Punjab launches crackdown on illegal housing societies in Sialkot

The district administration launched a major crackdown on illegal housing societies in Sialkot following Punjab government orders, sealing several private schemes for alleged unauthorized construction.

Officials targeted CA Gold, Star, Abdullah, Islam, and Makkah housing societies after receiving multiple complaints about unapproved development activities. Administration teams inspected sites, halted ongoing construction, and sealed offices where violations appeared evident.

CA Gold Housing Society was under special investigation and was sealed based on allegations of associations with the prominent local figures; a video that included a relative of a federal minister was played during the investigation. Officials met with representatives of the people of the society on the spot to encourage them to come up with the necessary legal documents and development approvals as soon as possible.

Authorities said that those who cannot show valid permits would face more actions. The operation forms part of a wider provincial campaign to curb illegal housing schemes and protect citizens from fraud and unsafe development. District Council staff emphasized that “uncontrolled building” is a threat to community safety and threatens to impair the city’s planned services, such as water, sewer, and road systems. Inspectors recorded offences, recorded photographs of irregular buildings and issued reports for legal action.

Residents who bought plots in sealed societies expressed mixed reactions; some welcomed the raid as necessary to stop illegal builders, while others worried about delays and potential losses to their investments. The government will give clear instructions to bonafide buyers to verify titles and apply for regularisation where applicable, administration sources said.