# LDA approved and illegal societies list (as of October 2026), and how to check

URL: https://which.pk/property/guides/lda-approved-societies-list/
Author: Ahtisham Imtiaz
Updated: 13 Oct 2026

## Summary

On 13 October 2026, LDA's approved-schemes page listed 400 private housing schemes, and its illegal-schemes page listed 383 schemes declared illegal, with records dated 29 May 2026. Both are free to search at lda.gop.pk. Only 135 approved entries say final approval; 47 say technical approval. LDA's rules make developers mortgage 20% of plots to LDA, and those plots can't be sold until released. Check the mauza and block, not only the name.

## Key facts

- Approved schemes (13 Oct 2026): 400
- Declared illegal (list of 29 May 2026): 383
- Plots mortgaged to LDA: 20% of a scheme's plots
- Cost to check: Free, at lda.gop.pk

The official LDA approved societies list is on **lda.gop.pk/approved-schemes**, and it is free to search. On **13 October 2026** it listed **400 approved private housing schemes**. A separate page lists **383 schemes declared illegal by LDA**, with records dated 29 May 2026. Being on the approved list is not enough on its own: check the approval stage, the mauza and block, and that your plot isn't one of the 20% mortgaged to LDA.

LDA is the Lahore Development Authority. It approves private housing schemes under the LDA Private Housing Schemes Rules 2014. We downloaded all three of LDA's scheme lists on 13 October 2026 and searched them. Every count on this page comes from those lists.

## Where is the LDA approved societies list?

LDA keeps three lists on its website. None of them is a PDF: each is a web page with a search box.

| List | Address | What it holds (13 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Approved schemes | lda.gop.pk/approved-schemes | 400 private schemes, with area, plots, blocks, mortgage status, approval stage and date |
| Illegal schemes | lda.gop.pk/illegal-schemes | 383 schemes declared illegal, with location and LDA directorate |
| Regular schemes | lda.gop.pk/regular-schemes | 19 of LDA's own schemes, such as Allama Iqbal Town and LDA Avenue-I |

The approved page has no "last updated" date. The newest approval date on it is **18 November 2025**, for an amalgamated Eden Abad scheme (1,451 kanals). 89 of the 400 entries have no approval date at all.

**Lists shared on social media are copies:** Files and articles titled "LDA approved societies list PDF" may be copies, not LDA's own list; we found no official PDF. Our earlier society reviews used press copies from 2021 to May 2026, and for some schemes the official pages now differ from those copies. Use the live pages.

## How do I check if a society is LDA approved?

1. Open **lda.gop.pk/approved-schemes** and type the society's name. The search also matches the mauza (revenue village), location, blocks and approval stage, so try the mauza if the name gives nothing.
2. Read the whole entry, not only the name. Check the **mauza**, the **approved area in kanals** and the **approved blocks**. Many big societies have several entries, one per phase or revision.
3. Read the **approval stage** and **date**. "Finally approved" and "technically approved" mean different things (see below).
4. Open **lda.gop.pk/illegal-schemes** and search the same name. Some names appear on both lists.
5. Ask the developer for LDA's NOC letter and the **LDA-approved map**, and check that your plot is inside an approved block and **not mortgaged to LDA**. LDA's own checklist (December 2020, as reported by Zameen) also says to check the project isn't under investigation by NAB or another agency.
6. For anything unclear, go to LDA's One Window Cell and ask in writing.

LDA said in August 2022 that every approved scheme has its own QR code linked to its plots, mortgaged plots and development status. It told buyers to ask the developer for the code and scan it before paying. The approved-schemes page is where those codes lead.

## What does the approval stage mean?

The stage on each entry is free text, so we grouped it. Of the 400 entries on 13 October 2026:

| Stage written on the list | Entries |
|---|---|
| Final approval ("Finally approved", "Final approval granted") | 135 |
| Technical approval (4 say final approval is pending or not yet issued) | 47 |
| Approved by a TMA, union council or zila council | 36 |
| "Approved", with no stage given | 176 |
| Blank or unclear | 6 |

Under LDA's rules (as amended to June 2020), **technical approval** clears the layout plan. The developer must then mortgage 20% of the scheme's plots to LDA as security for development work. Land sub-divisions under 40 kanals are exempt.

