Plan on the anvil to tackle illegal constructions

The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is said to have enacted a policy to tackle unapproved commercial developments, which includes demolishing non-compliant buildings.

According to sources, the crackdown on illegal commercial construction could bring in hundreds of millions of rupees in revenue through regularisation fees.

On Monday, a section of an illegally constructed building in Satellite Town's F Block was torn down.

Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali, despite pressure from influential figures, oversaw the demolition using heavy machinery. The action follows The Express Tribune's report, which highlighted illegal plazas, shopping malls, and other commercial structures within RMC's jurisdiction.

According to sources, the District Planning and Design Committee (DPDC) has not convened in some time, allowing unapproved commercial constructions to flourish.

However, the new RMC policy requires all commercial buildings to maintain legal records. Structures that fail to comply will be demolished by their owners or the RMC itself.

A list of fee-defaulters among commercial buildings is also being compiled. Property owners will be given a deadline to settle dues, or risk having their properties sealed, with fines imposed for re-opening.