RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Saturday conducted a targeted operation against unauthorised commercial properties on Raja Sultan Road and sealed 20 properties.

During this operation, 20 properties including shops, plazas, clinic, autos, grocery store, sheds and medical stores were sealed for illegal land use and violations of approved building plans and regulations.

According to an RDA spokesperson, the property owners were found in violation of the approved building plans.

Despite multiple notices issued by the RDA, the owners continued to disregard regulations, violating the Punjab Development of Cities Act 1976 and the RDA Building and Zoning Regulations 2020.

The properties had been converted into illegal commercial establishments without obtaining the required approvals or No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

He added that the notices had been sent to the owners of these properties regarding the illegal construction, but they neither responded nor stopped using domestic property for commercial purposes.

In response to the ongoing violations, the DG RDA Kinza Murtaza has directed the Land Use and Building Control (LU&BC) Wing to implement stricter measures against encroachments, unauthorized constructions, and illegal commercial activities.

The Building Control Wing was also instructed to review and impose fees and charges for the approval of illegal residential and commercial buildings, with a focus on regularising all such structures within RDA’s jurisdiction.

He said that the RDA is committed to upholding the city’s planning and zoning laws to ensure orderly urban development.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2025