University Town owners face sanctions

Probe panel recommends freezing CNICs, properties of scheme's owners, sponsors

RAWALPINDI:

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted to examine the lack of development and other grievances reported by the allottees of the Rawalpindi Development Authority's (RDA) approved housing scheme, University Town, has recommended to the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner that the identity cards of the scheme's sponsors and owners be blocked, and restrictions imposed on the sale and purchase of their properties.

Residents and allottees of the University Town — situated near the motorway toll plaza - have long endured serious difficulties owing to the absence of basic facilities and the near-total halt in development work in the society. After multiple rounds of discussions between the RDA officials, the scheme's owners and sponsors, and representatives of the allottees, the matter was escalated.

Acting on the directives of Punjab Secretary Housing, Noorul Amin Mengal, RDA Director-General Kinza Murtaza subsequently established a Joint Action Team headed by Additional Director General Mansoor Ahmed Khan.

In its letter to the Deputy Commissioner, the Joint Investigation Team has now proposed that the CNICs of the scheme's owners and sponsors be blocked and that a bar be placed on any sale or transfer of their properties. The purpose is to prevent these individuals from disposing of their assets and departing the country.

It is pertinent to mention that several housing schemes operating within the RDA's controlled jurisdiction remain unapproved, yet continue to sell plots — in many cases in quantities far exceeding the land actually available, with numerous "plots" sold solely in the form of files.