights or annual record 
under the provisions of that Act. 
                                                                                                                                                        
174The words, “to the control of the Governor General in Council and”, deleted by the Devolution Act, 1920 (XXXVIII of 1920). 
175Substituted for “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), 
w.e.f. 14.10.1955, s.3 and schedule III; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages 709- 789. 
176Repealed by the Punjab Land-revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967). 
112. Effect of certain entries made in records -of-rights before November, 
1871.– An entry made with respect to any of the following matter s before the 
eighteenth day of November, 1871, and attested by the proper officer, in the record 
of regular settlement sanctioned by the 
177
[Provincial Government], namely:– 
(a) the enhancement or abatement of the rent of a tenant having right of 
occupancy or the commutation of rent in kind into rent in money or of 
rent in money into rent in kind, or the taking of rent in kind by division or 
appraisement of the produce or other procedure of a like nature, or 
(b) the letting or under-letting of land in which there is a right of occupancy 
by the tenant having that right, or the alienation of or succession to 
land in which such a right subsists, shall be deemed to be an 
agreement within the meaning of the last foregoing section. 
178
[113. 
179
[Nothing but rent or seed supplied recoverable].– 
180
[(1)] Notwithstanding 
anything to the contrary in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force or 
any revenue record or agreement or any rule of custom or any decision of a Court or 
arbitrator, no tenant shall be liable for, and no landlord shall be entitled to anything in 
the shape of a cess, village cess, or other contribution or due or any free personal 
service, in addition to the rent payable for the land held by the former under the 
latter]. 
 
181
[(2) Notwithstanding a ny agreement to the contrary, where a landlord 
supplies any seed to his tenant, he shall be entitled to recover from the tenant only 
the quantity of seed actually supplied and nothing in excess thereof.] 
182
[114. Extinction of occupancy tenancies .– (1) Notwi thstanding anything 
contained in any law for the time being in force, including this Act, no person shall, 
after the coming into force of the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952, acquire 
or have occupancy rights in any land under any enactment or contract  or any decree 
or order of any Court or other authority and the existing occupancy rights in respect 
of all lands other than lands owned by Government or by any person who under the 
law for the time being in force is an evacuee, shall on the coming into fo rce of the 
aforesaid Act, be extinguished, and the land comprised in a tenancy so extinguished 
shall vest as hereinafter provided. 
 (2) An occupancy tenant, who at the time of the coming into force of the 
aforesaid Amendment Act occupies any land as such s hall become owner as 
under:– 
                                                 
177Substituted  for “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Or der, 1937, w.e.f. 1.4.1937, 
Article 4 and Table of General Adaptations as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary 
Order, 1937. 
178Added  by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1950 (XVII of 1950), s.2; and published in th e Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 13.6.1951, pages 117-118. 
179Added by the Punjab Laws (Adaption, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), w.e.f.21.1.1955, s.2 and first schedule; 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 87-108. 
180Numbered by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.4; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
181Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.4; and published  in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
182Added  by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.5; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
(a) of the entire land comprised in his tenancy without payment of any 
compensation where he pays no rent therefor beyond the amount of 
the land-revenue, and rates and cesses for the time being chargeable 
therefor; 
(b) of such portion of the land comprised in his tenancy without payment of 
any compensation as corresponds to his share of the produce , where 
he pays rent in the form of a share of the produce; 
(c) of the entire land comprised in his tenancy on payment of 
compensation to the landlord in cash at such rates and within such 
periods as may be prescribed by the Government by rules framed for 
the purpose, where he pays rent only in cash; 
(d) of the whole or a portion of the land comprised in his tenancy on 
payment of such c ompensation in such form and within such time to 
the landlord as may be determined by Government by rules framed 
under this Act, where he pays rent partly in cash and partly in the form 
of a share of the produce. 
 (3) So long as Government does not frame r ules for purposes of clauses 
(c) and (d) of sub -section (2), an occupancy tenancy falling under any of these 
clauses shall, notwithstanding the provision made in sub -section (1), continue to 
subsist, and the landlord and the occupancy tenant shall continue  to enjoy the same 
rights, and be subject to the same liabilities, as before. 
 (4) In a case falling under clause (b) of sub -section (2) the landlord shall, 
without payment of any compensation, be entitled to the possession of the rest of the 
land comprised in the tenancy. 
 (5) An occupancy tenant acquiring land in accordance with the provisions 
of sub-section (2) shall acquire it free from all encumbrances created in respect of 
that land by the landlord and if any encumbrance be created by the tenant, the share 
of the land received by the landlord shall be free from it and notwithstanding any 
provision of any law for the time being in force to the contrary each such 
encumbrance shall become the exclusive liability of the landlord or the occupancy 
tenant, as the case may be. 
 (6) Where compensation is to be paid by a tenant in cash under clause (c) 
of sub-section (2) Government may, with a view to enabling an occupancy tenant to 
acquire land in accordance with the provisions of this section, advance a loan wh ich 
shall be recoverable as arrears of land -revenue with interest at such rates and in 
such instalments as the Government may fix generally or in particular cases. 
 (7) Government shall frame rules to give effect to the provisions of this 
section, and whil e framing rules it may classify lands into different categories and 
prescribe different principles for assessment of compensation.] 
183
[114-A. Extinction of Muqarraridari rights .– (1) Notwithstanding anything 
contained in any law for the time being in force,  including this Act, no person shall, 
after the coming into force of the Punjab Tenancy (Removal of Doubts and 
Amendment) Ordinance, 1974, hereinafter referred to as the said Ordinance acquire 
                                                 
183Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Removal of Doubts a nd Amendment) Act, 1975 (XXXVIII of 1975), w.e.f. 2.12.1974, s.3; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 25.6.1975, pages 942-YYY to 942-BBBB.  
or have muqarraridari right in any land under any enactment or contract or other 
authority, and the existing muqarraridari rights in respect of all lands other than the 
lands owned by or vesting in Government or by any person who, under the law for 
the time being in force is an evacuee, shall, on coming into force of the said 
Ordinance, be extinguished and the land in respect of which muqarraridari rights are 
to be extinguished, hereinafter referred to as the said land, shall vest as hereinafter 
provided. 
 (2) A muqarraridar who, at the time of coming into force of the  said 
Ordinance, occupies the said land as such shall become owner as under: — 
(a) of the said land in its entirety without payment of any compensation 
where he pays no rent therefor beyond the amount of the land -revenue 
and rates and cesses for the time being chargeable therefor; 
(b) of such portion of the said land without payment of any compensation 
as corresponds to his share of the produce where he pays rent in the 
form of a share of the produce; 
(c) of the said land in its entirety on payment of compe nsation to the 
proprietor in cash at such rates and within such periods as may be 
prescribed by the Government by rules framed for the purpose, where 
he pays rent only in cash; and 
(d) of the whole or a portion of the said land on payment of such 
compensation in such form and within such time to the proprietor as 
may be determined by Government by rules framed under this section, 
where he pays rent partly in cash and partly in the form of share of the 
produce. 
 (3) So long as Government does not frame rules , for purposes of clauses 
(c) and (d) of sub -section (2), muqarraridari rights falling under any of those clauses 
shall, notwithstanding the provision made in sub -section (1) continue to subsist and 
the proprietor and the muqarraridar shall continue to enj oy the same rights, and be 
subject to the same liabilities, as before. 
 (4) In a case falling under clause (b) of sub -section (2) the proprietor shall, 
without payment of any compensation, be entitled to the possession of the rest of the 
said land. 
 (5) A muqarraridar acquiring land in accordance with the provisions of sub-
section (1) shall acquire it free from all encumbrances created in respect of that land 
by the proprietor and if any encumbrance be created by the muqarraridar the share 
of the land recei ved by the proprietor shall be free from it and notwithstanding any 
provision of any law for the time being in force to the contrary, each such 
encumbrance shall become the exclusive liability of the proprietor or the 
muqarraridar as the case may be. 
 (6) Where compensation is to be paid by a muqarraridar in cash under 
clause (c) of sub -section (2) Government may, with a view to enabling a 
muqarraridar to acquire land in accordance with the provisions of this section, 
advance a loan which shall be recoverable as arrears of land-revenue with interest at 
such rates and in such instalments as the Government may fix generally or in 
particular cases. 
 (7) Government shall frame rules to give effect to the provisions of this 
section, and while framing the rules it  may classify land into different categories and 
prescribe different principles of assessment of compensation.] 
184
[114-B. Removal of doubts .– Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or 
any other law for the time being in force or any decree, judgment , or order of any 
Court or any other authority, an occupancy tenant under a muqarraridar shall be 
deemed and be deemed always to have, on the extinction of his occupancy rights 
under section 114, become the owner of the rights possessed by the muqarraridar  in 
the entire or, as the case may be, in a part of the land comprised in his tenancy and 
in respect of such land section 114-A shall have effect accordingly.] 
185
[115. Limits of holding for personal cultivation .– (1) No person owning more 
than 100 acres of land shall have in his possession for personal cultivation any 
irrigated culturable land exceeding 50 acres. 
Explanation.– Where any such person has in his possession any such land jointly or 
in partnership with any one else, only his own share of the land  in such possession 
shall be taken into consideration in computing the 50 acres for the purpose of this 
sub-section. 
 (2) If a person owning more than 100 acres of land has in his possession 
culturable land in excess of 50 acres, he shall within three mont hs of the date on 
which the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952, comes into force, and if such 
person is in the military service of Pakistan on that date, then within six months of his 
release from such service, let out the area in excess of 50 acres to t enants on terms 
permissible under the law: 
 Provided that if the said land in excess of 50 acres is under crop at the time of 
the coming into force of the aforesaid Act, it shall be so let out within one month of 
the removal of the crop: 
 Provided further that if the land to be let out has been prepared for sowing, 
the person who has so prepared it shall be entitled to compensation from the person 
to whom the land is let out, and such compensation and the mode of its payment 
shall, in case of a dispute, be assessed and determined by the Revenue -Officer 
referred to in sub -section (4) in accordance with the provisions of this Act, in so far 
as these may be applicable. 
 (3) Where a person not owning more than 100 acres of land on the date of 
the coming into for ce of the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952, acquires by 
any means more land which alongwith land already owned by him totals more than 
100 acres, he shall, within three months of such acquisition, let out to tenants so 
much of the land as is in his possession in excess of 50 acres of culturable land, and 
the provisos to sub-section (2) shall in so far as applicable apply to this case. 
 (4) If any person who is required by sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) to let 
out any land fails to find suitable tena nts, he shall, before the expiry of the period 
fixed by the relevant sub -section, intimate the fact in writing to the Revenue -Officer, 
                                                 
184Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Removal of Doubts and Amendment) Act, 1975 (XXXVIII of 1975), w.e.f. 2.12.1974, s.4; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 25.6.1975, pages 942-YYY to 942-BBBB.  
185Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 1952 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.5; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
who would be competent under the law to entertain an application for the ejectment 
of the tenant from the land, if such l and had been let out to him, and such Revenue -
Officer shall proceed in accordance with such rules as may be framed by 
Government to find suitable tenants for the land. 
 (5) When a person acts under sub -section (4), he shall let out the land to 
tenants recommended by the Revenue-Officer, and in case he fails to do so, he shall 
be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this section, and besides any other 
penalty which may be imposed on him under the law, the Revenue -Officer referred 
to in sub -section (4) shall have the power to settle tenants on the land which such 
person is keeping in excess of the limits prescribed by this section: 
 Provided that if the Revenue -Officer fails to find tenants for the land, and in 
consequence thereof such person continues  to occupy any land in excess of the 
prescribed limits, he will not be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this 
section: 
 Provided further that in a case covered by the first proviso the Revenue -
Officer will have the power to settle tenants on the  land at proper time, whenever he 
is able to find suitable persons for this purpose. 
 (6) Where a person has in accordance with the provisions of sub -section 
(2) or sub-section (3) made a choice with respect to the land which he is to keep for 
his personal cultivation, he shall not thereafter have the right to claim any other land 
in lieu of the whole or part of that land, even though he may have lost that land 
through alienation: 
 Provided that he shall have the right of exchanging the said area of 50 acre s 
or any part thereof with any land in which he may acquire proprietary rights, by 
inheritance, after having made the said choice: 
 Provided further that if the land reserved by a person for personal cultivation 
or any portion thereof is compulsorily acqui red by the Provincial or the 
186
[Federal 
Government], or is rendered darya burd, or if 50 per centum or more of such land is 
rendered totally unculturable on account of the action of Sem or Thur, the said 
person shall be entitled to so much additional area, as with the area, if any, still in his 
possession, and in the last mentioned case, the area fit for cultivation, will make up 
50 acres. 
 (7) Land attached to and used for the purposes of a cattle farm or a stud 
farm recognised by Government shall be exempt  from the provisions of this section. 
But an owner of any such farm shall not be entitled to retain for personal cultivation 
any other land, even though the land attached to such farm is less than 50 acres. 
Explanation.– For the purposes of this sub -section a cattle farm means a farm of 
agricultural land which is exclusively reserved for the purposes of breeding cattle, 
and a stud -farm means a farm of such land exclusively reserved for breeding of 
horses or mules. 
 (8) A person who owns 25 acres of land or more shall not be selected or 
given any land as a tenant under sub -section (2), (3), (4) or (5) and no tenant shall 
be allowed more than 25 acres as such. 
                                                 
