GUJRAT: The district administration has declared 19 housing societies and their phases as illegal and unapproved and issued a warning to citizens to refrain from purchasing plots there.

Moreover, the management of at least two out of three housing societies that were sealed by the district administration on Saturday last, have filed appeals with the Punjab Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) department secretary seeking de-sealing of their offices.

Three major housing societies in Sara-i-Alamgir town of Gujrat district, including Metro city, Grand City and Citi Housing were sealed by the district administration for committing gross irregularities and violation of government rules as well as causing loss to the national exchequer.

On Monday, a list of 19 illegal housing societies in three tehsils of Gujrat district has been issued by the District Council as Gujrat deputy Commissioner Nurulain Qureshi holds the additional charge of administrator.

The fresh list includes the names of all three societies that were previously sealed as well as Burraq City Kharian/Sara-i-Alamgir, Green Valley, Zaitoon City, Cannal Housing, Al-Saeed Garden, Dream City, Usman Garden, Gulshan-i-Razzaq, Chenab City, Paradise Garden, New City, Eiffel city, Extension Rivas phases 3 and 4, Ghaffan City and Green View city.

Meanwhile, the operation against advertisement hoardings of three sealed housing societies continued across the district on Sunday and Monday.

Official sources said despite immense pressure on the local administration for the de-sealing of offices, the management of these societies was told to approach the secretary local government as power to de-seal the premises lies with the secretary.

The management of Citi Housing and Grand City schemes have filed formal appeals with the concerned authority whereas the Metro City was yet to file the appeal.

It is learnt that the local government office has also issued notices of hearing to all the concerned parties, including chief officer of district council Gujrat to appear before the special secretary (admin) LG&CD on May 12 (Tuesday) in response to the appeals submitted by the management of housing societies.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026