Illegal structures; Fake housing schemes flourish in Potohar Town

As many as 39 schemes have been identified and declared fake.

RAWALPINDI: The business of bogus housing schemes continues to flourish in Potohar Town, and despite being declared illegal and not being registered, no action has been taken against them by the authorities so far.

An official of the town administration, while talking to The Express Tribune, said so far 39 housing schemes have been identified and declared fake. The administration of some of the identified schemes has applied for registration at the planning division so they could meet the legal requirement.

However, despite being aware of the situation, the authorities have decided to turn a blind eye on the case and have failed to take any action against the schemes.

The official informed that six housing schemes, out of the total 39, had filed applications with the district council but have not been approved so far as they are yet to fulfill the legal requirements under the Punjab Private Housing Schemes Rules, 2005.



People running the fake schemes are advertising them and offering a reasonable down payment for different sizes of plots.

“Such societies cannot work without the consent of the authorities and strong political affiliations,” the official said, adding that mostly land grabbers with strong political support such societies.

He said the ‘mafia’ has been advertising the schemes, distributing brochures and receiving a good response from the public.

Some names of the schemes he shared are Islam Green Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Enterprises, Khan Model Town, Latifabad Town, Rawalpindi Green City Phase I and II, Dubai City, Peace City, Gulshan-e-Balgram Garden, Ali Motorway City, Classic City, Hina Town, Jafaria Town, Gulshan-e-Sangral, Khyber Model Town, Gulshan-e-Subhan, Gulshan-e-Mustafa, Gulshan-e-Muhammadi, Indus City, Khyber City, City Light, Alharamain Town, Salih City, Zham Valley, Usama Town, Qurtaba Coporation and Qurtaba Farming.

Potohar Town Administrator Arif Raheem could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2015.