Rawalpindi | Gujjar Khan (Digital Post) : RDA warns advertising and marketing agencies against marketing illegal housing schemes

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has warned of legal action against the advertising and marketing agencies involved in the marketing of illegal private housing schemes in the Rawalpindi district. The RDA has also advised the public to demand certified true copies of the relevant documents approved by the RDA from advertising agencies and marketing companies before buying any plot.

In a notice issued to all advertising and marketing agencies engaged in the marketing of private housing schemes in Rawalpindi district, the RDA has directed them to get the RDA verified documents regarding the approval of any housing society from the management of the concerned housing society before making any agreement launching its advertisement campaign. The RDA has also urged them to demand verified documents that would be required to check the legality of any housing scheme.
The required documents before launching any advertisement campaign would comprise, an approval letter with the post date and signature of the officer along with designation; an approved map of the scheme bearing the signature of authorized officers, and the drawing number of the map and details of the mortgaged plots along with the newspaper advertisement in which the public is warned not to buy those plots
The RDA has further directed all marketing agencies to get a certified statement of these documents from the RDA’s Constituent Division or the district government department.
The notice clarifies that the RDA reserves the right to take legal action against any advertising agency that fails to comply with these instructions.
The notice is also an alert for advertising and marketing agencies to remove the advertising material of illegal housing societies from their respective social and digital media platforms.
The RDA has also advised the public to demand copies of required documents and check the verification of the relevant documents from the advertising agencies and marketing companies before buying any plot. The buyer can even check the legality of any housing society with the concerned department of RDA before purchasing a plot in any housing scheme. The RDA will not be held liable for any financial losses suffered by the public if they do not check the legality of the housing scheme before purchasing a plot.

The public can submit complaints to the Director General RDA if they have any difficulty in verifying the legality of a housing scheme.
The public is also advised to be vigilant and to do their own research before purchasing a plot in any housing scheme. They should check the legality of the scheme with the RDA and should also get a certified statement of the required documents from the RDA.