LAHORE: The Punjab Ombudsman has directed the Director General (DG) of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to hold an inquiry into complaints of Al-Hafeez Gardens residents, take necessary action, and submit a report within 90 days.
According to a newspaper report, the order was issued after the LDA failed to act on repeated requests and reminders from residents.
Residents’ Allegations:
According to complaints signed by more than 100 residents, the housing society owners, with the support of some LDA officials, committed several violations of the Private Housing Schemes Rules 2014.
The residents alleged that:
-
The owners sold plots meant for public amenities such as a mosque, waste management, and roads.
-
Extra charges were collected for gas supply, which is against the law.
-
Roads were narrowed to carve out more plots.
-
Infrastructure development was delayed for over 10 years.
-
The owners evaded taxes by keeping charges of plot sales.
Residents also claimed that four blocks, each slightly less than 100 kanals, were approved against the rules. Under the law, if a block is 100 kanals or more, the developer must allocate land for a graveyard.
By keeping the blocks under this limit, the owners allegedly avoided providing graveyard space.
One resident pointed out that in Ibrahim Block, 173 plots were approved but 250 plots were being sold. In Ismail Block, 208 plots were approved while 460 were being sold. “These extra plots are being created by cutting road widths, selling amenity plots, and denying land for a graveyard,” he said.
— ALSO READ —
Lahore’s historic bazaars set for modern facilities, beautification
Ombudsman’s Order:
The Ombudsman’s office noted that residents had approached the LDA four times during the last four months of 2024, but no action was taken. This, the order said, was a violation of the Punjab Ombudsman Act 1997.
Under the amended Article 54(2) of the Private Housing Schemes Rules 2014, the DG LDA is required to nominate a seven-member committee to take over the scheme for three years if such violations are found.
The order directed the DG to appoint a senior officer to conduct the inquiry, hear residents’ complaints, review records, take necessary action, and submit a report within 90 days.
LDA Response:
LDA’s Chief Metropolitan Planner, Faisal Qureshi, confirmed that the concerned director had been asked to conduct the inquiry as per the ombudsman’s instructions.
“The officer will follow the directions and present the report, which will then be submitted to the ombudsman,” he said. LDA officials added that the ombudsman’s order would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Garbage tax fixed for residential, commercial properties in Punjab
