RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has requested Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to refrain private TV channels from airing advertisements of illegal housing societies.

“There are over 340 housing societies in the district and only 65 of them have approval from the government and the remaining are illegal but doing business without any hurdles,” said RDA spokesman Hafiz Irfan.

He said RDA Director General Tahir Zafar Abbasi had written letters to Pemra, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, SNGPL, the district collector Rawalpindi and the commissioner Islamabad requesting them to block bank accounts/social media accounts of the owners of illegal housing societies across the district.

RDA says only 65 of 340 housing societies in district legal

He said that the civic body was taking steps against the unauthorised housing schemes following increasing complaints from the citizens.

He said illegal/unauthorised housing societies had been mushrooming in the district while their owners/followers were also involved in illegal advertising about the housing societies on TV channels and social media.

He said that it was in the interest of the citizens not to make any investment in the illegal housing schemes.

Moreover, he also warned the owners to immediately stop marketing of their unapproved housing schemes and contact the RDA for getting approval of the schemes otherwise strict legal action will be taken against them.

Meanwhile, the RDA director general directed the Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering directorate to take strict action against unauthorised housing schemes, constructions and commercial activities, booking offices and encroachments.

RDA officials said 386 housing societies in district were illegal. The officials said lists of illegal housing societies had been issued so that the capital of the investors could be protected.

According to the officials, there are 68 illegal housing societies in different parts of Chakri and 275 in Kotli Sattian, Taxila, Jando, Fatehjang Road, Jalala, Niko, Wani, Paswal, Bajjar, Katia, Jhal Yari, New Murree, Patriata, Jhika Gali, Baroha, Manga, Angori, Nimbal, Khatar, Ghora Gali, Masyari Expressway, Chattar, Charlot, Salgaran, Salkhitar, Dahagal, Kak, Chaklala, Kalial, Pind Nasrullah, Chak Bailey, Garja, Adiala, Jodia and other areas.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2022