LDA to ban misleading ads on social media

Illegal private housing schemes advertise projects through social media campaigns

LAHORE:

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has approached the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to impose a ban on social media advertisements of unapproved or illegal housing schemes in Lahore division.

In a written communiqué, the authority has pointed out that various illegal private housing schemes are advertising their projects and schemes through social media campaigns. The city developer has highlighted that several illegal projects are being marketed through advertisements through SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube campaigns.

These sponsors portray the most attractive picture of the projects without considering the physical and legal status of their projects. The consequences of these activities emerge in the form of illegal sale and purchase of files or plots in illegal schemes.

In most complaints received by the authority, the mass scale publicity and social media advertisements are always the basic motivating factor behind these transactions.

LDA has pointed out that as per Rule-45of the LDA Private Housing Scheme Rules, 2014, the sponsor shall not initiate any publicity of scheme or sub-division and sale of plots prior to securing no objection certificate (NOC) from the authority.

The sponsors are selling residential and commercial plots of their illegal schemes without having land ownership, approved plan and development works in accordance with the law. In this way, they deceive innocent citizens and investors through their glamorous presentations. Such fraudulent practices cause heavy financial and social issues for the general public.

The authority has asked the telecom regulator to impose a strict ban on unauthorised advertisements of housing projects on social media.

A spokesperson for the authority has advised the citizens to check LDA approval before making an investment in any private housing project as dozens of illegal projects are being marketed through electronic means and social media.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2020.