The Punjab government is considering a proposal to legalize thousands of unauthorized housing schemes and land subdivisions across the province.
The plan, under review by the Board of Revenue (BoR) with input from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other relevant departments, aims to bring unapproved schemes into the regulatory framework while enforcing stricter compliance measures.
Officials say the move is intended to address unplanned urban growth and ensure residents have access to basic civic services such as roads, parks, mosques, and greenbelts.
LDA Chief Metropolitan Planner Faisal Qureshi said the proposal includes heavy fines for developers. Violations previously considered non-compoundable would be made compoundable, giving authorities the ability to calculate and impose penalties.
Developers would also be required to take corrective steps to bring projects in line with planning regulations. As of June this year, Punjab had 7,905 housing schemes covering about two million kanals.
Of these, 2,687 were approved, while 5,118 were either illegal or still awaiting approval. A large number of houses have already been built in these schemes, complicating enforcement.
Officials argue that if the proposal is adopted, it would not only regulate existing violations but also discourage future development of unapproved projects.