RAWALPINDI: The master plan for Rawalpindi is supposed to be completed this month as per a deadline fixed by the district administration and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), but the authorities have only managed to finalise the land classification map - the first step in the process.

The administration decided to consult all stakeholders to seek their input within the next 15 days after the District Planning and Design Committee approved the land classification map of the Rawalpindi district.

The consultant – Mott Macdonald Pakistan (MMP) Company – is working on the project named ‘Regional Development Plan for District Rawalpindi and Peri-Urban Structure Plans for Tehsils of Rawalpindi District (excluding Rawalpindi tehsil)’.

The project was awarded on December 16, 2020, and an agreement was signed on December 24, 2020, for approximately Rs50 million, with the duration of the project set at 12 months. In September this year, the period for completion of the project by MMP was extended for three months.

Stakeholders’ input sought after ‘finalisation of land classification map’

Meanwhile, administrators of the local government in Rawalpindi forwarded their consent for the preparation of the master plan in their local government areas.

A senior official of the district administration told Dawn that the consultant had finalised the ‘land use classification plans’ for all six tehsils i.e. Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Taxila, Murree, Kotli Sattian, and Kahuta.

Afterwards, Murree was declared a new district of two tehsils – namely Murree and Kotli Sattian, due to which the work on land use classification plans in Murree and Kotli Sattian was stopped. “…only master plans of Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Taxila, and Kahuta were forwarded to administrators concerned for approval and also notified by the concerned local government. He said that it has been decided to take the stakeholders on board regarding the Rawalpindi master plan.

He said that the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner’s office, wrote a letter to the district planning and design committee secretary to arrange a meeting of stakeholders.

Upon this, he said that a letter was sent to the government, NGOs, business organisations, individuals, and others to be consulted immediately. He said that the District Planning and Design Committee has approved the land classification map of Rawalpindi district.

The land classification map is made on the basis of settlement (build-up area). After the notification, the consultant company will prepare a development plan according to the new classification (zoning) of the land in Rawalpindi district keeping in mind the needs of the population for the next 20 years.

He said that after the completion of the master plan, the RDA will start the work on establishing an economic zone around Rawalpindi Ring Road. The official said that the provincial government wanted to establish the economic zone but the master plan will define where industrial units will be established and the administration will not allow any business activity other than allocated areas.

Rawalpindi’s first master plan was outlined in 1968 when the city was made an interim federal capital. However, once the government offices were shifted to Islamabad, the plan was not enforced. Nearly 30 years later, another master plan was prepared by a board of officials for the period 1996 to 2016.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2023