KP Govt to Regulate Illegal Housing Schemes

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has approved a series of measures aimed at regulating illegal housing schemes and streamlining the building plan approval process in the province. The decisions were made during a meeting of the Land Use and Building Control Authority (LUBCA) council, chaired by the CM.

Amending the KP Housing Schemes Regulations 2024 was among the key decisions taken by the council. The CM also ordered officials to expedite the legal evaluation of unapproved and illegal housing schemes, setting a deadline for registration applications from all unregistered and unauthorized constructions. Unauthorized schemes that miss the deadline or fail to meet the requirements will face legal repercussions.

The main objective behind these regulations is to bring unregistered housing schemes under the legal framework, according to the CM. The council also discussed the introduction of a centralized system for building plan approvals, covering all development authorities except the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA). CM Afridi requested officials to determine whether the development authorities should be unified or remain under a centralized approval system, with a final decision expected within two weeks.

A proposal to create 21 new posts to bolster LUBCA's operational capacity was also considered. Officials presented a proposed enlistment and renewal fee structure, along with a uniform debris fee. The council granted an in-principle approval to both proposals, with the matter of exempting residential building plans up to five marlas from the debris fee to be referred to the Finance Committee.

The council decided to maintain the existing revenue-sharing arrangement between LUBCA and Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs), with LUBCA receiving 25 percent and TMAs the remaining 75 percent. The council also approved LUBCA's revised budget for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. CM Afridi directed the formation of a Finance Committee to make final recommendations on financial matters.