The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has officially revised its regulations for housing societies in Lahore, introducing a significant hike in the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) fee. The fee has been increased from PKR 50,000 to PKR 100,000 per kanal, doubling the cost for developers and builders seeking approvals.

The decision was finalized during PHA’s 27th Board of Directors (BoD) meeting, chaired by Ghazali Saleem Butt, the BoD Chairman.

New Tree Plantation Requirements for Housing Societies

Alongside the NOC fee hike, the PHA has introduced stricter green development guidelines. All housing societies in Lahore will now be required to ensure tree plantation as part of their development plans:

• Two trees for every 10-marla plot
• Four trees for every one-kanal plot

This move aims to enhance urban greenery, control pollution, and create a sustainable environment in Lahore’s rapidly growing real estate sector.

MoU with Punjab Healthcare Department

Another major update from the meeting was the approval of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the PHA and the Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department. Under this agreement:

• PHA will be responsible for maintaining green spaces inside hospitals.
• In return, hospitals will provide quality medical facilities to PHA employees at discounted rates.

Sports Grounds & Recreational Facilities

The Board also made decisions concerning sports and recreational development:

• Five cricket grounds will remain under the management of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
• The auction of 16 other sports grounds under PHA’s control was also proposed to promote fair usage and revenue generation.

Other Key Announcements by PHA Lahore

• Approval for the purchase of a hydro seeder mulching machine to improve horticultural efficiency.
• A 10% increase in park booking rates across Lahore.
• Launch of the “Adopt-a-Park” corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, encouraging companies to take part in park maintenance.
• Introduction of a 10+10 years lease policy for long-term urban projects.
• Assurance that salaries of both regular and contractual employees will now be disbursed by the 1st of every month.

 

What This Means for Real Estate Developers in Lahore

The real estate and housing sector in Lahore will feel the impact of these new regulations. While the higher NOC fee increases development costs, the emphasis on tree plantation and green initiatives reflects a shift towards sustainable urban development.

For potential homeowners and investors, these measures could enhance the overall livability and environmental quality of upcoming housing societies in Lahore.