Lahore: A government note has proposed bringing most of Lahore’s building-control functions under the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) in an effort to end overlapping jurisdiction between LDA and the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL).
At present, building control in Lahore is handled by multiple authorities, while MCL and LDA remain two of the major regulators. The note argues that overlap between their jurisdictions has created confusion over which authority residents and developers should approach for building-plan approvals and related permissions.
Under the proposal, building control across most of Lahore would be consolidated under LDA, while areas falling under Cantonments, DHA, RUDA, CBD Punjab and the Walled City would remain outside the proposed arrangement.
The proposal also carries an important financial provision for MCL. Section 32 of the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 states that until a relevant authority or function is formally transferred, at least 25% of gross revenue generated from land-use regulation, building control and private housing schemes is to be shared with the concerned local government.
The law also allows a local government, under Section 37, to discharge certain functions through another government office, authority or agency by mutual agreement, providing a possible legal route for an LDA-MCL arrangement.
LDA’s statutory framework was expanded through the 2013 amendment to the LDA Act, which extended the Act to Lahore Division and strengthened LDA’s role in master planning, land use and housing-related functions.
