LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) claims to have revamped its enforcement and inspection regime, introducing digital monitoring of action against illegal constructions, unauthorised commercial use of properties, violations of land-use regulations and non-payment of dues.

The new standard operating procedures (SOPs) aim at bringing greater transparency and accountability to field operations, officials said.

Under the new system, notices, sealing and demolition proceedings will be processed through a digital file-management mechanism. Notices will carry QR codes, while geo-tagged photographs and other relevant records will be uploaded and monitored online.

Properties facing enforcement action have been divided into three categories — illegal construction, unauthorised change in the use of an existing building and non-payment of dues.

The authority has also introduced digital record of de-sealing proceedings. A sealed property will only be de-sealed after payment of the applicable fine, restoration of the property to its lawful status, or approval from the competent authority.

The new SOPs also spell out the powers and responsibilities of assistant directors, deputy directors and directors of town planning. All zones of the Town Planning Wing will be required to inform the relevant chief town planner before undertaking sealing or demolition operations.

A committee headed by the chief town planner has been constituted to scrutinise cases involving illegal commercial properties. The committee will comprise the chief IT officer, and directors of revenue, law and town planning.

The committee will decide matters relating to the declaration of a property as illegally commercialised, issuance of notices and their withdrawal or correction, as well as subsequent enforcement action.

“The committee will examine the complete planning, legal and revenue position of each property before reaching a decision. It will scrutinise the approved or unapproved building plans, temporary and permanent commercialisation and their legal status,” explained LDA Director General Tahir Farooq in a meeting held here on Monday.

The complaints, inspection reports, court stay orders and injunctions concerning a property will also be taken into consideration, he said.

Any previous approval, exemption, composition or regularisation granted by a competent authority will likewise be examined. The committee will also verify outstanding dues, fines, revenue records, digital data and site-related information.

Its decisions, along with supporting documents, will be uploaded to the digital system. Any subsequent correction or modification will have to be made through the system’s audit trail, making the process traceable.

Under the revised SOPs, property owners will be given 15 days to address unauthorised commercial use and five days in cases involving illegal construction before enforcement action is taken.

The LDA has warned that negligence or non-compliance with the new procedures will invite departmental action against the officials concerned.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026