RAWALPINDI: If you are planning to buy a plot or invest in a housing society in Rawalpindi, you need to be extremely careful. The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has officially declared 293 private housing schemes as illegal.
Under the strict directions of Commissioner Rawalpindi and RDA Director General Engineer Aamer Khattak, the authority has issued a public advisory warning citizens and overseas Pakistanis against investing their hard-earned money in these unauthorized projects.
Which Areas Are Affected?
These 293 illegal housing schemes are spread across multiple regions. The affected areas fall under the jurisdiction of:
Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi
Tehsil and District Councils of Taxila
Gujar Khan
Kallar Syedan
Kahuta
Why Were They Declared Illegal?
The Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MP&TE) Directorate identified these illegal societies through site inspections, ground surveys, and public complaints. The major violations include:
Launching schemes without a proper NOC (No Objection Certificate).
Unauthorized on-ground development.
Illegal marketing and selling of plots on print and social media.
Major deviations from their original approved plans.
RDA’s Strict Action Against Developers
The RDA is not just issuing warnings; they are taking serious legal action to stop these scams.
FIRs and Sealing: Police cases (FIRs) are being registered, and the project sites and site offices are being sealed.
Demolitions: Any illegal structures built by these developers are being demolished.
FIA Cyber Crime: Developers doing illegal marketing online are being referred to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing for prosecution.
Ban on Land Transfers: The RDA has banned all land transactions for these unapproved schemes.
How to Protect Your Investment
The RDA has issued a strong warning to the public: Do not fall for marketing traps. Many fake developers sell plots by telling buyers that their NOC is “Under Process” or their “File is Submitted.”
Important Note: The RDA clearly states that terms like “file submitted” or “under process” do NOT mean the society is approved.
To protect yourself, you must verify the approval status of any housing scheme directly through the official RDA website: www.rda.gop.pk.
Protect Your Hard-Earned Money
The real estate market can be highly profitable, but it is also full of risks. The RDA has made it completely clear that it will not be responsible for any financial losses if a citizen invests in an unauthorized or illegal housing scheme. Always do your research, check the official RDA portal, and demand to see an approved NOC before handing over a single rupee.
FAQs
Q: How many housing schemes are illegal in Rawalpindi? A: The RDA has recently identified and declared 293 private housing schemes as illegal in Rawalpindi and surrounding tehsils.
Q: How can I check if a housing society is approved by RDA? A: You can easily verify the legal status and NOC of any housing scheme by visiting the official RDA website at www.rda.gop.pk.
Q: Is a society legal if its NOC is “Under Process”? A: No. The RDA has strictly clarified that phrases like “under process” or “file submitted” do not equal formal approval. You should not invest until the official NOC is granted.
