City and District Real Estate News

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has introduced new procedures for verifying plot files and processing property-related applications, directing officials to avoid checks that lack clear justification and cause delays for applicants.

An official notification issued by the Office of the Member (Estate) on November 5 said the Land and Rehabilitation Directorate had initiated plot file verification in some cases without sufficient grounds. The CDA said this practice could delay case processing and cause inconvenience to applicants. Under the new directions, verification of a plot file’s genuineness may only be initiated after prior approval from the Director General (Land and Estate Management).

The notification also directs the director general to set and publicise clear timelines for completing plot file verifications, processing applications for No Demand Certificates (NDCs) and handling other property-related matters at the relevant desks. The CDA said files should preferably not remain pending at any single desk for more than three days. The measures are intended to improve administrative efficiency, ensure cases are decided on time and reduce avoidable delays in the Estate Wing.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad on Thursday, opening a Rs 1.45 billion project designed to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

The 500-metre underpass was completed in 27 days through round-the-clock construction, the prime minister said at the inauguration ceremony. He congratulated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), project officials and contractors on the rapid completion.
The wider development includes a four-kilometre road network, two monuments and thousands of newly planted trees.

Shehbaz Sharif said the project would improve traffic flow around Kashmir Chowk, particularly as Islamabad prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference next year.
The prime minister also said the project was completed transparently and in accordance with government procurement rules. Its final cost was 2.5 per cent below the estimated amount, he added.

The Quetta Development Authority (QDA) has scheduled a public auction of 394 commercial plots from November 16 to 18, with properties available in Link Sariab Road, Zarghoon Housing Scheme and several locations in Hazar Ganji.

According to the auction notice, proceedings will run from 10am to 4pm at the QDA venue on Sariab Road. The plots are divided across seven categories, with reserve prices ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 20,000 per square foot.

On November 16, QDA will offer 15 plots on Link Sariab Road at a reserve price of Rs 20,000 per square foot, 26 plots in Zarghoon Housing Scheme at Rs 6,000 per square foot, and 50 commercial plots in Hazar Ganji at Rs 8,000 per square foot.
The November 17 auction will include 40 plots at the Hazar Ganji bus stand, priced at Rs 5,000 per square foot, and 212 plots in the Hazar Ganji garage complex, with a reserve price of Rs 2,000 per square foot.

On the final day, 27 plots at the Hazar Ganji builders centre will be offered at Rs 1,500 per square foot, while 24 plots in the Hazar Ganji oil-tanker area will have a reserve price of Rs 1,000 per square foot.
Interested bidders must pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 and submit a call deposit equal to 20% of the plot’s total reserve value.

Successful bidders will be required to pay 25% of the accepted bid as a down payment, with the remaining amount payable in instalments over two years. The notice also specifies a 5% EWF charge, applicable government taxes and execution of an agreement on stamp paper within 15 days of receiving the allotment order.

QDA has reserved the right to reject any or all bids without assigning a reason. Prospective participants can seek further details from the authority’s Director Estate Commercial.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is stepping up enforcement against illegal housing schemes, issuing final notices to non-compliant projects and preparing to seek the disconnection of their electricity and gas supplies.

The RDA’s Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering Directorate has developed the enforcement strategy in coordination with its Enforcement Squad, according to official sources. The plan targets unauthorized residential developments operating without approved layouts and required clearance certificates. Under the proposed action, the authority will write to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), recommending that utility connections to illegal schemes be disconnected.

The RDA has also instructed developers, builders and housing scheme managements to register on its Housing Scheme Management System (HSMS) portal within the stipulated timeframe. Those who fail to comply could face legal proceedings, the sealing of site offices and the demolition of unauthorized structures.

The authority plans to issue public notices warning citizens against investing in unapproved housing projects. It has urged prospective buyers to verify a scheme’s legal status through the RDA’s official website before purchasing residential or commercial property.

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has begun developing a new green belt along Shanghai Road. The strip will stretch 3.3 kilometres from the Ferozepur Road link to the Kamahan Motorway and will be 12 feet wide.

PHA Managing Director Ahmed Usman Javed said the project would include 2,000 native trees, including Sukh Chain, Arjun, Terminalia, Tabebuia and Kachnar. Grass and local flowers will also be planted along the green belt.

Javed said the project was expected to help improve the local environment. He added that the PHA was continuing to develop and maintain green belts under its “Green Lahore” vision.
The authority has urged residents to help protect the city’s green belts and plants so the new plantation can be preserved and the area can remain green.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated 127 development schemes in Attock, including 59 road projects with a combined cost of Rs 23 billion, according to the provincial government. The programme includes work on the Fatehjang–Pindigheb Road, Dhoke Laham–Jhamat Road and Mithial Chowk–Dhoke Pathan Road. The government said its development programme has delivered around 850 kilometres of roads across the district.

Alongside road works, the provincial government is funding drainage improvements in Attock city to help reduce the accumulation of rainwater. Attock’s road network serves rural communities and towns including Rawalpindi, Pindi Gheb and Fateh Jang. The planned rehabilitation and expansion could improve connections between these areas, though motorists may face temporary disruption where construction is under way.

The Attock projects follow the recent approval of Rs 32.8 billion in road schemes elsewhere in Punjab, as the province continues to expand its transport infrastructure.

The Punjab government has launched a citywide cleanliness and anti-smog campaign, “Chamkta Lahore,” to reduce airborne dust, improve sanitation and keep roads and public spaces clean.
Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique inaugurated the campaign at Liberty Chowk. It was launched on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Under the initiative, authorities have identified 100 major roads, locations and commercial markets for targeted cleaning. The plan calls for washing around 648 kilometres of roads each week, with a daily target of 100 kilometres. The cleaning operation will use 16 mechanical washing machines for roads and 46 rickshaw-mounted washers for footpaths. Ten rickshaw-mounted anti-smog mist guns will also spray water into the air to help suppress dust particles.

Speaking to the media, Zeeshan Rafique said anti-smog measures introduced over the past two years had produced encouraging results. He claimed that smog levels in November were noticeably lower than they had been two years earlier, and said the new campaign would further improve Lahore’s air quality and cleanliness.

The minister also highlighted development projects under way across Punjab, including work on roads, healthcare, education and urban beautification. He said initiatives were being carried out in major cities and union councils to improve public facilities and residents’ quality of life.

The Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad will open to traffic (tomorrow) on Thursday, November 5, after being completed in 27 days, according to media reports.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site late Wednesday night to inspect the completed project and review finishing work ahead of the opening. During the visit, he met construction workers and praised their round-the-clock efforts, describing them as the project’s “real heroes.”

The project also includes landscaping around the underpass. Authorities have planted 6,000 trees and plants in the surrounding area.
The underpass is expected to improve traffic flow at the busy Kashmir Chowk intersection and provide motorists with a smoother route. Its opening adds to Islamabad’s road infrastructure, with construction completed in less than a month.

Soul City and Bravo Estate have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marking a new stage of collaboration between the two organisations in the real estate sector.

The signing ceremony reflected their shared commitment to excellence, innovation and building meaningful business connections. The partnership is intended to support mutual progress and create opportunities for both sides to advance their shared vision.

Bravo Estate CEO Imran Faiz said he was pleased to sign the MoU and hoped the partnership would create business opportunities for dealers and investors.

Soul City and Bravo Estate said they looked forward to working together on future initiatives, reaching new milestones and creating lasting value through their collaboration.