KP cancels NOCs for hotels, commercial properties along rivers

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR : The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has canceled No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued for unconstructed hotels and commercial properties located along riverbanks across the province.

According to an official letter issued by the Director General of the Land Use and Building Control Authority, all chief planning control officers have been informed of the cancellation.

The decision applies to commercial properties where construction has not yet commenced.

Sources indicated that this step had been taken in response to recent flooding incidents in regions such as Swat, Malakand, and Hazara divisions.

Many of the affected NOCs were allegedly issued by local Tehsil Municipal Administrations without proper inspection or evaluation.

Director General Khizar Hayat Khan stated that the NOCs were revoked on the directives of the chief secretary. He confirmed that all future NOCs will now be issued under the new “Building Control Regulations 2024”.

Furthermore, Khizar Hayat Khan emphasized that no construction will be permitted near rivers without prior clearance from the Irrigation Department.

NOCs of already constructed or under-construction buildings along rivers will also be reviewed to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.