Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has reviewed the proposed land use and zoning plan along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor, with a focus on coordinated urban development, land acquisition priorities and sector wise planning for future growth.
A high-level meeting in this regard was held at the RDA office on Wednesday under the directions of Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Amir Khattak and Director General RDA. The meeting was chaired by Additional Director General RDA Masood Ahmad Bukhari.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Planner of RDA, representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Deputy Director Local Government, the CEO Health Rawalpindi and other relevant officials.
According to an RDA press release, the participants were briefed through a detailed presentation on the decisions taken during the previous meeting held on May 15, 2026. The presentation covered priority areas identified for land acquisition in different blocks along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor and highlighted the role of various departments in the effective implementation of the proposed land use plan.
The meeting also reviewed zoning proposals for the corridor. Representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized the need for properly planned commercial and industrial zones along the Ring Road route to support business activity, investment and employment opportunities.
Officials informed the participants that adequate commercial and industrial areas had already been included in the proposed plan. They said the initiative is aimed at supporting economic growth, ensuring sustainable development and improving regional connectivity through planned land use.
Representatives of the health and local government departments appreciated the planning exercise and acknowledged the efforts of RDA in preparing a comprehensive framework for the development of areas along the Ring Road corridor. They also assured their cooperation for the successful implementation of the proposed plan.
The meeting was further informed that the proposed land use and zoning plan would be shared with the relevant tehsil councils for feedback and recommendations.
Officials said this consultative process would help ensure that local bodies are taken on board before finalizing the framework.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, while participants reiterated their commitment to inter-departmental coordination, planned development and sustainable growth along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
Traders and business representatives have urged the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to allocate additional commercial and industrial land along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor, saying that proper zoning is essential to promote investment, trade and long-term economic activity in the region.
The demand was raised during a meeting on land use planning for areas along the Rawalpindi Ring Road, held at the RDA headquarters on Wednesday. The meeting was convened on the directions of Commissioner Rawalpindi and RDA Director General Engineer Amir Khattak.
RDA Additional Director General Masood Ahmad Bukhari chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Planner of RDA, representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Deputy Director of Local Government, and the Chief Executive Officer of Health Rawalpindi.
According to an RDA press release, the participants were briefed in detail about the decisions taken during the previous meeting held on May 15, 2026. The forum reviewed priority areas identified for land acquisition in different blocks and discussed the responsibilities of relevant departments for implementing the proposed land use plan.
Representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed that appropriate commercial and industrial zoning along the Ring Road corridor would play a key role in supporting business activity, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities. They called for additional commercial land to be included in the plan to meet future economic needs.
RDA officials informed the meeting that sufficient commercial and industrial areas had already been incorporated into the proposed plan. They said the planning framework was designed to support sustainable regional development while ensuring organized growth along the Ring Road corridor.
The Deputy Director of Local Government and the CEO of Health Rawalpindi appreciated the planning efforts and praised RDA’s work on the project. Participants also assured their cooperation for the successful implementation of the proposed land use strategy.
The Deputy Director of Local Government further said that the proposed plan would be shared with relevant tehsil councils to seek their feedback and recommendations. Officials said this step would help make the planning process more consultative and inclusive.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, as all stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated planning and sustainable development along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has entered a crucial phase as its June 30 deadline approaches, with around 90 percent of construction work completed but key portions of the project still unfinished.
According to officials of the divisional administration and Rawalpindi Development Authority, about 10 percent of the work remains pending on the Rs47 billion project.
They expressed concern that the road may not be fully completed within the deadline set by Rawalpindi Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak, who is also serving as the project director.
Officials said more than eight kilometres of road carpeting is still pending, while important side works related to drainage, right of way and roadside safety have also not been completed. Installation of lampposts and lights is under way and may take around a month to finish.
Even if construction work is completed by June 30, officials said the road may require additional time before it can be opened for traffic. They said the provincial government is expected to send a team to inspect the project and decide whether the road is fit for public use.
Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri said asphalt work on 38 kilometres of the road had already been completed, while work on the remaining eight-kilometre portion was likely to be completed within the stipulated time. However, he was not certain whether the road would be opened for traffic by the end of June.
He said work on the Thalian Interchange is expected to begin after the completion of the main Ring Road project, most likely in July.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road spans 38.3 kilometres from Baanth on G.T. Road to Thalian near the Motorway. The project includes five interchanges at Baanth, Maira Mohra, Khasala, Kolian Parr and Thalian. An industrial zone is also planned along the road corridor.
The Rawalpindi Development Authority is the executing agency for the project, while Frontier Works Organisation is carrying out the construction work. Around 8,992 kanals of land has been acquired for the project at a cost of Rs 6.7 billion.
The road has been designed as a six-lane controlled-access corridor with a 90-metre right of way and a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour. The project also includes two river bridges, 12 bridges over nullahs, one railway bridge near Baanth and 11 overpasses.
The Ring Road project has gone through several changes over the years. During the PTI government, a 68-kilometre alignment was initially planned, but work was later stopped following a financial scam. A revised 38.3-kilometre alignment was subsequently approved.
Former prime minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the project in March 2022. Later, the PDM government led by Shehbaz Sharif temporarily halted the project before allowing it to proceed after third-party validation. Shehbaz Sharif also laid the foundation stone at Rawat on August 8, 2023.
The project is considered one of the most important road infrastructure schemes for Rawalpindi, as it is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve regional connectivity and support future industrial and commercial development along the corridor. However, with several components still incomplete, its formal opening for traffic may depend on inspection, safety clearance and final finishing work.