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Commercialisation of Model Town Society residential plots: Many licences expired, fees not paid in full

By Khawaja Naseer

LAHORE: More than 20 residential plots in Model Town Society (MTS) continue to operate as commercial ventures even though their licences have expired.

Thirty residential units in Model Town were given permission to operate as commercial ventures during the last five years. The MTS has collected only Rs 7,965,349 in temporary commercial fees during the last five years.

Under the Cooperative Model Town Society Act of 1962, only inner circle plots (numbers 1, 36, 37, 78, 79 and 80 in all blocks except J and K), outer circle-facing plots (numbers 18, 19, 63, 64, 91, 92, 113 to 122 in all blocks except J and K), main road-facing plots (number 128 in all blocks except J and K) and plots 121-128J, 159-174C, 159-191D, 159-180G, 159-180H, 1-40K and 90-96K can be commercialised.

Between 2000 and 2002, large-scale commercial activities were allowed in Model Town for three or five years and commercial fees were charged based on the area and nature of business. Despite the end of commercial tenures, the MTS administration has failed to stop commercial activities in residential areas.

According to MTS documents, Plot 18-D was converted into a school for a period of three years on December 1, 2002. Rs 145,350 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 45,000 was paid.

Plot 18-E was converted into a college for three years on October 21, 2000. Rs 119,913 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 25,000 was paid.

Plot 123-E was converted into an office for three years on December 21, 2001. Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 21,802 was paid.

Plot 1-C was converted into a shop for three years on May 3, 2002. Rs 77,230 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 23,720 was paid.

Plot 155-C was converted into a workshop for three years on December 26, 2001. Rs 145,350 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 30,000 was paid.

Plot 11-F was converted into a college for three years on June 1, 2002. Rs 436,050 was charged for commercialisation fees, but only Rs 130,815 was paid.

Plot 12-H was converted into an office for three years on March 27, 2002. Rs 290,700 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 87,210 was paid.

Plot 7-H was converted into a school for three years on December 8, 2001. Rs 218,025 was charged for , but only Rs 65,407 was paid.

Plot 106-C was converted into an office for three years on June 15, 2002. Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 21,803 was paid.

Plot 18-E was converted into an office for three years October 8, 2002. Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 21,803 was paid.

Plot 14-K was converted into a school for three years on March 21, 2002. Rs 436,050 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 130,815 was paid.

Plot 73-G was converted into an office for three years on July 6, 2002. Rs 218,025 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 65,500 was paid.

Plot 128-G was converted into an office for three years on May 15, 2002. Rs 145,350 was charged for commercialisation, but only Rs 43,600 was paid.

Plot 137-E was converted into an office for three years on June 6, 2002. Rs 254,363 was charged for commercialisation, but Rs 76,310 was paid.

Plot 10-G was converted into a college for five years in 2000 and Rs 605,000 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot No-49-G was converted into a college for three years in 2000 and Rs 76,309 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 9-G was converted into a guesthouse for three years in 2000 and Rs 79,675 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 1-H was converted into an office for three years in 2000 and Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 29-B was converted into an office for five years in 2000 and Rs 121,125 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 80-C was converted into a college for five years in 2000 and Rs 308,869 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 106-C was converted into an office for three years and Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 157-D was converted into a shop for three years and Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 178-D was converted into an office for five years and Rs 242,250 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 50-B was converted into an office for three years and Rs 72,675 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 2-K was converted into an office for three years and Rs 145,350 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot No-19-K was converted into an office for five years and Rs 224,098 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 41-K was converted into an office for five years and Rs 121,150 was charged for commercialisation.

Plot 124-D was converted into an office for three years and Rs 109,013 was charged for commercialisation.

There were two cases in which the then MTS administration gave permanent commercial licences to residential plots 11-B for Rs 1,830,000 and 1-C for Rs 1,040,777, but only Rs 312,234 was paid for plot 1-C on April 30 2002.

Sources said that presently many residential plots were being used for commercial activities without permission from the MTS elected body or administrator.

Malik Khalid Imran, former MTS president, said that during his tenure (2002-2005), he did not allow residential plots to be used for commercial activities. Asked about the above-mentioned plots that were approved for commercial activities, he said that he had asked the administration to serve them notices to end commercial activities.

Amir Bakht Azim, MTS Residents’ Association president, said that the commercialisation of MTS was gaining momentum day by day and there were a number of residents who were using their houses for commercial activities without permission from the administration.

He said that before converting houses into commercial centres, residents had to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their neighbours.

He said that in most cases the NOC was not obtained. Asked whether the full fee for commercialisation had been submitted, he said that only the initial fee was deposited with the MTS administration.

Azim said that during the last meeting with the MTS administrator, he highlighted this issue and the administration had promised to take action.

A senior Punjab Cooperative Department official said that the department was monitoring the issue and would soon announce a commercialisation policy for the MTS.

Shahid Najam, former Lahore commissioner, carried out a survey through the district administration and army monitoring teams in 2000. The survey revealed that 188 unauthorised commercial centres were operating in Model Town. These included 76 private offices, 72 educational institutions and 40 clinics. These numbers have increased significantly since then.

The MTS administrator was not available for comment.

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