RDA foils bid to grab state land

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has cancelled the provisional approval letter for the commercialisation of a residential plot with the inclusion of 18 marla state land in the Civil Lines area on the property of a renowned businessman. The Authority also confiscated the advanced deposit amount of Rs6.3 million.

On July 3, 2024, the Land Use and Building Control Directorate of the RDA issued a letter of provisional approval for the commercialisation of four kanal and five marla land owned by the entrepreneur who added 18 marla of the RDA land to his proprietary without the NOC of estate management directorate. A large commercial arcade was to be constructed on the said plot.

In the letter issued for the provisional approval, it was stated that a total of over Rs31.8m would have to be paid to the RDA for the commercialisation, 20% of the total amount (Rs6.3m) was deposited in advance, while the remaining amount of Rs25.4m was to be deposited in seven equal instalments of more than Rs3.6m every three months till March 5, 2026.

However, RDA Director-General Kanza Murtaza not only cancelled the current letter of provisional approval, as it was not by the rules and regulations but also confiscated the advance deposit of Rs6.3m as a government right.

She also appointed the Additional Director General RDA, Owais Manzoor Tarar as an inquiry officer to probe the matter. The officer will inquire about the matter of issuing a letter (RDA/LU&BC/-Com-901/256/2024) dated July 3, 2024, as provisional approval of commercialisation, to the businessman by the RDA and submit the report to the DG after determining the responsibility.

The Civil Lines is the most expensive area of Rawalpindi and the official residences of RDA officers are also located in this area.