Islamabad (Lord Media): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered a significant verdict regarding compensation for land acquired for a canal project in Swabi. The court ruled that land valuation should not solely rely on official rates but must also consider market value, potential land use, and future significance. The court rejected all civil appeals filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, upholding the decisions of the Peshawar High Court and the Reference Court.
In the Swabi land compensation case, landowners argued that the government-set compensation was below the actual value of their land. Both the Reference Court and the Peshawar High Court had increased the compensation in favor of the landowners, a decision now upheld by the Supreme Court.
The court emphasized that compensation should include the actual market value of the land, its usage nature, future development prospects, and locational importance. Additionally, the court stated that any delays in land acquisition should factor in inflation and rising property prices.
The Supreme Court reiterated that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees property protection rights to every citizen, necessitating fair and legal compensation by the state. By dismissing all appeals from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the court has paved the way for increased compensation to the affected landowners in Swabi. This decision sets a crucial legal precedent for determining compensation for land acquired for government projects nationwide.
