RAWALPINDI: The mushroom growth of housing schemes have become serious threat to green areas ofthe district leaving the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) with no option but to initiate massive operation against them.

A senior official of the authority told Dawn that the RDA had launched a strict campaign against illegal and fraudulent housing schemes in the district. He said that notices have been issued to 149 illegal housing schemes this week.

He said that the RDA was intensifying its campaign against illegal housing schemes that had misled the general public and defrauded citizens by offering the properties which did not exist.

He said that these schemes, which have been operating under false pretenses, have caused substantial financial loss by promising ownership of homes that only existed on paper, maps and advertisements.

Authority issued notices to more than 145 societies this week

He said that apart from the action against the illegal housing societies, the RDA is conducting survey of the approved housing schemes whether or not they implemented the requirements of public facilities like, filtration plants, sewerage plants, roads, parks, graveyards, mosques, schools on the premises.

He said the RDA had a list of 70 approved housing schemes and stopped approval of new housing schemes. He said that the RDA also recommended to the district administration to impose a ban to convert agriculture land into housing schemes.

He advised the public to always verify the legality of any housing scheme before making investments.

“We advise everyone to consult with RDA to ensure that the scheme they are interested in is legally approved, and their investment is secure,” he said.

He said that divisional administration had already formed a Joint Task Force of the district administration, RDA and local police to take action against the illegal housing schemes.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Development Authority’s (RDA ) enforcement squad on Saturday demolished entry barriers, security office, removed advertisement boards, panaflexes, hoardings and sealed site offices of the Life Residencia, an illegal housing scheme located in mouza Mohri Khatran, Rawalpindi.

A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) stated that the operation was supervised by Commissioner Amir Khattak, along with RDADirector General (DG) Kinza Murtaza and Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and Chief Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said that under the commissioner’s guidance, the crackdown on illegal housing societies will continue vigorously to prevent fraud and protect citizens from exploitation.

She said that public complaints regarding illegal land occupation by housing scheme owners are being taken seriously, and strict measures will be taken against those engaged in land grabbing.

“The RDA regularly issues warnings to the public and advises citizens to avoid investing in illegal housing schemes. Instead, the public is encouraged to visit the RDA website (www.rda.gop.pk) and only engage with approved housing schemes,” she said.

Despite various warnings to cease illegal advertisements, bookings and development, she said that the owners of the aforementioned housing schemes continued to operate booking offices in violation of regulations.

The operation team included officials from the RDA and representatives from Police Station Naseerabad. Key team members included In-charge Enforcement Squad of RDA, along with RDA Scheme/Building Inspectors and other team members.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2024