Islamabad, Feb 3: In a bold effort to recover outstanding commercialization fees and penalties, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched a large-scale demolition operation targeting non-compliant businesses and buildings. This unprecedented action aims to reinforce financial discipline and prevent revenue loss.
Traditionally, LDA officers would seal properties failing to pay required dues. However, many defaulters managed to reopen their businesses through external influence or bribery, undermining enforcement efforts. “To curb this trend, we had no option but to initiate partial demolitions to pressure defaulters into settling their dues,” an LDA official disclosed on condition of anonymity.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq ordered a demolition squad to Johar Town’s Khayaban-e-Firdousi. The squad targeted properties that ignored commercialization fee notices. Authorities had sealed these properties multiple times, but they kept operating illegally.
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The crackdown is set to expand into other key commercial hubs, including Garden Town, Muslim Town, Iqbal Town, Mustafa Town, Wahdat Road, Gulberg, Township, Green Town, Model Town (Extension), and Faisal Town.
Lahore Development Programme (LDP) Gains Momentum
Parallel to the LDA’s enforcement actions, the Lahore Development Programme (LDP) is progressing under strict supervision to ensure timely and high-quality urban development. Assistant Commissioners (ACs) across different zones are overseeing infrastructure projects and monitoring compliance with city planning regulations.
AC Nishtar, Muhammad Saleem Aasi, recently conducted field inspections in Union Councils 241, 247, and 248 to evaluate development progress and update data records. Similarly, AC Allama Iqbal Town, Khawaja Muhammad Umer Mahmood, led a review meeting to assess the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) initiatives. The session revealed the use of substandard red tiles by a contractor, leading to an immediate directive for their replacement with high-quality materials.
Meanwhile, Ravi AC Tariq Shabbir visited Kashmiri Ghatti, where he confirmed that PCC (plain cement concrete) work would commence next week. In UC 153, Shalimar AC Dr. Anum Fatima supervised an ongoing road construction project, resolving a bottleneck caused by pending WASA clearance.
A spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore emphasized that all relevant departments have been instructed to ensure the timely completion of LDP projects while maintaining strict quality standards. The crackdown and development initiatives reflect the authorities’ commitment to fostering a disciplined and progressive urban environment.