Punjab government to target illegal housing societies on agricultural land

LAHORE: A committee led by Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz convened to discuss land use policies in Punjab on Wednesday.

The committee was chaired by Minister of Local Government and Community Development Department Punjab Zeeshan Rafiq where concerns were raised over the widespread encroachment of agricultural land into illegal housing societies.

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During the meeting, Rafiq stated that there was a pressing need to manage agricultural lands properly to meet the increasing demand for residential space. While the minister acknowledged a growing demand for residential space for the province’s burgeoning population, he stated there needed to be a balance between urban development and preserving agricultural lands.

He conceded the economic potential of the real estate sector and its role in employment generation. However, Rafiq pointed out the need for proper regulation to ensure sustainable urban growth.

National Assembly (NA) member Syed Ashiq Kirmani had previously voiced concerns about the spread of unauthorised housing schemes encroaching upon agricultural zones. In response, the committee agreed to take steps to address illegal housing societies through legal action.

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The committee agreed to undertake efforts to curb unauthorised residential development on agricultural land, in accordance with proper legal frameworks.

The committee also decided to establish sub-committees to gather comprehensive data on land use practices across Punjab. The sub-committees will provide valuable insights and recommendations to inform future policy decisions aimed at addressing the challenges of land use management.