**Final approval** comes only after the developer pays the approval fee, records the transfer and mortgage deeds at the Sub-Registrar, deposits a bank guarantee for the development work, and gets water, sewerage, road and electricity designs approved.

Since an amendment of 11 June 2020, a developer may advertise and sell plots once the fees are paid and the transfer and mortgage deeds are recorded in the revenue record, before final approval. So a scheme can sell plots legally before it is "finally approved".

LDA releases mortgaged plots only as development work is done: up to 24% of them when 25% of the work is complete, then more with each further 10%. A scheme still at technical approval may have much of that work ahead of it.

**Mortgaged plots:** 20% of a scheme's plots (Pledged to LDA as security for development work. Under rule 27 the developer can't sell them until LDA releases them. LDA tells buyers to get the list of mortgaged plot numbers and blocks before paying.)

## What is on the LDA illegal societies list for 2026?

The illegal list holds **383 schemes**. All the records carry the date 29 May 2026, so that is the latest version on the site as of October 2026. LDA groups them by planning directorate:

| LDA directorate | Schemes |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Planning-IV | 202 |
| Metropolitan Planning-III | 56 |
| Metropolitan Planning-I | 51 |
| Metropolitan Planning-V | 47 |
| Metropolitan Planning-II | 27 |

197 of the 383 entries have no location, only a name. If a name matches, ask LDA which scheme it means before you decide either way.

LDA keeps acting on these schemes. On 14 April 2026 its teams demolished offices, walls, gates and roads at 10 illegal schemes, The News reported. On 13 July 2026 ProPakistani, quoting an LDA spokesperson, reported action against 14 more, including Al Kabir Garden, Ayan City and Canal View Farms.

## Can a society be on both lists?

Yes. On 13 October 2026, three names appear on both: **Nasheman-e-Bahria** (technically approved, 145.5 kanals, Khanoo Harni; and on the illegal list as "Nashaman-e-Bahria", Mouza Khano Herni, off Ferozpur Road), **Grand Avenue** and **Bilal Town**. LDA's pages don't explain why.

The illegal entry can be an extension, another phase or a different scheme with the same name, and the list doesn't say which. That is why the mauza and block matter more than the name.

## Which of the societies we review are on the lists?

We searched both lists for every Lahore society we review. This table copies LDA's entries; it is not our judgement. For our full assessment, open the review.

| Society | On LDA's approved list (13 Oct 2026) | On LDA's illegal list (29 May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| [Lake City](/property/lahore/lake-city-lahore/) | Bella Vista (partial revision), finally approved, 9,126.03 kanals; Bella Verde, approved, 6,746.04 kanals; "approval of unapproved pockets", 392.51 kanals, no stage | No entry |
| [Etihad Town](/property/lahore/etihad-town-lahore/) | Housing scheme, finally approved, 2,200.38 kanals (3 Dec 2024); Phase-II, Premier Enclave and Phase IV, technically approved | No entry |
| [Central Park](/property/compare/bahria-nasheman-vs-central-park/) | Phase-II, final approval 24 Sep 2021; Phase-II (revised), approved 16 Oct 2024; Phase-III, approved 7 Mar 2023 | No entry |
| [Bahria Town Lahore](/property/lahore/bahria-town-lahore/) | Sector A, B, C, finally approved, 14,243.2 kanals; Sector-D, finally approved, 2,009.22 kanals | Golf View Residencia (Bahria Town), Mouza Tukra Alam Shah |
| [Bahria Orchard](/property/lahore/bahria-orchard/) | Phase-I, "approved by TMA in 2009", 3,737.55 kanals | Phase-II, Phase-II Extension (Ph-V), Sector G, Sector H, Phase-IV |
| [Bahria Nasheman](/property/compare/bahria-nasheman-vs-central-park/) | Nasheman-e-Bahria, technically approved, 145.5 kanals | Nashaman-e-Bahria, Mouza Khano Herni |
| [Al Kabir Town](/property/lahore/al-kabir-town-lahore/) | Al-Kabir Town, Janjaty, finally approved, 239.85 kanals | Al-Kabir Down Town; Al-Kabir Apartment Homes (Tarogil); Alkabir Town (Umar Block Project) |
| [Park View City](/property/lahore/park-view-city-lahore/) | No entry under that name | No entry |

[LDA Avenue-I](/property/compare/lda-city-vs-lda-avenue/) is on LDA's own schemes list. LDA City is not on the approved list or the LDA schemes list under that name; see our [LDA City review](/property/lahore/lda-city-lahore/). [DHA Lahore](/property/lahore/dha-lahore/) has no entry on the approved or illegal list.

