Punjab Province

A proposal to repurpose land reserved for the Naya Pakistan Apartments project in Halloki is under consideration, but it does not signal the closure of the nationwide housing programme. The reported proposal concerns the future of the specific Halloki project and its 896 booked units.

Officials are reportedly considering using the land for residential and commercial development in LDA City’s Pine Sector. No plots would become available for sale unless the Lahore Development Authority finalises a revised layout and announces a sales programme. Any decision would also need to address existing apartment bookings and their relationship with the proposed land use.

A refund of applicants’ payments with interest has also been proposed, but no binding repayment plan has been announced.

The available report does not specify applicant-wise amounts, the interest calculation or a payment schedule. It also does not establish that apartment allottees would qualify for residential or commercial plots in Pine Sector, a separate project with different terms and obligations.

After a year without launching a road rehabilitation project, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has proposed a Rs 68.98 million scheme to repair roads and improve related infrastructure across the garrison city. An RDA official said the authority had focused over the past year on the Rs 47 billion Rawalpindi Ring Road project, while other road development plans remained pending. The Punjab government did not approve two proposed projects: the expansion of Murree Road from Committee Chowk to Chandni Chowk, and the repair of the section between Faizabad and Marrir Chowk.

The RDA had also proposed rehabilitating Ch. Bostan Khan Road, from Chaklala Scheme-III to the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench, but the local administration assigned the work to the Punjab Highway Department, the official said. A proposed underpass linking I.J. Principal Road with Double Road at Shamsabad was also not approved. The RDA subsequently began work on a commercial plaza and flats for its employees.

The new proposal, titled “Framework Agreement for Rehabilitation/Repair of Roads, Footpaths, Storm Water Drains, Manholes and Road Marking at Different Roads of City,” includes repairs to roads, footpaths, storm-water drains and manholes, as well as road markings. Its estimated cost is Rs 68,983,836, including applicable taxes, and the stipulated completion period is 12 months. The official said a survey was under way to identify roads for rehabilitation. Old Airport Road and Rawal Road are expected to be among the priority locations because they require extensive repairs.

The scheme will be sent to the Punjab government for approval. If it is approved, the RDA will prepare the PC-I, the official said. RDA spokesperson Mohammad Irfan confirmed that the authority planned to launch the road development scheme.

On the direction of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, the Town Planning Wing launched an operation against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercial fees in LDA-controlled areas. The authority said three properties were demolished and 24 sealed during operations across the city.

Teams took demolition action against an illegal marquee on Canal Road, plots No. 248 and 150-A in Upper Mall Scheme, plot No. 147-J in LDA Avenue One and plot No. 848-F in Jubilee Town. Three illegal shops were also demolished in the LDA-controlled area along Raiwind Road.

Seven properties on Main Multan Road, 13 in New Muslim Town and four in LDA Avenue One were sealed over unauthorised commercial use. The sealed premises included a private school, restaurants, a marble store, a hardware store, a food outlet, auto workshops, shops and offices. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad-uz-Zaman and Chief Town Planner-II Azhar Ali.

The LDA director general said action would continue without discrimination against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercial fees.