Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani has directed the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to intensify action against illegal housing schemes, unauthorized development and land-use violations across the authority’s jurisdiction, as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of the city’s rapidly expanding property and urban development sector. The directives were issued during a meeting at the RDA where officials reviewed land-use matters, housing schemes, development activities and ongoing enforcement operations. The meeting focused on improving regulatory monitoring and ensuring that residential and commercial development proceeds in accordance with approved planning and land-use regulations. Commissioner Ghani instructed RDA officials to strengthen the monitoring of housing schemes and unauthorized development while ensuring that enforcement mechanisms remain effective and transparent. He particularly emphasized the use of geo-tagging, verified land records and modern technology to improve field monitoring and identify violations at an early stage. He also ordered regular reviews of both approved and unapproved housing schemes to prevent unauthorized development, construction and marketing activities. The exercise is intended to help authorities maintain updated information about the legal status and development activities of housing schemes operating within the RDA’s jurisdiction. The commissioner stressed that records relating to land use, housing schemes and development projects must remain accurate, updated and properly verified. Officials were directed to take timely action whenever discrepancies, planning violations or unauthorized activities are detected. The meeting also reviewed the need for stronger documentation of enforcement operations. Ghani directed relevant departments to maintain proper records of actions taken against violations and ensure systematic follow-up so that identified breaches do not remain unresolved. Greater coordination among RDA departments was also ordered, particularly in matters involving planning approvals, land-use records, site inspections, housing scheme status and enforcement actions. Improved information-sharing, according to the directives, would help authorities respond more efficiently to violations and strengthen regulatory control over urban development. The commissioner said accurate land and planning records, regular field inspections, geo-tagging and modern technological tools could significantly improve the RDA’s ability to monitor development activities and respond promptly to unauthorized construction and other violations. The renewed enforcement drive comes as Rawalpindi’s housing and real-estate sector continues to expand, increasing the importance of effective planning oversight, verified land records and compliance with approved development frameworks.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has launched the land acquisition process for a major water supply project aimed at strengthening Rawalpindi’s long-term water infrastructure, with 25 acres of privately owned land identified near Kak Pul for the construction of key facilities linked to the Daducha Dam Water Supply Project. Authorities have imposed Section 4 on the identified land, formally initiating the acquisition process. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has also approached the District Price Assessment Committee to determine the value of the land before proceeding with acquisition. The land will be used for the construction of a water treatment plant, pumping station and water distribution infrastructure required to supply water from Daducha Dam to Rawalpindi. Under the project, the city and cantonment areas will receive a combined 35 million gallons of treated water per day, with the supply planned to be divided equally between the two areas. The overall water supply package, excluding the dam construction itself, has an estimated cost of Rs 36 billion. It includes a 28-kilometre transmission line, water treatment plant, pumping station and distribution network. The Provincial Development Working Party has already approved the PC-I for these components at an estimated cost of Rs 36 billion. Authorities have also decided that the project cost will be shared equally by the Rawalpindi city and cantonment administrations. Meanwhile, construction of Daducha Dam by the Punjab Irrigation Department has reached 94 percent completion, bringing the project closer to the stage where its associated treatment and transmission infrastructure can be developed. The government expects the complete water supply project to be operational by 2029. The acquisition of land near Kak Pul is considered a key step in completing the infrastructure required to move, treat and distribute water from the dam. Once completed, the transmission and distribution network will connect the dam’s water resources with the city’s supply system. The project is part of broader efforts to expand Rawalpindi’s water infrastructure in response to rising urban demand. Its completion will add a new source of treated water while creating infrastructure for its distribution across both civilian and cantonment areas. With the dam nearing completion and the associated Rs36 billion infrastructure package already approved, the focus has now shifted towards land acquisition and construction of the treatment, pumping, transmission and distribution facilities needed to bring the planned water supply into operation.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has declared Signature City Housing Scheme, formerly known as Century Town, an unapproved project and referred its case concerning online and social media advertising to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Rawalpindi. According to an RDA spokesperson, Signature City Housing Scheme, located in Mouza Gurha Bherta and Begga Sheikha, was being promoted through social media, WhatsApp, YouTube and other digital platforms without obtaining the required approval from the competent authority. The RDA has initiated legal proceedings against the scheme and issued a notice under the applicable law. The authority has also referred the matter of its online advertisements to the NCCIA Rawalpindi for further action. The RDA cited Rule 46(1) of the Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules 2021, under which sponsors of private housing schemes are not permitted to advertise or offer plots or housing units for sale through any medium without prior approval from the competent authority. The authority also stated that the owners or developers of the project had allegedly made incorrect claims regarding obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RDA. The action against Signature City follows previous enforcement activity concerning the project under its former name, Century Town. In February 2023, the RDA had stated that it submitted an application for registration of an FIR against Century Town Housing Scheme. The RDA has advised citizens to verify the legal status of private housing schemes through the authority’s official website before making any investment. Citizens have also been advised not to rely on advertisements or claims made by developers without independent verification. The authority has also communicated with other relevant agencies regarding the advertising of illegal housing schemes, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi, IESCO, SNGPL, PTCL, the District Collector and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).