Islamabad (Special Correspondent):
Serious legal, technical, and transparency violations have come to light in the City Housing Scheme in Mirpur, raising alarm bells for overseas investors. Sources reveal that powerful individuals are allegedly interfering in the project, while the mysterious silence of state institutions has further deepened concerns over the legal and technical aspects of the scheme.
Serious questions are being raised about the legitimacy of the NOC (No Objection Certificate) issued for the project. According to sources, the initial approval was allegedly granted on dubious grounds, with crucial prerequisites such as a geological survey, scientific testing, identification of water channels, and other legal requirements left incomplete.
The multi-billion-rupee project is now being seen as a potential risk for overseas investors. Credible sources claim that City Housing has yet to fulfill all legal obligations and has not obtained an official NOC from the Mirpur Development Authority (MDA). Key requirements such as verified land ownership, geological surveys, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), three separate NOCs from the Environmental Department, and accurate land sizing reports remain unfulfilled—casting serious doubt on the project’s legal standing.
Furthermore, WAPDA has identified the site as “Category C-Paj” land—geologically unstable and historically prone to land subsidence. Despite these dangers, construction activities have reportedly been allowed, posing a severe risk to human life, property, and the natural environment.
Under the Rules of Business 1974, final approval for any housing project lies solely with the relevant development authority. Any NOC issued without their endorsement holds questionable legality. According to authority regulations, 20% of the project’s total land and all public spaces must be officially transferred to government ownership. However, an NOC hurriedly issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mirpur appears to have bypassed these critical legal requirements.
Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur, Chaudhry Riaz, confirmed that the housing society secured the NOC by pledging 50 commercial plots—collectively valued at Rs 1.25 billion—as collateral. However, neither ownership documents for these plots nor independent scientific valuation reports were provided. No financial or cash guarantees were obtained from any bank or financial institution either.
Documents also reveal a stark discrepancy between the records submitted to the environmental authorities and those held by the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. While the environmental documents mention 500 kanals of land, the DC Office notification claims the society has acquired 3,200 kanals—further undermining the transparency of the project.
Local residents, environmental experts, and civil society members have called on the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir, the Chairman of NAB, and the judiciary to take urgent notice of the situation to prevent any potential human or financial disaster.
