Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan Property registrations across Rawalpindi District have slowed significantly following the implementation of a mandatory physical property inspection requirement for all land transactions, according to property dealers and local reports. The new procedure, introduced as part of the land registration process, requires revenue officials to complete on site verification before any sale can be formally registered. Under the revised rules, patwaris and girdawars must physically inspect each property, verify its boundaries, measure the land, record details of the adjoining road network and prepare the relevant land records before registration documents can be processed. Official notices displayed at registrar offices state that these inspections are compulsory for every property offered for sale. The additional verification step has reportedly caused delays at registrar offices throughout the district, with property professionals saying the registration process has become considerably slower than before. According to the Property Dealers Union, transactions that were previously completed within approximately two days are now taking as long as two weeks because inspections by both the patwari and the girdawar must be completed before registration can proceed. The union also argued that the new requirement has reduced the effectiveness of Punjab's recently introduced Green Property Certificate system, which was designed to simplify and accelerate property transactions through greater digitisation and transparency. Property dealers further highlighted that internet connectivity issues continue to disrupt online registration services, forcing greater reliance on manual field inspections. They contend that the combination of technical challenges and mandatory physical verification has created additional procedural hurdles for buyers and sellers. Industry representatives have expressed concern that the extended registration process could create more opportunities for administrative delays and discretionary practices, potentially affecting ordinary citizens, investors and overseas Pakistanis seeking to buy or transfer property in Rawalpindi. Despite the criticism from stakeholders, the mandatory inspection requirement remains in force, with authorities requiring physical verification as part of efforts to ensure the accuracy of land records and property boundaries before ownership transfers are officially recorded.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority has reopened the city’s only multi storey parking plaza at Fawara Chowk after a 20 day closure caused by unpaid dues totaling Rs 48.2 million. The authority has taken direct control of the facility and introduced a self collection system, under which RDA staff will manage daily parking operations and collect revenue directly. According to official sources, the previous contractor had failed to clear outstanding payments for seven consecutive months. The dispute later reached court, where the contractor reportedly offered to pay Rs 15 million. The RDA rejected the proposal and maintained that the full outstanding amount must be paid. The parking plaza was sealed on July 12. Although the authority subsequently secured a court ruling in its favour, the facility remained closed for 20 days, resulting in an estimated daily revenue loss of more than Rs 100,000. The closure also created considerable difficulties for motorists and traders in the heavily congested Fawara Chowk area, as the plaza is Rawalpindi’s only purpose built multi storey parking facility. The facility resumed operations on August 1. To strengthen financial oversight and ensure timely transfer of collected revenue into the authority’s accounts, the RDA has established a Vigilance and Revenue Collection Committee. Officials said the new arrangement is intended to improve transparency, prevent revenue leakage and ensure more effective management of the parking facility. The authority has also decided to award the parking contract through an open auction scheduled for August 17. The bidding process is expected to introduce a new operator under revised terms and stronger monitoring mechanisms.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has issued show cause notices to the owners and developers of 13 illegal and unapproved housing schemes and land subdivisions for allegedly carrying out unauthorized development, advertising, plot bookings, and sales without obtaining the required legal approvals. The notices were issued by the Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MP&TE) Directorate as part of the authority's ongoing campaign against illegal housing developments operating within the Rawalpindi region. According to the RDA, the housing schemes were found to be in violation of Section 12(5) of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, and Rule 4 of the Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules, 2021. The authority stated that the developers had initiated various activities without securing the mandatory approvals and no objection certificates (NOCs) required under the law. The RDA has directed the owners and sponsors of the schemes to immediately stop all development work, marketing campaigns, plot bookings, and sale and purchase activities. They have also been instructed to submit written explanations within seven days of receiving the notices. The authority warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period could result in further legal proceedings under the applicable laws. It also cautioned that daily fines ranging from PKR 5,000 to PKR 20,000 may be imposed under Section 37 of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, depending on the size and nature of the housing scheme. In addition, the RDA advised members of the public to exercise caution before investing in any housing project. Prospective buyers have been urged to verify the legal approval status of housing schemes through the relevant authorities before making any financial commitments. The authority further instructed the sponsors of unapproved housing projects to immediately discontinue promotional and marketing activities and complete all legal requirements, including obtaining the necessary approvals and NOCs, before launching or selling their schemes. RDA Director General Salman Ghani directed the MP&TE Directorate to continue strict enforcement against illegal housing schemes and other unauthorized development activities, reaffirming the authority's commitment to protecting public interests and ensuring planned urban development across Rawalpindi.