A Special Division Bench of the Lahore High Court has rendered judgment in two cases raising significant questions concerning the interpretation and application of sections 2(b), 22(6) and 24 of the Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009, in which Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, appeared as amicus curiae to assist the Court on the questions of law involved.
The proceedings arose against the backdrop of conflicting views expressed by different Single Benches of the Lahore High Court on the questions requiring determination. The matters had initially come before a Single Bench which, having noticed the divergence in judicial opinion and the importance of settling the controversy, referred the cases to the Chief Justice with a request that they be placed before a Division Bench for authoritative determination. The Chief Justice subsequently directed that the matters be heard by a Division Bench.
On 4 May 2026, the Special Division Bench appointed Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as amicus curiae to assist the Court in resolving the legal questions involved.
The cases were heard at length during June 2026, with the proceedings extending over several days. Following extensive submissions, judgment was reserved on 30 June 2026 and was pronounced on 16 September 2026..
The judgment does not accept the interpretation advanced by Imran Hassan Ali in his submissions as amicus curiae. Interestingly, however, the Court ultimately arrived at the very result which Imran had invited the Court to reach. Although the Court ultimately adopted a different legal route from that proposed by the amicus curiae, the fact that the conclusion reached corresponds with the result advocated in his submissions gives the judgment particular legal interest. It also illustrates an important feature of appellate advocacy: the Court may arrive at the same destination while adopting a different route in its reasoning.
In this respect, readers’ attention is invited especially to paragraphs 29 and 38 of the judgment.
The judgment has been reported at 2026 LHC 5680. It can be accessed online at the Lahore High Court website by clicking here.
It is a great honour for Imran to have been asked to appear as amicus curiae in a matter involving conflicting precedents and questions requiring authoritative consideration by a Division Bench. It is a significant professional distinction.
All praise is for Allah alone!
On 23-02-2026, Barrister Ch. Imran Hassan Ali and Mr. Sheikh Zameer Hussain were appointed as amici curiae (friends of the court) in multiple cases. It is a double honour for Imran. To be appointed as amicus curiae by the High Court is always a great honour. However, in this case, it was a special honour to be appointed amicus curiae alongside Mr. Sheikh Zameer Hussain who is the most senior and eminent lawyer based in Rawalpindi. All praise is for Allah alone!
The cases involved proper interpretation and application of various provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The cases were heard from 22-04-2026 to 29-04-2026. On 29-04-2026, the Court decided the main case, while adjourning the connected cases.
Watch this page for further updates on this story.
The Lahore High Court appointed Barrister Ch. Imran Hassan Ali and Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Sheikh as amici curie (friends of the court) in a case. It was a double honour for Imran. To be appointed as amicus curiae by the High Court is always a great honour. It was an additional honour to be appointed alongside Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Sheikh as Mr. Sheikh is one of the most prominent and experienced civil lawyers of the country, based in Rawalpindi.
The case involved important questions regarding inheritance rights of—and the validity of relinquishment of inheritance rights by—women. In also required interpretation and proper application of sections 11 and 12 and Order XXIII, Rule 1 and 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
On 11-03-2026, Barrister Ch. Imran Hassan Ali appeared before the court and made submissions as amicus curiae. Accepting the submissions of the amici curiae, the Court dismissed the civil revision application with costs.
The judgment has been reported at 2026 LHC 1762 and PLJ 2026 Lahore 513. It can be downloaded from the Lahore High Court website by clicking here.
All praise is for Allah alone!
On 11-02-2026, the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, appointed Barrister Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as the amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a case pertaining to the Punjab Land Acquisition Rules.
The Petitioners are seeking return of their land that was acquired for the purposes of a railway line for the Mangla Dam project. They argue that the land is no more required for the project and should be returned to them.
This appointment is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
Watch this page for updates on this case.
On 28-09-2021, Ch. Imran Hassan Ali was appointed amicus curiae (friend of the court) by the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, to assist the Court in a case raising questions of first impression regarding proper interpretation of various provisions of Orders IX and XXXVII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
The case was finally heard by a full bench of the Court on 27-11-2025 and 03-12-2025 when Imran had the honour of appearing before the full bench.
The judgment is reported at 2025 LHC 7173 and PLJ 2026 Lahore 146. It can be downloaded directly from the Lahore High Court website by clicking here.
It was a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
On 11 December 2025, the Lahore High Court appointed Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a matter relating to Family Law. The case raises important questions concerning the true scope and interpretation of sections 17 and 17-A of the Family Courts Act, 1964.
The case was heard and decided in March, 2026, after hearing submissions of the amicus curiae.
The appointment is a significant professional distinction for Imran.
All praise is due to Allah alone!
On 22-10-2025, a Division Bench of the Lahore High Court appointed Ch. Imran Hassan Ali as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a case related to the Contract Act, 1872, the Specific Relief Act, 1877, and the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984. The Court seeks assistance on whether an oral contract for the sale of immovable property can be considered valid and enforceable in the absence of a written agreement, and what evidential standards apply to establish such an oral agreement. Additionally, the case involves the question of under what circumstances a court may order the purchaser in such an agreement to deposit the outstanding sale consideration in court, and what legal consequences would follow if the purchaser fails to make the required deposit.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
Watch this space for further updates on this case.
The Lahore High Court was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a case about the liability of an adoptive father to pay maintenance to an adopted daughter. The adoptive parents had divorced and the child was residing with the adoptive mother.
On 30-05-2025, Imran appeared as amicus curiae and assisted the court. Agreeing with Imran’s submissions, the Court was pleased to remand the case to the trial court for de novo trial.
The title of the case is Shahid vs Additional District Judge and others (W.P. No. 2012/2021).
All praise is for Allah alone!
On 20-05-2025, the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a case under banking laws. It is a suit in original civil jurisdiction of the High Court instituted by M/s Islamabad Farms against MCB Bank Limited. It involves legal questions about the validity of a mortgage charge and the bank’s liability to compensate the customer for its failure to release funds under a finance facility.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
The case is at an initial stage at present. Watch this space for updates on further developments in this case.
On 03-03-2025, a Single Bench of the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a case under the Defamation Ordinance, 2002.
Arguments are expected to be heard after Ramadan.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
Please watch this space for updates on this case.