LDA City Lahore review: files vs plots, possession and land risk

LDA City is the Lahore Development Authority’s own scheme, so approval isn’t the risk; land is. In 2018 the Supreme Court heard that partners had sold about 9,000 files beyond the land available, and acquisition was still going on in October 2026. Since December 2023, more than 6,500 plots have had possession. A file without a plot number is a very different purchase: on 7 October 2026 a 5 marla file’s median asking price was about Rs 31 lakh, against Rs 58 lakh for a 5 marla plot.

Is LDA City legal?

Yes. It’s LDA’s own public-private scheme: private partners supplied land in return for files that LDA would turn into plots. That’s why it isn’t on LDA’s list of approved private societies.

The problem is how many files were sold. In December 2018 the Supreme Court heard that about 9,000 files had been sold beyond capacity, needing about 20,000 more kanals, and ordered plots or refunds plus action against defaulting partners. By September 2019 LDA had 12,311 of the 13,000 kanals needed for Phase I. In July to October 2026 land acquisition and compensation were still under way in Toor Warraich and Haloki.

Has possession been given?

In stages, in Jinnah Sector:

That’s more than 6,500 plots in total, according to Punjab’s housing minister in September 2025. Iqbal Sector and unballoted files have no possession date. Allottees also pay development charges, which LDA raised in 2022.

What does a plot cost now?

Zameen’s 5 marla index was nearly flat for years, about Rs 26.1 lakh in January 2025, then roughly doubled to about Rs 53.9 lakh by September 2026. The index mixes files and plots, so part of that jump may be more plots with possession being listed.

A 10 marla average went from about Rs 43.9 lakh to Rs 95.2 lakh over the same 20 months. On 7 October 2026, median asking prices on Zameen were:

One disclosure: Zameen won exclusive rights to sell LDA City files in 2019, and much of the news coverage comes from Zameen.

Gas, electricity and water

LDA approved an electricity supply plan and tendered underground wiring in 2021, and ordered gas supply completed the same year. We found no later confirmation, block by block, of gas, water or power. In June 2026 LDA’s director general said basic facilities had to be ensured for the residents already living there.

Who is behind it?

LDA, with private land partners (four were named in 2019). The project’s history includes a partner whose head fled abroad (reported by Dawn in 2018) and NAB and anti-corruption cases between 2015 and 2019. LDA allocated Rs 12.5 billion for LDA City development in its 2026-27 budget.

How easy is it to resell?

Zameen showed 1,319 listings on 7 October 2026: 1,154 residential plots and 157 files. Files and plots sell at very different prices, so check which you’re buying.

Where is it?

Off Ferozepur Road near Gajju Matta, between Ferozepur Road, Defence Road and the Ring Road’s southern loop. By road it’s about 28 km from both Thokar Niaz Baig and the GPO. Other Ferozepur Road options are compared in Bahria Nasheman vs Central Park. Compare it with LDA’s older scheme in LDA City vs LDA Avenue-I, or see all Lahore reviews.