RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration on Friday warned private housing societies to enhance security arrangements and ensure no criminals and terrorists stayed in their limits otherwise legal action would be taken against violators.

Commissioner Amir Khattak said the government had raised concerns over security arrangements, particularly the need for a thorough vetting process to ensure that no criminal or terrorist were part of the security teams in these societies.

He stressed the importance of implementing a robust verification system and warned that failure to comply would result in strict legal actions.

He was speaking in a meeting with representatives of 79 approved housing societies at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) office to address key issues concerning security, environmental impacts and the approval processes for private housing societies.

The meeting was chaired by the commissioner and RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza. The primary focus of the meeting was on enhancing security measures within private housing societies.

In response to the concerns raised, representatives from the housing schemes assured their cooperation, acknowledging the challenges they face while striving to improve security measures.

The commissioner directed the RDA chief to oversee the implementation of these directives. He claimed that a consultant was actively working on the master plan and all pending concerns will be resolved.

The RDA chief highlighted the issue of land grabbing, adding that any such case should be immediately reported to the civic agency and local law enforcement authorities, particularly when private security personnel were involved in illegal activities. She underscored RDA’s commitment to maintaining legal and orderly practices within the real estate sector.

Representatives from 79 approved housing schemes, including Federation of Employees Cooperative Housing Society, National Police Foundation, CBR Residencia, Airport Residencia, New Airport Town, OPF Housing Scheme, KRL Cooperative Housing Society, Bahria Town, Wapda Town, Engineer Cooperative Housing Society, Ministry of Commerce Employees Cooperative Housing Society, Veteran Employees Cooperative Housing Society and Army Welfare Trust Housing Society, attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2025