In Lahore, LDA announces digital control over illegal construction — Dawn
In Lahore, Pakistan, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) announced the introduction of digital monitoring of action against illegal construction, unauthorized commercial use of property, violations of land-use rules and non-payment of due charges. As Dawn reports, the new standard procedures are intended to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the agency’s field operations.
Digital cases and QR codes
Under the new rules, notices, sealing procedures and demolition procedures will be processed through a digital case management system. Notices will contain QR codes, while geotagged photographs and other related records will be uploaded to the system for online monitoring.
Properties subject to enforcement action have been divided into three categories: illegal construction, unauthorized change in the use of an existing building, and non-payment of charges. The LDA has also introduced digital record-keeping for de-sealing procedures. A sealed property may be unsealed only after payment of the relevant fine, restoration of the property to legal status, or approval by the competent authority.
Committee for commercial properties
The new procedures define the powers and responsibilities of assistant directors, deputy directors and directors of town planning. All zones of the town planning wing must notify the chief town planner before sealing or demolition operations.
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A committee headed by the chief town planner has been created to consider cases involving properties with illegal commercial use. It will also include the chief IT officer and directors for revenue, law and town planning. The committee will decide on declaring a property illegally commercialized, issuing, withdrawing or correcting notices, and further enforcement action.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said that the committee will examine the town-planning, legal and revenue status of each property, including approved or unapproved building plans and the status of temporary or permanent commercialization. Complaints, inspection reports, court injunctions and notices, previous permissions, exemptions from requirements or regularization decisions will also be taken into account. The committee’s decisions, along with supporting documents, will be uploaded to the digital system.
Owners will be given 15 days to stop unauthorized commercial use and five days in illegal construction cases before enforcement action begins. The LDA warned that negligence or failure to comply with the new procedures may result in disciplinary action against responsible officials.
