Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan Recurring urban flooding has begun taking a toll on Rawalpindi’s residential property market, with residents of flood prone neighbourhoods putting their homes up for sale as fears over worsening waterlogging and repeated inundation grow. Residents in affected areas have reportedly started displaying “For Sale” signs outside their houses, while investors are approaching homeowners with offers that are below both prevailing market prices and the official property valuation rates notified by the deputy commissioner. Residents of Javed Colony and Mohalla Fazalabad, including Ibadat Hussain and Nasir Ali, said they had been living in the area for around two decades but were now considering leaving because of the increasingly severe flooding. According to the residents, floodwater has historically risen by around one to one and a half feet every year, but the situation has deteriorated significantly this year. They said single storey houses were completely submerged during the latest flooding, raising serious concerns about the safety and long-term viability of residential properties in the affected neighbourhoods. They said the repeated flooding had transformed their localities into permanently vulnerable areas, leaving homeowners with little choice but to consider selling their properties despite receiving offers significantly below their actual value. The situation has created an unusual pressure on the local property market. Homeowners seeking to sell quickly are reportedly facing investors who are using the flood risk to negotiate substantially lower prices. Residents fear that continued flooding could further depress property values and make it increasingly difficult for affected families to recover their investments. Residents also identified the condition of Rawalpindi’s storm water drainage system as a major factor behind the destruction caused by heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in the inner city areas. According to local residents, Rawalpindi has around 15 storm-water drains, but approximately 80% of them have reportedly been encroached upon by permanent structures. They argue that such encroachments have restricted the natural flow and drainage capacity of rainwater, contributing to severe flooding whenever the city receives heavy rainfall. The recurring flooding is therefore emerging not only as an urban management and public safety issue but also as a growing real estate risk. Properties located in areas repeatedly exposed to flooding can face declining demand, reduced rental potential and difficulty in attracting buyers, while homeowners may be forced to accept discounted prices. The situation also highlights the financial consequences of inadequate urban drainage and uncontrolled construction. For many homeowners, their property represents their largest financial asset, and a sustained decline in values caused by environmental vulnerability could result in substantial losses. Residents have called for immediate measures to clear encroachments from storm-water drains, restore their capacity and improve the city's drainage infrastructure. They believe that without a long-term solution, repeated flooding could continue to push residents out of vulnerable neighbourhoods and place further pressure on property prices. The emerging sell off in flood affected areas serves as a warning for urban planners, development authorities and property investors that climate resilience and drainage infrastructure are becoming increasingly important factors in determining the long term value and viability of residential real estate in Pakistan’s major cities.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi Development Authority has operationalised its Housing Societies Management System for the online submission, scrutiny and processing of applications related to private housing schemes within its jurisdiction. The system has been introduced on the directions of the Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and RDA Director General Salman Ghani, with the Punjab Land Records Authority clearing the platform for implementation. Sponsors of private housing schemes under the RDA's jurisdiction will now be required to use the digital system for fresh applications, scheme revisions and other admissible matters. The previous process of physical submissions has been replaced by the online workflow. The RDA has advised applicants to upload complete and accurate information along with all required supporting documents to avoid delays in processing. According to the authority, the new system is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency, expediting scrutiny and processing, reducing paperwork and ensuring timely disposal of housing scheme cases. However, the RDA has clarified that submitting an application through the digital system does not constitute approval of a housing scheme. Buyers are advised to independently verify the latest approval status, No Objection Certificate and legal standing of any housing scheme before purchasing property. Similarly, revised layouts and other applications submitted through the system will not be considered approved until formal sanction is granted by the competent authority. The digital initiative is expected to improve administrative transparency and efficiency for private housing schemes in Rawalpindi, while buyers will continue to need independent due diligence on the current regulatory status of any project.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan Construction of three new underpasses on Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi is scheduled to begin during the first week of September 2026, marking a major step toward completion of the final phase of the city’s signal-free corridor project. The three underpasses will be constructed at Qasim Market Chowk, Charing Cross Chowk and Qabristan Chowk, with the combined estimated cost of the projects standing at approximately Rs 8.835 billion. The development is part of the final section of the Kachehri Chowk to Chungi No. 26 and Motorway Chowk signal-free corridor, which is being developed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on one of Rawalpindi’s key transportation routes. According to the project plan, authorities have almost completed the relocation of utility services at all three construction sites. Alternative traffic routes have also been finalized to ensure that vehicular movement continues while construction work is underway. The relocation of electricity, gas, telecommunications and other utility infrastructure is considered an important preparatory step before major civil works begin. Authorities are expected to implement traffic diversions in phases to minimize disruption for commuters and residents using Peshawar Road. The three underpasses will eliminate major traffic signal points along the corridor and are expected to improve the movement of vehicles between central Rawalpindi and major road networks leading toward Islamabad and surrounding areas. An underpass at Golra Mor has already been completed under the same signal-free corridor project. Once the remaining three underpasses are constructed and the overall corridor becomes operational, motorists are expected to benefit from significantly smoother and faster journeys. The completed corridor will provide improved connectivity to Islamabad International Airport, the Islamabad Lahore Motorway, Peshawar Motorway and Hazara Motorway, strengthening the road link between Rawalpindi, Islamabad and major regional routes. Under the project plan, travel time between Kachehri Chowk and Motorway Chowk is expected to fall to around 20 minutes once the entire signal free corridor is fully operational. The project is also expected to support long term urban mobility in Rawalpindi by reducing delays at busy intersections, improving traffic circulation and providing more efficient access to major residential, commercial and transportation zones. With utility relocation and traffic management arrangements nearing completion, the start of construction in September is expected to move the long-planned final phase of the signal free corridor into its main execution stage.