**Some of our reviews used older copies:** Our reviews of Bahria Nasheman, Al Kabir Town and Bahria Town Lahore were written from press copies of LDA's lists. For those schemes the official entries above differ from the copies. Where they differ, follow LDA's own pages.

## Does LDA approve societies outside Lahore district?

LDA's power over private schemes in Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib has moved back and forth. In February 2024 the Punjab government told those districts to hand their housing scheme records to LDA, ProPakistani reported, after the caretaker cabinet gave LDA approval powers for Lahore division on 10 January 2024. None of the 400 approved entries names those districts. For a scheme there, ask LDA in writing.

## What else should I check before buying?

LDA approval covers the scheme. It does not prove that the person selling you a plot owns it. For land outside a society, get a [fard](/property/guides/fard-online-punjab/). For a society plot, check the transfer in the society's records and see [property transfer in Punjab](/property/guides/property-transfer-punjab/). Budget for the [taxes on buying and selling property](/property/guides/tax-on-property-sale-pakistan/), and if you are abroad, read [buying property as an overseas Pakistani](/property/guides/overseas-pakistani-property/).

More guides: [Lahore society reviews](/property/lahore/), [society comparisons](/property/compare/), [marla to square feet](/property/tools/marla-to-square-feet/), [home loans in Pakistan](/money/guides/home-loan-pakistan/).

## Questions people ask

### How can I check if a society is LDA approved online?

Open lda.gop.pk/approved-schemes and type the scheme name. Check the mauza, approved blocks and approval stage, then search lda.gop.pk/illegal-schemes for the same name. Both are free.

### How many societies are LDA approved in Lahore?

LDA's approved-schemes page listed 400 private schemes on 13 October 2026. LDA's own 19 schemes, such as LDA Avenue-I, are on a separate page.

### What is the LDA illegal societies list for 2026?

LDA's illegal-schemes page lists 383 schemes declared illegal; the records are dated 29 May 2026. You can search it by name at lda.gop.pk/illegal-schemes.

### What is the difference between technical and final approval?

Technical approval clears the layout plan. Final approval comes after the developer pays fees, mortgages 20% of plots to LDA, posts a bank guarantee and gets services designs approved. Since June 2020 the rules allow plot sales once the fees are paid and the transfer and mortgage deeds are recorded.

### Is there an LDA approved societies list PDF?

LDA publishes both lists as searchable web pages on lda.gop.pk; we found no official PDF of the full list. PDFs shared online may be copies, so check the live page for the current entry.

## Sources

- [Approved schemes](https://lda.gop.pk/approved-schemes), Lahore Development Authority (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [List of schemes declared illegal by LDA](https://lda.gop.pk/illegal-schemes), Lahore Development Authority (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [Regular (LDA) schemes](https://lda.gop.pk/regular-schemes), Lahore Development Authority (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [LDA Private Housing Schemes Rules 2014, amended to 11 June 2020 (Internet Archive copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250109143943/https://lda.gop.pk/website/images/LDA_PHS_Rules_2014_updated.pdf), Lahore Development Authority (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [LDA Takes Action Against 14 Illegal Housing Schemes](https://propakistani.pk/2026/07/13/lda-takes-action-against-14-illegal-housing-schemes/), ProPakistani (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [Structures of 10 illegal schemes demolished](https://www.thenews.pk/print/1410174-structures-of-10-illegal-schemes-demolished), The News (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [Lahore Development Authority gets back massive powers](https://web.archive.org/web/20241205094409/https://propakistani.pk/2024/02/28/lahore-development-authority-gets-back-massive-powers/), ProPakistani (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [LDA warns people against buying property files; shares safety check on purchase of plots](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-warning-against-buying-property-files.html), Zameen News (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [LDA issues public advisory to avoid property scams](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-advisory-property-scams.html), Zameen News (accessed 13 Oct 2026)
- [LDA allots QR codes to approved housing schemes of LHR District](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-qr-codes-housing-schemes-lhr.html), Zameen News (accessed 13 Oct 2026)