LHC gives final warning to Rawalpindi officials over outrageous property rate hike

Commissioner given 10 days to withdraw massive hike in valuation rates ranging from 500% to 5,000%

RAWALPINDI:

The Lahore High Court has granted Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak a final 10-day extension to comply with a previous court order suspending the sharp increase in property valuation rates set by the deputy commissioner for Union Councils in Rawalpindi, including historic areas like Kotha Kalan I and II.

In a significant ruling, Justice Jawad Hassan ordered that the rates, which had increased by as much as 5,000%, be re-determined within 10 days. Failure to comply will result in contempt of court proceedings against both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema.

The case was filed by senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Asif Ali, who argued that for over 50 years, property valuation rates in the area had only risen by 10-15% annually.

However, in 2024, the Deputy Commissioner raised commercial property rates by an unprecedented 3,000–5,000%, and residential property rates by 500–3,000%, causing property transactions to come to a halt in these regions for the last two years.

The situation worsened when a further hike of 1,000–3,000% was imposed starting July 1, 2025, which severely impacted the local property market.

The LHC had previously instructed the officials to withdraw the inflated rates and consult stakeholders to determine new, fair valuations. However, both the Commissioner and DC failed to comply with this order, prompting the court to issue a final warning.

The court has now emphasised that the rates must be revised, and a report on the matter must be submitted within 10 days. If the officials do not act, the court warned it would initiate contempt proceedings.