Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to expand secret surveys and monitoring to assess the performance of the Suthra Punjab Programme and Model Village projects, particularly the quality of sanitation services and progress against prescribed targets.
According to government sources, the covert monitoring exercise will assess the gap between official claims and conditions on the ground. Officials and field staff found responsible for poor performance, irregularities or failure to meet targets may face disciplinary action.
Sources said sanitation operations, field activities and progress on Model Village projects would be closely monitored to determine whether the targets set by the government were being achieved. The Chief Minister’s Inspection Team and other relevant government agencies are being engaged in the secret survey process to conduct unannounced inspections of sanitation conditions and public services in different areas.
The survey will examine the overall standard of cleanliness, timely removal of waste, presence and performance of field staff, utilisation of available resources and the quality of services being provided to citizens. Progress on sanitation and development-related initiatives under the Model Village projects will also be assessed.
The government has made it clear that negligence, poor performance, corruption and misuse of public resources under the Suthra Punjab Programme will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for persistent lapses in sanitation operations or failure to address public complaints promptly.
Sources said daily digital monitoring of the programme has also been initiated. Under the system, sanitation operations, field activities and progress on various projects are being reviewed on a daily basis. The digital mechanism is aimed at maintaining performance records of relevant institutions and identifying underperforming areas at an early stage.
The government has directed the departments and field agencies concerned to further improve sanitation services, ensure full implementation of assigned targets and guarantee prompt resolution of complaints received from the public.
Officials said the secret surveys and digital monitoring were intended not merely to identify shortcomings but also to improve the quality of services delivered under the Suthra Punjab Programme and ensure that public facilities and sanitation services reach citizens effectively.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has moved to establish a dedicated Enforcement Directorate aimed at consolidating and strengthening action against illegal housing schemes, unauthorized construction, encroachments and violations of approved planning and development regulations across the authority’s jurisdiction.
The proposed directorate is intended to bring enforcement related functions under a coordinated mechanism, enabling the RDA to take more effective and results-oriented action against violations that have continued to pose challenges to regulated urban development in Rawalpindi.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and RDA Director General Salman Ghani reviewed the proposed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the new directorate and discussed the mechanism through which different operational departments of the authority would work together.
According to the proposed operational framework presented by RDA Director Administration Nosheen Israr, officials and officers from the authority’s Town Planning, Building Control, Estate Management and Land Development departments will play an integral role in enforcement operations.
The proposed directorate will specifically focus on illegal and unapproved housing schemes, encroachments, unauthorized construction, buildings violating approved rules and other breaches of planning and development regulations.
The move is aimed at overcoming coordination gaps between different RDA departments and creating a more centralized enforcement structure. Under the proposed arrangement, relevant departments would be able to coordinate inspections, identify violations and take enforcement action through a unified mechanism.
The RDA is also considering seeking operational assistance from the Punjab Police, Rawalpindi, as well as the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) Force, particularly during enforcement operations where additional security or field support may be required.
Commissioner Salman Ghani directed officials to finalize the Terms of Reference for the proposed Enforcement Directorate at the earliest so that the new mechanism could be made operational on a professional and effective basis.
The initiative comes amid increased efforts by the authorities to strengthen enforcement of building bylaws and planning regulations across Rawalpindi district. The proposed directorate could significantly expand the RDA’s capacity to monitor development activity and respond to violations through a more structured enforcement system.
The move is also significant for the city's property sector, where unauthorized housing schemes, illegal construction and encroachments can create serious risks for property buyers and investors. Unapproved developments may expose purchasers to legal disputes, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties in obtaining formal approvals and property-related services.
If implemented effectively, the dedicated enforcement structure could provide a more coordinated regulatory framework for Rawalpindi's rapidly expanding urban areas and strengthen action against developments that bypass approved planning requirements.
The proposed Enforcement Directorate is therefore being viewed as an important step toward improving regulatory oversight, protecting planned urban development and ensuring greater compliance with building and land use regulations across the RDA's jurisdiction.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
Recurring urban flooding has begun taking a toll on Rawalpindi’s residential property market, with residents of flood prone neighbourhoods putting their homes up for sale as fears over worsening waterlogging and repeated inundation grow.
Residents in affected areas have reportedly started displaying “For Sale” signs outside their houses, while investors are approaching homeowners with offers that are below both prevailing market prices and the official property valuation rates notified by the deputy commissioner.
Residents of Javed Colony and Mohalla Fazalabad, including Ibadat Hussain and Nasir Ali, said they had been living in the area for around two decades but were now considering leaving because of the increasingly severe flooding.
According to the residents, floodwater has historically risen by around one to one and a half feet every year, but the situation has deteriorated significantly this year. They said single storey houses were completely submerged during the latest flooding, raising serious concerns about the safety and long-term viability of residential properties in the affected neighbourhoods.
They said the repeated flooding had transformed their localities into permanently vulnerable areas, leaving homeowners with little choice but to consider selling their properties despite receiving offers significantly below their actual value.
The situation has created an unusual pressure on the local property market. Homeowners seeking to sell quickly are reportedly facing investors who are using the flood risk to negotiate substantially lower prices. Residents fear that continued flooding could further depress property values and make it increasingly difficult for affected families to recover their investments.
Residents also identified the condition of Rawalpindi’s storm water drainage system as a major factor behind the destruction caused by heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in the inner city areas.
According to local residents, Rawalpindi has around 15 storm-water drains, but approximately 80% of them have reportedly been encroached upon by permanent structures. They argue that such encroachments have restricted the natural flow and drainage capacity of rainwater, contributing to severe flooding whenever the city receives heavy rainfall.
The recurring flooding is therefore emerging not only as an urban management and public safety issue but also as a growing real estate risk. Properties located in areas repeatedly exposed to flooding can face declining demand, reduced rental potential and difficulty in attracting buyers, while homeowners may be forced to accept discounted prices.
The situation also highlights the financial consequences of inadequate urban drainage and uncontrolled construction. For many homeowners, their property represents their largest financial asset, and a sustained decline in values caused by environmental vulnerability could result in substantial losses.
Residents have called for immediate measures to clear encroachments from storm-water drains, restore their capacity and improve the city's drainage infrastructure. They believe that without a long-term solution, repeated flooding could continue to push residents out of vulnerable neighbourhoods and place further pressure on property prices.
The emerging sell off in flood affected areas serves as a warning for urban planners, development authorities and property investors that climate resilience and drainage infrastructure are becoming increasingly important factors in determining the long term value and viability of residential real estate in Pakistan’s major cities.