GUJAR KHAN: An inquiry has been ordered against officials of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) by Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal for approving the layout plan of a housing society in Gujar Khan in violation of rules.

According to the commissioner: “New Metro City Gujar Khan falls in the green area where housing is not allowed. An inquiry is under process against the involved officials.”

The layout plan was approved by the Director (MP&TE) of the RDA on Aug 16 and the notification available with Dawn stated: “The submitted layout plan has been scrutinised and found in order for clearance to the extent of completion of requirements under Rule 24(1)(b) of Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules-2021.”

The land was acquired by BSM Developers in three revenue estates in Gujar Khan along the Grand Trunk Road - Mauza Bhai Khan, Mauza Matial and Mauza Pindora.

According to a report submitted by the assistant commissioner of Gujar Khan to the additional deputy commissioner (revenue) Rawalpindi, BSM possessed 613 kanals and 11 marlas of land in Mauza Bhai Khan out of which 307 kanals and 16 marlas were agricultural. The total land possessed in Mauza Matial is 708 kanals out of which 226 kanals and 14 marlas were agricultural while the total land possessed in Pindora was 877 kanals out of which 471 kanals and 10 marlas of land was agricultural.

Similarly, the report revealed that rain nullahs (visible through the satellite map) had been reported in all the three revenue estates while a railway track also passed through the proposed scheme site. The report added that ownership of the provincial government was found in Khewat No 15 of Mauza Matial and Khewat No 309 of Mauza Bhai Khan.

A massive advertisement campaign for the housing society was being run on electronic and print media.

According to sources, balloting for plots had been done by the housing society a few days ago in a mega event in which thousands of people participated.

Earlier, the panaflex advertisement banners of the housing society were removed by Assistant Commissioner Gujar Khan Ghulam Abbas Haral after the scheme was termed illegal by the RDA.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2022