Abbottabad | ReNews Pakistan
The Galiyat Development Authority has introduced Building Control Regulations 2026, reducing the maximum permitted building height from seven to five floors in applicable environmentally sensitive and tourism focused areas as part of a broader effort to control high rise development and protect the region's mountain character.
According to GDA Director General Mohammad Fawad, the authority has amended its previous 2020 building control framework to address growing concerns over construction pressure, environmental protection and the impact of taller buildings on Galiyat's landscape and tourism identity.
The authority has clarified, however, that the five floor limit does not give every property owner an automatic right to construct a five storey building.
The actual number of floors permitted on an individual property will continue to depend on several planning and site specific factors, including zoning, residential or commercial use, whether the plot is located on the uphill or downhill side, road width, required setbacks, site conditions, environmental restrictions and approval of the individual building plan.
As a result, permissible construction may vary considerably between individual properties even within the same broader area.
The revised regulations are particularly significant for hotels, apartment buildings, commercial projects, holiday homes and mixed use developments, where the number of permitted floors can have a major impact on project feasibility and land valuation.
BCR 2026 also introduces tighter controls on conventional concrete construction. The authority is moving towards greater use of prefabricated, wooden and environmentally friendly structures in applicable areas to reduce the impact of construction activity on forests, mountain slopes and the wider natural environment.
The changes could also have implications for Galiyat's property market. Land previously valued on assumptions that taller buildings could be constructed may need to be reassessed according to the development potential permitted under the new regulations.
Investors planning hotels, apartments or commercial developments may therefore need to verify the allowable building height, covered area, land use and other planning conditions for a specific property directly with the GDA before purchasing land or finalising a development proposal.
The introduction of BCR 2026 comes alongside other environmental initiatives being pursued in Galiyat, including a wastewater treatment project in Nathia Gali and the introduction of electric sightseeing vehicles.
Together, these measures indicate a broader shift in Galiyat's development policy towards environmentally sustainable tourism and controlled construction rather than unrestricted expansion.
The new regulatory framework could reshape future real estate development across the region by requiring developers to balance commercial construction potential with environmental protection, mountain aesthetics and the limited carrying capacity of sensitive tourism destinations.

Abbottabad : ReNews Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has inaugurated the newly developed Shimla Hill Park in Abbottabad, marking a major addition to the city’s recreational and public spaces.
Spread over 702 kanals, the state of the art park has been developed as a major recreational facility for residents and visitors. During the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Afridi described the project as a gift from the government led by former prime minister Imran Khan to the people of Abbottabad.
Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister thanked the people of Abbottabad for their continued support for the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) in elections and highlighted the provincial government’s broader development agenda for the Hazara region.
Afridi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated Rs 200 billion under the Khushal Hazara Programme to accelerate development across the division. Of the total allocation, Rs 150 billion has been earmarked for development projects, while another Rs 50 billion will be spent on promoting tourism across Hazara.
The chief minister said the initiative is aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting economic activity and strengthening the tourism potential of the region. Hazara, known for its mountainous landscape and tourism destinations, remains an important part of the province’s efforts to expand tourism-related development.
Rs 1.4 Billion Allocated for Urban Flooding and Hospital Development
The provincial government has also allocated Rs 1.4 billion to address Abbottabad’s urban flooding problem, according to the chief minister. The funding is expected to support measures aimed at improving the city’s drainage and flood-management infrastructure and reducing the impact of heavy rainfall on urban areas.
Afridi further announced that sufficient funds have been allocated for the District Headquarters Hospital Abbottabad under the provincial government’s flagship development programme.
He said the hospital project would be completed on a priority basis, emphasizing that local residents had been waiting for its completion. The government’s focus on the health facility is intended to improve access to healthcare services for Abbottabad and surrounding areas.
The inauguration of Shimla Hill Park, along with the announced investments in infrastructure, tourism and healthcare, represents a broader development push in Abbottabad and the Hazara division. The projects are expected to improve public amenities while contributing to the region’s urban development and tourism potential.

Abbotabad : ReNews Pakistan
The district administration in Havelian has reclaimed more than four kanals of expensive government land during a large-scale anti encroachment operation aimed at removing illegal structures from public property.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional Assistant Commissioner-II Muhammad Osama Khan on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad. The action targeted encroachments established on land owned by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) adjacent to the Rescue 1122 building in Havelian.
During the operation, enforcement teams demolished four illegally constructed shops and removed a hand pump that had been installed on the occupied land. Following the clearance operation, possession of the land was formally restored to the TMA.
Officials from the relevant government departments remained present throughout the operation to oversee the demolition and ensure that the process was completed peacefully and in accordance with administrative procedures. No major law and order situation was reported during the drive.
The district administration reiterated its commitment to protecting public assets and preventing the unlawful occupation of government land. Officials stated that anti-encroachment operations would continue across the district and that strict action would be taken against illegal occupants without discrimination.
Authorities added that reclaiming public land is essential for preserving government property, improving civic management, and ensuring that land reserved for public use remains available for future development and community services.