Islamabad: The Punjab Community Development and Local Government Department has finalized land use and zoning plans for 32 districts, identifying specific areas for residential, commercial and industrial development, according to official sources.
This initiative seeks to prevent the continued conversion of agricultural land into unauthorized residential projects. In recent decades, Punjab has lost 225,000 acres of agricultural land to nearly 6,000 housing schemes, with about 4,000 of these projects allegedly built illegally in collaboration with municipal and development authorities.
A senior government official expressed concern about the loss of vital agricultural land due to unbridled urban growth. In response, the provincial government began developing master plans several years ago to address the challenges of urbanization.
These new regulations make it illegal to establish housing schemes or commercial and industrial projects on land not approved in master plans. The official stressed that this rapid urbanization has not only led to a decline in agricultural production, but also exacerbated environmental problems, including smog and pollution.
To address these concerns, the government established a project management unit to oversee the creation of master plans in close coordination with local authorities. The new zoning guidelines are intended to shape development over the next two decades and ensure sustainable growth of the area.