RAWALPINDI (special crosspondent) – Following direct instructions from the Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division and the Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Salman Ghani, the Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MP&TE) Directorate has initiated enforcement actions against several unauthorized residential projects. This regulatory drive reflects broader government efforts to maintain order in urban planning, similar to recent initiatives where authorities have sought to address infrastructure challenges, such as the LCCI President’s call for improved traffic management at Lahore International Airport to ensure orderly development.

Details of Targeted Housing Schemes

The RDA has officially served show cause notices to the owners and CEOs of 13 housing schemes and land sub-divisions. The list of projects currently under scrutiny includes Bahria Town Phase-VIII Extension, Capital Smart City Phase-III, and Qurtaba City Extension. Other affected entities include Blue Sky Garden, Aqua Green Farms, and Mughal Farms located at Mari Jabbar Road. Additionally, notices have been issued to Kohistan Enclave Extension-I, the farm house projects managed by Azhar Kyani, Fakhar Kyani, and Nadeem Qureshi at Kallar Syedan Road Sagri, and the land sub-division of Muhammad Jamil at Kalla Syedan Road Shah Bagh.

The crackdown also encompasses the land sub-division project of Ali Properties and Developers at Sarwar Shaheen Road Mandra, Bhagwal Valley by Raqba Tarash Builders and Developers, the farm houses of Slaeem Baloch near Mandara Chakwal Road Bhakar Adda, and Sakhi Town, a project of Zone Property at Mandra Chakwal Road Rawalpindi.

Violations and Regulatory Warning

According to the authority, these projects have engaged in illegal development, unauthorized plot bookings, and illicit marketing campaigns via social media platforms. Such activities constitute clear violations of Section 12 (5) of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, and Rule 04 of the Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules, 2021. The RDA has issued a stern warning to the general public, advising against investments in these unapproved ventures. This emphasis on regulatory compliance aligns with wider governance goals, as seen in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts to target tax evasion and the informal economy, which underscore the state’s commitment to formalizing business operations.

Legal Consequences and Inter-Agency Coordination

Under Section 37 of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, the RDA holds the authority to impose daily penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, depending on the scale of the project. Furthermore, the RDA has formally notified the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad, the Cyber Crime Wing, and the SNGPL Islamabad regarding these illegal advertisements. The developers in question have allegedly made false claims regarding their status, specifically claiming to have obtained No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the RDA when no such approval exists.

Affected owners have been directed to cease all development, advertisement, and commercial activities immediately. They are required to submit a formal written response within seven days of receiving the notice. Failure to comply will result in further legal proceedings without additional warning. The Director General has mandated that the MP&TE Directorate continue its rigorous enforcement against all unauthorized developments, commercial encroachment, and illegal booking offices, ensuring that policy continuity remains a priority for sustainable development in the region.