186Substituted for the words “ Central Government” by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P.O. No.4 of 1975), w.e.f 
1.8.1975 Article 2 & Schedule; and published in Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), pages435-467. 
 (9) Government may, by notification in the official gazette, exempt any 
person or class of persons o wning land or any land or class of land from the 
operation of this section. 
Explanation 1.– For the purposes of computing the area for personal cultivation an 
acre of unirrigated culturable land shall be counted as half an acre and the terms 
irrigated and unirrigated shall be defined by rules framed by Government under this 
Act, and if there is in the opinion of the Government any land which does not fall 
under these two categories, the rules shall prescribe a separate category for it, and 
shall fix the rat io which such land shall bear in relation to irrigated land for purposes 
of such computation. 
Explanation 2.– For the purposes of this section, land under a garden which is in 
existence on the date of the coming into force of the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment)  
Act, 1952, and which according to the nature of the trees planted is deemed fully 
covered, shall not be treated as culturable even though any portion thereof may be fit 
or actually used for purposes of cultivation. But if a garden is planted in any land 
after the coming into force of the aforesaid Act, the land thereunder shall be treated 
as culturable. 
Explanation 3 .– For the purposes of this section, if land, which according to the 
provisions of the revenue law for the time being in force is banjar qadee m and is 
shown in revenue record as such is brought under cultivation or a garden is planted 
therein, shall continue to be treated as not culturable. 
Explanation 4 .– For the purposes of this section cultivation through any direct 
descendant of the person o wning land or his wife or servant or hired labour shall be 
treated as personal cultivation by the said person. 
Explanation 5 .– For the purposes of this section a mortgagee of land with 
possession, a tenant of Government land under the 
187
[Colonization of Gov ernment 
Lands (Punjab) Act, 1912], who has not acquired proprietary rights, a lessee other 
than a lessee of 
188
[Government land], and an allottee whether provisional or 
permanent of land under the law for the rehabilitation of refugees for the time being 
in force shall be deemed to be a person owning such land]. 
189
[116. Offences.– (a) If any landlord– 
(i) recovers from any tenant anything in the shape of a cess, village cess 
or other contribution or due or any other free service in addition to the 
rent payable in respect of the land held by the latter under the former; 
or 
(ii) recovers from the tenant in lieu of the seed supplied to him anything in 
excess of the seed actually supplied; or 
(iii) ejects a tenant forcibly or against the provisions of law; or 
                                                 
187Substituted for “Colonization of Crown Lands Act, 1912” by the Punjab Laws (Adaption, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV 
of 1955), w.e.f.21.1.1955, s.2 and first schedule; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 87-108. 
188Substituted for the words “Crown land” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaption) Order, 1964, (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 
8.6.1962, s.2 and Schedule; and published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary) dated 3.6.1964, pages 1805-1849. 
189Added by the Punjab Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 19 52 (VII of 1952), w.e.f.4.2.1952, s.5; and published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 85-92. 
(b) if any person owning land contravenes the provisions of section 
115; or 
(c) if any tenant refuses or fails to vacate any land in compliance 
with an order passed by competent authority– 
he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment of either 
description which may extend to one year or fine or with both]. 
 
190
[THE SCHEDULE * * * * *] 
                                                 
190Repealed by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891),s.2 and the first schedule; and published in the Gazette of India, dated 
21.3.1891.