Punjab’s Illegal Housing Crisis: Shocking Numbers Revealed

Islamabad, 31 May 2025: Punjab’s Illegal Housing remains a pressing issue, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz disclosing that over 5,000 residential schemes across the province are either unapproved or operating unlawfully a revelation that has renewed scrutiny of the region’s real estate oversight.

The figures were shared during a senior level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, where officials from the relevant departments reported that out of 7,905 housing societies in Punjab, only 2,687 have received official approval.

The remainder 5,118 schemes are either illegal or still undergoing the approval process. In Lahore alone, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) oversees 707 schemes, of which 206 were found to be unauthorised and 427 have formal clearance.

READ MORE: 149 Illegal Housing Schemes Found in Rawalpindi

As part of the discussion, participants explored the possibility of a one-time amnesty for these unlawful schemes. A committee comprising senior officials is to be formed to create a framework for potential regularisation.

The meeting also reviewed plans to launch a digital system that would automate the approval, management, and transfer processes of housing societies.

Features of this system are expected to include online document submissions, payment of NOC fees, and the removal of redundant NOC requirements to simplify registration.

During the briefing, the Chief Minister voiced concern over the apparent failure of both regulatory bodies and private developers, suggesting that in many cases, low-income buyers had been defrauded, left without land despite payments.

She questioned the lack of timely intervention from the authorities when such illegal developments were initially established, and stressed that better consumer protection mechanisms must be introduced.

READ MORE: Rawalpindi Cracks Down on 157 Illegal Housing Societies

Chief Minister Nawaz also acknowledged that under current legal provisions, the provincial government may be compelled to consider a limited-time amnesty programme to address Punjab’s Illegal Housing backlog, while ensuring accountability remains intact.

The growing scope of Punjab’s Illegal Housing has underscored the urgent need for administrative reform and stronger oversight in the province’s booming housing sector.