Punjab Orders Crackdown on Illegal Ramps and Road Obstructions Across Major Cities

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered authorities to remove illegal ramps built outside houses that obstruct public roads, while also directing the installation of roadside drain covers made from recycled plastic. The orders were issued during a meeting reviewing Own-Source Revenue (OSR) development projects in the Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions, covering Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar and Rajanpur. The meeting also reviewed road, drainage and sewerage improvements as part of a wider infrastructure push across the districts.

Punjab CM Orders Wider Action to Clear Roads and Remove Public-Space Obstructions

Alongside the ramp removal directive, the chief minister ordered that city names be displayed on landscaped plots at entry points to urban areas. She also approved a ban on placing concrete flowerpots along roads, with both measures aimed at reducing encroachments and keeping public rights-of-way clear. In addition, she directed authorities to install electronic traffic signals on congested roads in Bhakkar and other cities across the region.

Why It Matters for Property Owners

Illegal ramps outside homes and shops are a common sight in Punjab's cities, often built without approval to ease vehicle access but frequently encroaching on footpaths and narrowing roads in the process. A provincial directive targeting these structures means property owners particularly those with commercial frontage or houses directly on main roads could see enforcement action requiring them to remove unauthorised ramps at their own cost. Owners planning ramps, driveways or roadside modifications going forward should expect closer scrutiny from local authorities as this directive is implemented.

The Development Package Behind the Directive

The same meeting approved a substantial slate of infrastructure projects: eight schemes for Sargodha district, six each for Khushab and Bhakkar, and six for Rajanpur, with the chief minister asking for additional projects to be added for Rajanpur city and its surrounding tehsils. Approved works in Sargodha city include Dairy Road, Azad Road, Urdu Bazaar Road, Pilot Chowk and the Khayyam Chowk Overhead Bridge. Sewerage and drainage schemes for the rural areas of Rojhan, Kot Mithan, Jampur and Dajal were also approved on a priority basis.

What This Means for Residents and Property Owners Going Forward

For residents, homeowners and property owners in the affected districts, the latest directives point to two important developments happening at the same time: increased infrastructure investment and stricter enforcement against roadside encroachments and unauthorised structures. Road rehabilitation, drainage improvements, sewerage projects and traffic-management measures could improve connectivity and accessibility in areas receiving upgrades, potentially making nearby locations more attractive to residents, businesses and property buyers over time.

At the same time, property owners should not assume that existing ramps, platforms, flowerpots or other structures extending into public roads or rights-of-way will be allowed to remain simply because they have been in place for years. The chief minister’s directive indicates that authorities are being asked to take a more active approach toward clearing such obstructions and improving the use of public spaces.

For anyone with an existing ramp, boundary extension, encroachment or other roadside structure outside a residential or commercial property in Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar or Rajanpur, it would be sensible to check whether the structure complies with the applicable local rules and approvals. Property owners should also keep relevant permissions or documentation available where required, rather than waiting until enforcement activity reaches their street.

The broader message for the property market is that infrastructure development and enforcement are moving together. While upgraded roads, drainage and traffic systems can improve the overall environment around a property, tighter control over illegal structures may require owners to make changes to existing property access arrangements. Buyers considering property in these districts should therefore look beyond the house or plot itself and also assess road access, drainage, right-of-way issues and any visible encroachments before completing a purchase.

Sources

• Punjab Government / DGPR — September 1, 2026 — https://www.punjab.gov.pk/
• Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) — September 1, 2026 — https://www.app.com.pk/punjab/cm-reviews-own-source-revenue-projects-in-sargodha-dg-khan-divisions/
• The Express Tribune — September 2, 2026 — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627035/removal-of-illegal-house-ramps-ordered
• Radio Pakistan — September 1, 2026 — https://www.radio.gov.pk/