Punjab Province

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.

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.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yingming Yang, with detailed discussions held on ongoing development projects, construction activities and future cooperation across various sectors in the province.
The meeting focused on accelerating projects aimed at improving basic public services and strengthening infrastructure, with both sides agreeing to continue cooperation in the provision of clean drinking water, healthcare and education.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed the need for ADB assistance in the development and expansion of major healthcare projects in Punjab, including cardiac, children’s and cancer hospitals. She emphasized that continued international development support would help accelerate the delivery of essential public infrastructure and healthcare facilities.
The meeting also discussed the promotion of nursing education, expansion of training opportunities in the healthcare sector and the establishment of STEM laboratories in government schools. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening Punjab’s education and healthcare infrastructure while improving access to modern learning and professional training.
The two sides also reviewed matters related to three concessional loan agreements aimed at providing modern agricultural machinery to farmers. The proposed support is intended to promote the use of modern technology and machinery in agriculture and improve farmers’ productivity.
The chief minister thanked the Asian Development Bank for its cooperation in organizing the Punjab Agri-Food Investment Forum and said development projects across the province were progressing rapidly. She said the provincial government was implementing large-scale initiatives to improve basic public facilities and accelerate infrastructure development.
Maryam Nawaz described the Punjab Economic Transformation Plan as a game changer for the province’s economic growth. She said the government was simultaneously pursuing reforms and development initiatives in employment, investment, transportation, education, healthcare and agriculture.
The chief minister further said that an additional 2,000 electric buses would be deployed on Punjab’s roads by next year, expanding the province’s modern and environmentally friendly public transport network.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further expand cooperation between Punjab and the Asian Development Bank and ensure the timely completion of ongoing development projects.