Evicting parents from homes ‘a criminal offence’ in Pakistan

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government has finally promulgated an ordinance for protecting parents against forced eviction by their children from homes.
President Arif Alvi issued the ordinance “Protection of Parents Ordinance 2021” under article 89 of the Constitution.

The ordinance made forced eviction of parents liable to punishment including one-year jail term and fine, besides award of both to those found guilty. Parents would have the protection of residing in case their siblings were the owners of houses or they rent them out.

In cases where the ownership rights vest with parents, they can ask their children to vacate houses. In case of written notice, the children would be bound to vacate it accordingly.

In failure to vacate the residences on time, they would have to undergo a 30-day jail term with fine or both.

The district deputy commissioners have been given the authority to proceed in accordance with law in case the vacation notice is not complied with.

Police could make arrests without warrants in these cases and present the arrested ones before the magistrate. Under the ordinance, both parents and their children have been given the right to appeal.