THE PUNJAB SURVEY AND RECTANGULATION OF 
LANDS ORDINANCE, 1959 
(XXXIV of 1959) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Power to direct survey and rectangulation. 
3. Assessment and recovery of costs. 
4. Penalty. 
5. Indemnity. 
6. Bar to jurisdiction of Civil Courts. 
7. Power to make rules. 
TEXT 
1
THE 
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[PUNJAB] SURVEY AND RECTANGULATION OF LANDS 
ORDINANCE, 1959 
(XXXIV of 1959) 
[1 June 1959] 
An 
Ordinance 
to provide for the survey and rectangulation of lands. 
Preamble.– WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for carrying out the survey 
and rectangulation of land in any area in the Province of 
3
[the Punjab]; 
 NOW, THEREFORE , in pursuance of the Presidential Proclamation of the 
seventh day of October, 1958, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that 
behalf, the Governor of West Pakista n is pleased to make and promulgate the 
following Ordinance:– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called 
the 
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[Punjab] Survey and Rectangulation of Lands Ordinance, 1959. 
 
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[(2) It extends to the whole of the Province of 
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[the Punjab] , except the 
Tribal Areas.] 
 (3) It shall come into force in such area and on such date as the Board of 
Revenue, 
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[Punjab] may by notification direct. 
2. Power to direct survey and rectangulation .– Notwithstanding anything 
contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Board of Revenue, 
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[Punjab] may, by notification, direct that survey and rectangulation of land in any 
area be carried out; provided that, as far as possible, the area of an owner’s holding 
shall not, as a result of such operations, be reduced. 
                                                           
1This Ordinance was promulgated by the Governor of West Pakist an on May 29, 1959 , published in the Gazette  of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated June 1, 1959, pp. 469-470; saved and given permanent effect by Article 225 of the Constitution 
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (1962). 
2Substituted for the words “West  Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order,  1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 14.8.1973), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, pp. 1425-A-1425-PP, Article 3 read with Schedule, 
Part III, Serial No. 27. 
3Ibid. 
4Ibid. 
5Substituted by the West Pakistan Laws (Extension to Karachi) Ordinance, 1964 (VII of 1964), published in the Gazette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1964, pp. 1679-1688, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 26. 
6Substituted for the words “West Pa kistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order,  1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 14.8.1973), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, pp. 1425-A-1425-PP, Article 3 read with Schedule, 
Part III, Serial No. 27. 
7Ibid. 
8Ibid. 
3. Assessment and recovery of costs .– The cost of the survey, and 
rectangulation operations shall be assessed and recovered from the persons whose 
holdings are affected in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made under this 
Ordinance: 
 Provided that Provincial Government may remit, in whole or in part, the cost of 
such operations. 
4. Penalty.– Whoever obstructs or prevents any operations under this 
Ordinance, or fails to comply with any provisions of the rules made thereunder , shall, 
on a complaint made in writing by any Revenue Officer, be punished with 
imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one 
thousand rupees or with both. 
5. Indemnity.– No suit or other legal proceedings shall be main tainable in 
respect of the exercise of any powers or discretion conferred by this Ordinance or 
rules made thereunder, or against any public servant or person duly appointed or 
authorised under this Ordinance or the rules, in respect of anything in good fai th 
done, or purporting to be done under this Ordinance or the rules. 
6. Bar to jurisdiction of Civil Courts .– No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to 
entertain any claim, suit or other legal proceedings in respect of any act done in 
pursuance of the provisions of this Ordinance. 
7. Power to make rules .– The Board of Revenue , 
1
[Punjab], may frame such 
rules as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Ordinance. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order,  1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 14.8.1973), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, pp. 1425-A-1425-PP, Article 3 read with Schedule, 
Part III, Serial No. 27.