RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has raised serious concerns over the illegal activities of several private housing schemes operating in the district, calling them a major hurdle to planned and sustainable development.
According to a newspaper report, the RDA has urged the district administration to take immediate action against the advertisement, online marketing, and sale of plots by these unapproved schemes.
In a letter to the Director General of the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (Phata), RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza stated that Phata had granted permissions for development and marketing to several housing schemes without proper approval and without following the Rawalpindi Master Plan.
She said such actions violate legal rules and are damaging water reserves, land structure, and the environment.
The RDA called on the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) to issue legal notices, challans, and FIRs against those involved. The authority also sought help from the cybercrime wing to block online sales and plot transfers by these illegal schemes.
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According to the report, housing projects like Blue World City and Faisal Town Phase-2 have been named among those operating without RDA approval. The RDA warned that developers’ attempts to shift their applications to Phata are creating legal confusion.
Ms Murtaza made it clear that all development must follow the Site Development Zone Plan and the RDA’s Master Plan. She added that Phata has no authority to approve projects in Rawalpindi Tehsil without fulfilling legal requirements.
Public complaints have also revealed that many private schemes continue to advertise and sell plots without permission, causing harm to urban planning and financial loss to citizens.
In addition to legal action, RDA has issued separate orders for water conservation in private housing clusters. Developers have been directed to install rainwater harvesting systems, recycle wastewater, and use water-saving equipment in all housing schemes.
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Ms Murtaza also stressed the enforcement of rules to protect riverbanks from illegal construction and maintain the natural flow of water.
She instructed an immediate stop to water pollution caused by unapproved developers and directed them to set up proper sewage treatment plants.
She warned that strict legal action would be taken against any scheme found violating environmental and development rules.
“This is not just about rules,” she said. “It’s about saving our future. Water is a precious resource and we must act now to protect it for the next generations.”
