The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has canceled No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for unconstructed hotels and commercial properties located along riverbanks across the province, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to an official letter from the Director General of the Land Use and Building Control Authority, all chief planning control officers have been notified of the cancellations to ensure proper implementation.
The decision applies only to properties where construction has not yet begun, aiming to prevent potential damage and losses during floods, particularly after recent incidents in Swat, Malakand, and Hazara divisions.
Authorities revealed that many NOCs were previously issued by local Tehsil Municipal Administrations without proper inspections or safety evaluations, highlighting gaps in monitoring and the need for stricter oversight.
Director General Khizar Hayat Khan stated that the revocations were made following directives from the chief secretary, and future NOCs will now be issued under the “Building Control Regulations 2024.”
Additionally, Khizar emphasized that no construction near rivers will be allowed without prior clearance from the Irrigation Department, and existing projects along rivers will be reviewed for compliance with safety and environmental standards.