LAHORE: Town planning enforcement teams of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Monday sealed 101 properties and demolished two illegal structures as part of an ongoing crackdown on unauthorised commercial buildings and properties with outstanding commercialisation fees.

According to a spokesman for the authority, the teams carried out operations in various schemes and LDA-controlled areas, including Gajjumatta, Attari Saroba, Gulberg, Faisal Town, Canal Road, Samanabad, GT Road and Allama Iqbal Town.

An under-construction illegal building near the Gajjumatta Metro Bus Station was demolished, while another illegal structure near Central Park Housing Scheme Phase-II was also razed.

The teams sealed properties being used for unauthorised commercial purposes near Attari Saroba, while 28 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town were sealed over illegal commercial use.

Another 60 properties along Canal Road, Samanabad and the GT Road were sealed over unauthorised commercial use and nonpayment of commercialisation fees. Twelve properties were sealed in Allama Iqbal Town during a recovery operation.

The sealed properties included private schools, clinics, beauty salons, cafes, restaurants, food outlets, grocery and hardware stores, pharmacies, shops, showrooms and offices.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner Asad-uz-Zaman and Chief Town Planner-II Azhar Ali.

The LDA says action against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercialisation fees would continue without discrimination.

ARRESTED: Two suspects were arrested and eight illegal electricity connections detected during an operation against power theft in the city on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco).

The spokesperson says that Rana Town Sub-Division team, led by Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Mian Hamza Ishaq, conducted checking along Khayaban-i-Quaid and Niaz Beg Road, along with the reading and detection staff.

The team detected eight direct electricity supplies being used illegally to provide power to eight shops and 12 residential quarters located in three plazas. Two suspects allegedly involved in power theft were arrested on the spot, while a detection bill for 14,600 units was issued to them.

Applications for registration of eight FIRs against the alleged power thieves have also been submitted to the relevant police station.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026