Lahore officials have imposed a provincewide ban on approvals that violate district Master Plans, a move announced at a high-level housing meeting chaired by Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal. The directive, issued to enforce the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, states that approvals for private housing societies will only be granted in strict accordance with district Master Plans and that applications without an approved Master Plan will not be entertained.
Directives were circulated to all development authorities, including the directors general, DG PHATA and the CEO RDA, instructing them to stop any irregular approvals. The Secretary emphasised that it is the responsibility of each agency to carry out due diligence before granting permissions and to ensure that Master Plan provisions are implemented on the ground.
A department spokesperson said Master Plan violations are a primary cause of unchecked urban sprawl and that a comprehensive planning framework is being finalised to better regulate private housing societies. The spokesman added that strict application of existing laws will help preserve green areas and guide orderly development across Punjab.
Officials noted that destruction of green spaces contributes to smog and environmental pollution, undermining public health. Implementing the Master Plan, they said, is integral to protecting citizens’ lives and property while steering urban growth in a sustainable direction consistent with the provincial government’s priorities.
