Lahore Division

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Acting on the directives of Director General LDA Tahir Farooq, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) teams carried out extensive operations across the city against illegal constructions, unauthorized commercial buildings, and non-payment of commercial fees.
During operations conducted on Thursday in various residential and commercial schemes as well as LDA controlled areas, 3 plots were recovered from encroachers, while a total of 213 properties were sealed.
The enforcement drive covered multiple key localities including LDA Avenue One, Jubilee Town, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Ali Town, Defence Road, Shadman, Gulshan e Ravi, Allama Iqbal Town, and Sabzazar.
In LDA Avenue One, plots No. 1298 and 1299 in Block M were retrieved from illegal possession and handed over to the rightful allottees. Similarly, an unauthorized access road constructed on Plot No. 1618-A in Block D was demolished. A illegal parking stand established on the green belt at Jubilee Town Main Chowk was also removed.
Under the Town Planning Wing operations, strict action was taken against properties involved in commercial misuse and non-payment of commercial fees. A total of 29 properties in Gulberg and New Garden Town, 47 in Ali Town, 56 along Defence Road, and 31 in Shadman and Gulshan e Ravi were sealed.
In a separate enforcement and recovery drive, an additional 50 properties in Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar were also sealed. The sealed premises included private schools, colleges, halls, bakeries, pharmacies, clinics, grocery stores, beauty salons, workshops, restaurants, food outlets, offices, and other commercial establishments.
The operations were supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner-II Azhar Ali. LDA officials stated that indiscriminate action against illegal constructions, unauthorized commercial use, and fee defaulters will continue in the future.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has introduced a revised policy to provide significant relief to property owners facing penalties due to access area discrepancies, marking a major step toward addressing public concerns over high property related charges.
Under the newly approved framework, penalties will now be calculated based on the property rates applicable at the time of plot allotment, rather than the prevailing DC rates. This shift is expected to substantially reduce the financial burden on plot owners who were previously subjected to higher penalties due to escalating property values over time.
According to LDA officials, the policy was formulated after extensive deliberations led by the Director General and the Additional Director General (Housing). The decision reflects the authority’s effort to respond to persistent complaints from citizens regarding excessive and, in many cases, unfair financial demands during property transactions.
Previously, in cases involving access area differences, whether excess or short , penalties were calculated using current market aligned DC rates. This often resulted in significantly higher costs, particularly in situations linked to No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and property transfer procedures. Property owners frequently argued that such charges imposed undue financial pressure, especially when discrepancies were not directly attributable to them.
The revised policy ensures that all such charges, regardless of the nature of the discrepancy, will now be determined using the rates from the year in which the plot was originally allotted. This change replaces the earlier system based on present day valuations and is expected to bring greater fairness and transparency to the process.
The policy has received formal approval from the LDA Governing Body, and official minutes have been issued, paving the way for its immediate implementation in all relevant cases. Observers believe the move will not only provide relief to affected citizens but also help restore confidence in the regulatory framework governing urban property transactions.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has made it mandatory for all property transactions to obtain a “Green Property Certificate” from July 2026, aiming to ensure transparency and curb fraud in the real estate sector.
Issued by the Punjab Land Records Authority, the certificate confirms ownership, verifies legal status, and ensures that land records are fully aligned with official databases. Authorities believe the move will help reduce disputes and strengthen confidence in property dealings.
Below is the stage-wise process introduced by the government:
1. Visit Arazi Record Center (ARC)
Applicants must visit their nearest Arazi Record Center and obtain a token to initiate the process.
2. Submit Property Details & Pay Fee
Complete property details are submitted along with a fee of Rs 950, payable through the Bank of Punjab or via the e-Pay system.
3. Identity Verification
Verification is conducted using the applicant’s original CNIC, along with biometric authentication through the National Database and Registration Authority. Mobile number and personal data are also cross checked.
4. Ownership History Check
Authorities review past ownership records and check for any disputes, outstanding taxes, or bank loans linked to the property.
5. Field Survey & Inspection
A surveyor visits the site to measure the land using GPS technology and mark boundaries accurately.
6. Neighbour Verification
Two registered neighboring property owners confirm the applicant’s ownership and possession.
7. Official Verification
A Grade-17 officer or relevant revenue official verifies the case within the system.
8. Public Notice (15 Days)
A notice is published on the PLRA website, allowing the public 15 days to raise objections. If none are received, the process continues.
9. Final Review
An Assistant Director Land Records conducts a comprehensive review and completes two-level verification of all documents.
10. Certificate Issuance
After approval, the property is granted “Green Status,” and the Green Property Certificate is issued as proof of secure ownership.
Officials say this structured process marks a significant step toward digitization and transparency in Punjab’s land record system.