A committee formed to review matters regarding illegal housing societies

 
 
 
A committee was formed to review matters regarding illegal housing societies

Housing societies have immense importance in the country as they provide shelter to urban dwellers with several basic amenities. However, these housing societies have to work under the extent of Local Development Authorities for getting legal approvals. As a matter of fact, in Pakistan, several housing societies are unregistered with the local authorities increasing the unprecedented loss of genuine buyers and adversely affecting the development of the property market. Recently, a number of buyers and investors have complained about their losses in the illegal housing schemes which the Provincial government has taken notice of and formed a committee to review matters against these housing societies. 

Illegal Housing societies in Pakistan                                

Currently, in Pakistan, there are around 69% of illegal housing societies, making a total of 6,000 unregistered with the concerned authorities out of 8,767 housing societies (The News). Only 10% of the country’s housing societies are approved whereas 5% are cancelled and 16% of the societies are not even approved. 

illegal housing societies pie chart

In Islamabad, around 140 housing societies are illegal, occupying 90% of land in different zones. On the other hand, only 22 housing societies are approved by the CDA and hold a No-Objection-Certificate (NOC). 

A Special Committee against Illegal Housing Societies 

Due to the increasing complaints of people against illegal housing societies, the government has taken notice of the issue and formed a special committee that will propose a comprehensive solution to the problems being faced by the residents of unapproved and illegal housing societies. The committee will identify the total number of illegal housing societies and review those that are being made without the approval of competent authority with poor planning and land issues. Earlier, the authorities have also put a ban on the construction of several unapproved residential projects to deal with the menace of illegal housing societies. 

Way Forward

To end the issue of illegal housing societies and create an authentic residential real estate sector, the government needs to make several imperative measures. The authorities should make the process of acquiring NOC effortless and reduce unnecessary steps that discourage sponsors from seeking legal permissions from the concerned authorities.

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IMARAT Institute of Policy Studies

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