- Sohail Afridi orders cut-off date for registration of illegal housing schemes, directs centralised building approval system and new posts to strengthen LUBCA
PESHAWAR 19 SEPTEMBER 2026 (Agencies) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi chaired a meeting of the council of the Land Use and Building Control Authority, approving several measures aimed at regulating housing schemes, streamlining building approvals and curbing illegal construction activities.
The chief minister approved a proposed amendment to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Schemes Regulations 2024 and directed authorities to expedite the process of determining the legal status and granting approval to unapproved and illegal housing schemes. Afridi ordered that a cut-off date be fixed for registration applications from all unregistered and illegal housing schemes, and directed that strict action be taken under the law against schemes that fail to submit applications within the prescribed period or do not fulfil the required conditions. “Bringing unregistered housing schemes within the legal framework is the primary objective of extending the housing regulations,” the chief minister said.
He also directed the authorities to develop a centralised system under LUBCA for the approval of building plans for all development authorities, except the Peshawar Development Authority. The chief minister asked officials to submit a final plan within two weeks on either integrating the development authorities or establishing a centralised system, saying an integrated and effective mechanism was essential for improving the performance of development authorities and ensuring transparency.
The meeting also considered a proposal to create 21 new posts to enhance LUBCA’s operational capacity. Officials briefed the meeting on matters relating to the approval and renewal of the enlistment fee structure and the introduction of a uniform debris fee, and the council gave its in-principle approval to the proposed enlistment and renewal fee structure and uniform debris fee. A proposal to exempt residential building plans covering up to five marlas from the debris fee was also discussed, with the chief minister directing that the matter be placed before the Finance Committee.
The council decided to retain the existing revenue-sharing formula between LUBCA and the tehsil municipal administrations, under which LUBCA receives 25 percent of the revenue while the TMAs receive 75 percent, according to the briefing. The council also approved LUBCA’s revised budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and its budget for 2026-27, and the chief minister directed the formation of a Finance Committee under the council to make final recommendations on matters involving financial implications.
Afridi said preventing illegal construction, promoting sustainable development and strengthening the TMAs were simultaneously necessary, stressing that effective enforcement of relevant laws and serious measures were essential to achieve the desired results.