RAWALPINDI, Jan 01 (APP): Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza said on Thursday that, in line with the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the authority’s doors remained open to the public and citizens’ complaints were being addressed on a priority basis.
Addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, Kinza said quality standards were being strictly maintained on the Rawalpindi Ring Road(RRR) project, adding that 78 per cent of the work had been completed and the scheme was expected to be finished by the end of March 2026.
She said regular progress reports on Rawalpindi’s development projects were being submitted to the chief minister and that no hurdles were being faced in the execution of ongoing schemes. Effective and practical measures were also being taken to further improve the RDA’s overall functioning, she added.
Referring to illegal housing schemes, the DG RDA said that 143 fake housing schemes had been identified in Rawalpindi and eliminated following strict action. She said steps were underway to address complaints from citizens who had invested in such schemes, while all social media marketing of fake housing projects had been shut down. She urged citizens to fully verify information before investing in any housing society.
Murtaza said all illegal housing societies were under RDA scrutiny and that complete data had been compiled for the issuance of QR codes on housing society files. Societies holding valid no-objection certificates (NOCs) were operating legally, she said, adding that the QR code system had been activated to protect citizens from fraud. She noted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had appreciated the RDA’s actions against illegal housing schemes.
Commenting on the University Town housing scheme issue, she said the owners had been summoned to safeguard the interests of affected investors. Letters had been sent to NAB and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), she added, while steps had been initiated to block the owners’ national identity cards. A joint investigation team was working to resolve the issue, she said.
Regarding Bahria Town, Murtaza said NAB was conducting investigations and that the RDA had the authority to take over the scheme if required.
She said efforts were underway to further beautify the city, adding that the Green Line project would be aesthetically enhanced in coordination with the Chief Traffic Officer to ensure the safety of motorcyclists. She also announced that Murree Road would be widened by 15 feet, saying the process would not disrupt businesses.
Under corporate social responsibility initiatives, she said housing schemes would install monuments to improve the city’s outlook, while special attention was being given to beautification projects and the development of green belts.
Addressing the issue of Nullah Lai, the RDA chief said further discussions would be held with the Punjab government, as the drain posed a serious threat to lives and property. She said Rawalpindi lacked an effective sewerage system, making it essential to install treatment plants at the city’s exit points. Currently, she added, 33 per cent of the flow was sewage while the remainder was rainwater, turning the nullah into a polluted drain.
She said legal provisions were being strictly enforced and that dumping of garbage or construction material into Nullah Lai was prohibited.