LAHORE: The Lahore Division Master Plan-2050 is likely to recommend imposition of heavy penalties, land use conversion fees or other actions before regularising those illegal housing schemes developed in green areas but later fell in the justification of brown areas following decisions and approval by the government.
However, the status of housing schemes which still existed in green areas would remain illegal and they would not be regularised as per the recommendations of the master plan, Dawn has learnt.
“Homes in many such housing schemes and land subdivisions were rapidly built by plot owners and they started living there. Likewise, commercial areas in these schemes were also developed fully to cater to the needs of residents. Later, when some green areas were converted into brown areas (residential and mixed use), those who procured land at high rates for development in a legal way faced problems during selling plots. This was due to the cost incurred on development and land purchase had jumped higher than what it was when these areas were green. After deliberation, it has been recommended to impose heavy fines, charge land use conversion fee or take any other action against such schemes to discourage this practice in the future,” explained a senior official of the Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA’s) metropolitan wing in a conversation with Dawn.
To a question, the official said that action recommended against those schemes developed in green areas that were later converted into brown areas was meant to punish the developers and to protect the rights of developers establishing housing schemes and land subdivisions legally in such areas. When asked about those schemes that were illegally developed and currently fall in green areas, the official said such illegal schemes would not be regularised at any cost and action would be taken against them. In February, the LDA’s governing body gave the metropolitan wing a go-ahead to complete the plan-2050 after negotiating with consultants regarding the Rs320 million expenditures it had sought after a court order. Moreover, a high-level committee also wanted its completion as soon as possible. Currently, matters concerning city planning are being dealt with under the obsolete amended Lahore Division Plan-2016 - a revised version of the Punjab Capital Master Plan 2004-2021. The Lahore Division Master Plan-2050 was completed in 2022 and later challenged in the Lahore High Court that finally suspended its enforcement in January 2023.
The plan-2050 envisages a new city centre in Gulberg and contains details of the city’s future growth and expansion. The master plan includes a regional plan of Lahore division, as well as master plans of major urban settlements falling within the division.
It may be mentioned that the environment department in coordination with the LDA organised a public hearing on the environmental aspects of the Plan 2050 at the LDA Sports Complex seeking public input on environmental pollution and other urban challenges last week.
During the hearing, architect and Lahore Bachao Tehreek member Kamil Khan Mumtaz spoke about various stages of the master plan. He said the plan’s primary objective was to preserve Lahore’s cultural heritage while ensuring the city’s prosperity. Representatives of an international consulting firm briefed participants on its key features. They said the plan covered a wide range of urban needs, including public transport, roads, housing, agriculture, healthcare, landscaping, educational facilities, industry and sewerage systems. The master plan encompasses Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib, and assesses the urban infrastructure and service requirements of the region. Public consultation and recommendations from the environment department are also being incorporated into the planning process, the participants were told.
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026
