Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan] The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has intensified its enforcement campaign against illegal construction by sealing 11 buildings, including a multi storey structure, during a major operation conducted across various housing schemes in the city. According to an RDA spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the directions of the competent authority as part of the authority’s continuing efforts to curb unauthorized construction and ensure compliance with approved building plans and development regulations. The enforcement team sealed eight illegally constructed residential buildings and two commercial buildings found to be in violation of planning and construction laws. In addition, a multi storey building was sealed after officials determined that it had deviated from its approved building plan and breached other applicable building regulations. The action was taken under the provisions of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, the Rawalpindi Development Authority Building and Zoning Regulations, and other relevant urban planning laws governing construction and land development. The operation was supervised by Deputy Director Planning Muhammad Daud, accompanied by Building Inspector Shafiqur Rahman and members of the RDA Enforcement Squad. Officials inspected multiple sites before taking action against buildings found to be non compliant with the approved development framework. The RDA said the campaign forms part of its broader strategy to discourage illegal construction, strengthen urban planning standards and prevent unregulated development that could compromise public safety and infrastructure. The authority emphasized that unauthorized buildings not only violate planning regulations but also create long term challenges for civic infrastructure, traffic management and public services. Officials noted that strict enforcement is essential to maintaining orderly urban growth and preserving the integrity of approved housing schemes. The spokesperson further stated that the ongoing crackdown is intended to protect the interests of genuine property owners, homebuyers and investors by ensuring that construction activities comply with legal requirements and approved development plans. Reaffirming the authority’s commitment to transparent enforcement, the spokesperson said the RDA would continue taking legal action against unauthorized construction without discrimination and warned developers and property owners against undertaking any building activity without obtaining the required approvals from the relevant authorities.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has directed the Communication and Works (C&W) Department to complete the Rawalpindi/Murree/Kohala (RMK) Road project by August, accelerating efforts to improve connectivity between Rawalpindi, Murree and Kohala while easing growing traffic congestion on the Murree Expressway. The directive was issued by Punjab Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth during an inspection of the under construction project, which forms a key component of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Murree Development Plan. The minister, accompanied by senior officials of the C&W Department, reviewed construction quality and progress along more than 31 kilometres of the road corridor. Officials briefed the minister that the project has reached approximately 60% physical completion, with work on the remaining sections continuing at an accelerated pace to meet the government's completion target. Bharth instructed the department to ensure that the August deadline is achieved without compromising engineering quality, construction standards or public safety. Once completed, the RMK Road is expected to provide an alternative and more efficient route to Murree and Kohala, significantly improving regional connectivity. The project is also intended to reduce travel time, enhance road safety, facilitate economic activity and strengthen tourism infrastructure by offering better access to one of Punjab’s busiest hill destinations. The upgraded road is expected to ease pressure on the Murree Expressway, which experiences heavy traffic, particularly during weekends, holidays and peak tourist seasons. Improved road infrastructure is also anticipated to benefit local communities by enhancing access to markets, services and economic opportunities. Meanwhile, construction-related closures along portions of the RMK Road have diverted a substantial volume of traffic onto the Murree Expressway at a time when tourist arrivals continue to increase. In response, the City Traffic Police Murree has introduced a special traffic management plan to minimise congestion and maintain smooth traffic flow. Under the plan, additional traffic personnel have been deployed at key intersections, major roads and popular tourist destinations across Murree. Authorities have also advised motorists to use alternative routes wherever possible, follow official traffic advisories and cooperate with traffic wardens to reduce delays during the ongoing construction period. The Punjab government has reiterated that timely completion of the project remains a priority, describing the RMK Road as an important infrastructure initiative that will improve mobility, strengthen regional integration and support the long-term development of the Murree tourism corridor.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan] The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has reached 98% completion, with only the installation of the toll plaza remaining before the strategic transport corridor becomes operational. The Punjab government has also approved a dedicated policing and management system to oversee traffic enforcement, security and day to day operations once the road opens to the public. The progress was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani, where officials presented updates on construction, traffic management arrangements and landscaping plans for the 38.3 kilometre project. Officials informed the meeting that all major civil works have been completed, including the main carriageway, flyovers, subways, interchanges, nullah bridges, river bridges and railway bridges. Road barriers, lane markings, traffic signboards and street lighting have also been installed, leaving the toll plaza as the final component before completion. Under the approved operational framework, the Punjab Ring Road Authority will manage the toll plaza, collect tolls in accordance with rates notified by the Punjab government and oversee traffic management along the corridor. A dedicated policing and management system will also be established to ensure effective law enforcement, road safety, security and administrative control. The Punjab government has so far released more than Rs 29 billion for the project, while the remaining funds are expected to be disbursed in the coming weeks to complete the outstanding works. During the meeting, Commissioner Ghani directed the relevant departments to accelerate the remaining activities, including landscaping, tree plantation and grassing along both sides of the road, so that the project can be completed and opened to traffic without delay. Once operational, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to significantly ease congestion by diverting heavy traffic away from the city's urban areas. The project is also expected to improve traffic flow on major routes, including GT Road, Peshawar Road and Murree Road, while reducing travel time, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. Authorities believe the new corridor will provide safer, faster and more efficient transport, while strengthening regional connectivity and supporting long-term urban and economic development in the Rawalpindi region.