Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority has sealed several premises at Mid City Apartments on Service Road in Mouza Gangal during an operation against alleged unauthorized commercial activities. The enforcement operation was carried out with the assistance of Punjab Police personnel from Dhoke Lalyal Police Chowki and Airport Police Station. During the action, RDA officials sealed a number of offices, restaurants and penthouses that the authority said were being used or developed in violation of approved building and commercial regulations. According to an RDA official, the action was taken under the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, the RDA Building and Zoning Regulations and other applicable planning laws. The authority said unauthorized commercial activity, illegal construction and violations of approved development plans would not be permitted within areas under its control. RDA field teams have also been directed to maintain regular monitoring of residential and commercial developments and take action against violations without discrimination. Officials said the campaign forms part of the authority’s broader efforts to ensure planned urban development and compliance with approved land use and building regulations across Rawalpindi. The RDA has advised citizens and prospective property buyers to verify the legal and approval status of housing schemes and construction projects before making an investment. Residents have also been encouraged to report illegal construction and unauthorized development to the authority so that action can be taken in accordance with the law.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has faced another delay despite the completion of its 38.6 kilometre route, as the installation of toll booths, handover procedures and final approvals are still pending. With the physical construction of the route completed, the project now requires the completion of key administrative and operational procedures before it can be formally opened to traffic. Toll booth installation and the handover process between the relevant authorities are among the remaining tasks, followed by the required final approvals. Meanwhile, the project cost has increased by around Rs3.5 billion due to inflation and rising construction expenses, adding to the financial pressure surrounding the scheme. The Rawalpindi Ring Road is considered an important urban infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion and providing an alternative route around the city. The project is expected to improve connectivity between different parts of the Rawalpindi region and reduce pressure on existing urban roads. Once fully operational, the Ring Road is expected to facilitate smoother traffic movement and support the city’s expanding urban areas. However, the latest delay means commuters will have to wait longer before the completed route becomes fully operational.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has moved to establish a dedicated Enforcement Directorate aimed at consolidating and strengthening action against illegal housing schemes, unauthorized construction, encroachments and violations of approved planning and development regulations across the authority’s jurisdiction. The proposed directorate is intended to bring enforcement related functions under a coordinated mechanism, enabling the RDA to take more effective and results-oriented action against violations that have continued to pose challenges to regulated urban development in Rawalpindi. A meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and RDA Director General Salman Ghani reviewed the proposed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the new directorate and discussed the mechanism through which different operational departments of the authority would work together. According to the proposed operational framework presented by RDA Director Administration Nosheen Israr, officials and officers from the authority’s Town Planning, Building Control, Estate Management and Land Development departments will play an integral role in enforcement operations. The proposed directorate will specifically focus on illegal and unapproved housing schemes, encroachments, unauthorized construction, buildings violating approved rules and other breaches of planning and development regulations. The move is aimed at overcoming coordination gaps between different RDA departments and creating a more centralized enforcement structure. Under the proposed arrangement, relevant departments would be able to coordinate inspections, identify violations and take enforcement action through a unified mechanism. The RDA is also considering seeking operational assistance from the Punjab Police, Rawalpindi, as well as the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) Force, particularly during enforcement operations where additional security or field support may be required. Commissioner Salman Ghani directed officials to finalize the Terms of Reference for the proposed Enforcement Directorate at the earliest so that the new mechanism could be made operational on a professional and effective basis. The initiative comes amid increased efforts by the authorities to strengthen enforcement of building bylaws and planning regulations across Rawalpindi district. The proposed directorate could significantly expand the RDA’s capacity to monitor development activity and respond to violations through a more structured enforcement system. The move is also significant for the city's property sector, where unauthorized housing schemes, illegal construction and encroachments can create serious risks for property buyers and investors. Unapproved developments may expose purchasers to legal disputes, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties in obtaining formal approvals and property-related services. If implemented effectively, the dedicated enforcement structure could provide a more coordinated regulatory framework for Rawalpindi's rapidly expanding urban areas and strengthen action against developments that bypass approved planning requirements. The proposed Enforcement Directorate is therefore being viewed as an important step toward improving regulatory oversight, protecting planned urban development and ensuring greater compliance with building and land use regulations across the RDA's jurisdiction.