91 Unlawful Farmhouse Schemes Identified in Lahore

LAHORE: The shocking discovery of 91 unlawful farmhouse schemes by municipal officials in Lahore has raised questions about unauthorised urbanisation and the potential misappropriation of agricultural land for residential use. The projects near the Border Zero Line, which are within an 8.1 decimal kilometre radius, are of particular concern since they present more security risks.

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Investigations indicated that Tehsil Cantt was responsible for 62 unlawful farmhouse complexes, while Tehsil Shalimar was responsible for 29. Local authorities have acted quickly to punish individuals guilty of these unauthorised developments. The West Pakistan Border Area Regulation of 1959, which forbids unauthorised development in border areas, contains Section 9, which addresses the validity of these programmes.

Additionally, authorities are required to address and stop such transgressions by Section 145 of the Local Government Ordinance 2021. Al-Falah Housing Scheme, Lahore Green City, Vital City, Canal Forts II, Rizwan Garden, and Wagha Garden are a few of the projects included in the list of illegal farm housing structures. Notably, using agricultural land for farm housing developments within an 8-decimal km radius is completely forbidden.

Adnan Rashid, the district collector for Lahore, has emphasised the gravity of the situation and promised to give a thorough report on these unlawful farm housing societies within the next fifteen days."This report will serve as the basis for taking further action against those involved in these unauthorised schemes," he declared.