RAWALPINDI: A joint task force comprising officials of the district administration, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and local police on Friday took action against eight “illegal housing schemes” in different parts of Rawalpindi district.

During the operation, the task force demolished the illegal infrastructure, alleging that the developers of these societies had started work without permission of the concerned authorities.

According to an official press release, action has been taken against Sarwar Shaheed Garden at Rawat, GT Road; Heaven Valley at Mouza Sangh and Mandra; Kashmir Valley at Mouza Jolly Chak Dolat; Shakir Farm at Mouza Moghot; Shaheen Garden at Mouza Jajja; Al-Imran Garden at GT Road; Holy Residencia at Mouza Kalyam Sharif and Joshua Town at Mohalla Raja Sultan, Rawat.

A spokesman for the RDA said the task force team demolished site offices, boundary walls, the main gates, guard rooms, road infrastructure, electricity poles and the entrance barriers.

RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa said the grand operation against all illegal societies would continue across the board to stop fraud in illegal housing schemes and looting of the citizens.

He said the task force had received complaints from local and overseas Pakistanis about the occupation of the owners of illegal housing schemes, adding that strict action will be taken against those who take possession of land by force of arms.

Mr Jappa further said the owners of the housing schemes who had completed the legal documents had been given possession of the land.

The RDA has been issuing press releases from time to time for the information of the general public, he said.

Mr Jappa urged the people not to invest in illegal housing schemes and asked them to visit the RDA website for information. He said before taking action against the illegal housing societies, the RDA had issued notices to the owners and sponsors of the above-mentioned housing schemes to stop illegal advertisements, bookings and development. However, he said the owners of these properties continued running booking offices in violation of the rules.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2023