Galiyat Landslide Sajjan Gali Homes at Risk 2026

A landslide on Sajjan Gali Road in Galiyat has put several houses and structures at risk, with residents alleging the situation stems from negligence by the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and unplanned construction on the area's natural slopes, according to The Express Tribune, published 17 August 2026.

What's Happening on the Ground

Several houses have come under serious threat, while continued ground subsidence around and beneath the multi-storey "Sareen Heights" building has caused fear among residents of the adjoining area. According to residents, the ground at the affected site continues to move, with the landslide process showing no sign of stopping and leaving several families in severe fear. Residents of the affected houses say that if immediate safety measures aren't taken, further land movement could damage homes and put human lives at risk.

What Residents Are Alleging — and What Hasn't Been Established

Residents say multi-storey and unplanned construction has continued in Galiyat without adequate consideration for natural slopes and the surrounding environment, which they argue has affected the natural balance of mountain slopes and increased landslide risk during monsoon rains. They allege that relevant institutions had a clear responsibility to approve construction projects and monitor construction activity in Galiyat, but that a failure to take timely action against illegal and rule-violating construction made the current situation increasingly serious. It's important to note these are resident allegations reported by Tribune, not findings that have been independently established or confirmed by GDA or any technical inquiry at this stage.

What Residents Are Demanding

Affected residents have called on GDA and the district administration to immediately conduct a technical inspection of the affected site, determine the causes of the dangerous construction and land subsidence, take action against illegal construction, and implement emergency measures to protect families currently at risk. More broadly, the local population has urged authorities to ensure strict implementation of laws governing construction project approval, map scrutiny, and construction on natural slopes across Galiyat, arguing this is necessary to protect both the tourist area's natural environment and the safety of residents.

This Comes Despite Active GDA Enforcement Efforts in 2026

This landslide is notable partly because it follows a year of visible GDA enforcement activity against illegal construction in the region — raising the residents' underlying question of whether that enforcement has been sufficient. In July 2026, KP's Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism, Malik Adil Iqbal, directed authorities to take immediate action against illegal construction in Galiyat, warning that construction remained prohibited under court directives and that restrictions would be enforced without exception. In June, GDA — acting on directives from Director General Muhammad Fawad in compliance with orders from the Abbottabad Bench of the High Court — carried out a major operation against illegal construction in Nathia Gali, demolishing an illegal structure and sealing several unauthorised cabins. And in April, GDA issued notices to 50 buildings violating construction laws across its jurisdiction as part of a wider campaign to restore the region's tourist spots, alongside a new master plan formulated under the Building Control Act 2016.

GDA's Legal Mandate

GDA operates under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Galiyat Development Authority Act, 2016, which grants it authority over urban planning, construction approval, and environmental regulation across the Galiyat region, including specific penalty provisions for construction violations, encroachment, and illegal housing schemes. Under the Galiyat Development Authority (Building Control) Rules, building plans must be formally sanctioned by GDA, are valid for a fixed two-year period, and require certification from a registered architect confirming a structure is "structurally stable" — a requirement directly relevant to residents' concerns about Sareen Heights and similar multi-storey construction in the area.

What This Means for Property Buyers and Owners in Galiyat

For anyone who owns property near Sajjan Gali Road or is considering a purchase in Galiyat, this incident is a direct reminder that hillside construction carries structural risks that go beyond standard title and ownership verification. Before purchasing property in Galiyat or similar hill-station terrain, buyers should specifically ask for evidence of GDA-sanctioned building plans, architect certification of structural stability, and any available slope-stability or geotechnical assessment for the specific plot — not just confirmation that a structure exists or is currently occupied. Existing property owners in the vicinity of the affected site should treat the residents' calls for a technical inspection as directly relevant to their own risk exposure, and should monitor GDA's response to these demands closely, given the authority's demonstrated willingness to act against violations elsewhere in Galiyat this year.

---

Sources

1. The Express Tribune — "Landslide puts homes at risk", 17 Aug 2026: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624287/landslide-puts-homes-at-risk
2. The Nation — "Crackdown ordered on illegal construction in Galiyat", 12 Jul 2026: https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Jul-2026/crackdown-ordered-illegal-construction-galiyat
3. Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) — "Illegal construction demolished in Nathia Gali in GDA crackdown", 17 Jun 2026: https://www.app.com.pk/kp/illegal-construction-demolished-in-nathia-gali-in-gda-crackdown-2/
4. PPI News Agency — "Action taken against illegal constructions under the Galiyat restoration project": https://ppinewsagency.com/action-taken-against-illegal-constructions-under-the-galiyat-restoration-project/
5. Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Galiyat Development Authority Act, 2016 (official legal text): https://kpcode.kp.gov.pk/uploads/THE_KHYBER_PAKHTUNKHWA_GALIYAT_DEVELOPMENT_AUTHORITY_ACT_2016.pdf
6. Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Galiyat Development Authority (Building Control) Rules, 2012 (official legal text): https://kpcode.kp.gov.pk/uploads/galyath_Development_Authourity_(Building_control)_Rules,_2012.pdf