Lahore: The Punjab government has finalized preparations to introduce stricter legislation aimed at curbing illegal housing schemes, land mafia activities, and fraudulent plot sales across the province.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin at the Board of Revenue, which was attended by senior officials including Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed, Secretary Housing Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, DG LDA, and representatives from the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA). Officials from the Local Government, Finance, Law, RUDA, Cooperatives, Environment, and WASA departments were also present.
During the meeting, participants were briefed on a range of issues, including public complaints regarding illegal housing schemes and fake plot file systems. Officials discussed a coordinated legal and administrative framework to address these complaints effectively.
The Punjab Land Records Authority will develop a province-wide software system to ensure transparent approval and verification of housing schemes. The meeting also set a target of resolving issues related to digital revenue records, issuance of NOCs, and other regulatory matters within 90 days.
Other proposals discussed included banning the advertisement of illegal housing schemes, making the registration of property dealers mandatory, and freezing bank accounts and assets of individuals found violating housing and land laws. It was also decided that construction or settlement on natural floodwater passage routes would not be allowed.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Bilal Yasin noted that some housing developers were selling plot files exceeding their approved land holdings and warned that action would be taken against schemes that altered plot locations after installments were paid.
He emphasized that individuals involved in forgery, deception, and fraud must correct their actions, adding that, under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, protecting public rights remains a top priority of the Punjab government.
The new measures are part of the provincial government’s broader effort to regulate the housing sector, enhance transparency, and safeguard the interests of homebuyers in Punjab.
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