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

URL: https://which.pk/property/lahore/lda-city-lahore/
Author: Ahtisham Imtiaz
Updated: 7 Oct 2026

## Summary

LDA City, off Ferozepur Road, is the Lahore Development Authority's own scheme, so approval isn't the issue; land is. In 2018 the Supreme Court heard that about 9,000 files had been sold beyond the land available, and acquisition was still going on in October 2026. More than 6,500 plots have had possession since December 2023. 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. Utilities aren't confirmed by block.

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.

**A file is not a plot:** Four ballots (2019 to 2023) turned about 15,000 files into plot numbers. We found no source on how many files remain unballoted, but "fresh" files were still being advertised in October 2026. LDA itself has warned buyers about property files. Buy a balloted plot in a block with possession.

## Has possession been given?

In stages, in Jinnah Sector:

| Date | Blocks |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | C (1,500+ plots) |
| February 2024 | F (740+ plots) |
| October 2024 | B, D, E |
| September 2025 | A1, B1, H, L (2,800+ plots) |

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:

| Size | File | Plot |
|---|---|---|
| 5 marla | Rs 31 lakh | Rs 58 lakh |
| 10 marla | Rs 53 lakh | Rs 1.05 crore |

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](/property/compare/bahria-nasheman-vs-central-park/). Compare it with LDA's older scheme in [LDA City vs LDA Avenue-I](/property/compare/lda-city-vs-lda-avenue/), or see all [Lahore reviews](/property/lahore/).

## LDA City: facts and scorecard

- Approval: LDA approved
- 5 marla plot: Rs 53.93 lakh
- Possession: Partly given
- Our score: 4.9/10

- Legal status: 6/10 (LDA's own scheme, but files were oversold against land (Supreme Court, 2018) and land acquisition was still under way in 2026.)
- Possession & development: 5/10 (6,500+ plots handed over since Dec 2023; unballoted files and Iqbal Sector have no date.)
- Price & appreciation: 6/10 (5 marla asking average roughly doubled from Jan 2025 to Sep 2026, but the index mixes files and plots and was flat for years before.)
- Utilities: 3/10 (Only 2021 approvals and orders; no confirmation of gas, water or power by block.)
- Developer track record: 4/10 (LDA has delivered plots years late; a partner's head fled abroad (2018) and NAB and anti-corruption cases touched the project.)
- Location: 4/10 (About 28 km by road from both Thokar Niaz Baig and the GPO, off Ferozepur Road.)
- Resale liquidity: 6/10 (1,319 listings on Zameen (Oct 2026), including 157 files that trade at about half the price of plots.)

**Suits:** Buyers who want a government-run scheme and buy a balloted plot in a block that already has possession.

**Avoid if:** You're buying an unballoted 'fresh' file, or need utilities in place now.

**Main risks:** Files were oversold against land; acquisition still under way in 2026. Unballoted files have no plot or possession date. Utilities unconfirmed by block. Prices doubled in 20 months; part of that may be a shift from files to plots in listings.

## Questions people ask

### Is LDA City approved by LDA?

It's LDA's own scheme, developed with private partners who supplied land in return for files, so it doesn't appear on LDA's list of approved private societies. The risk is land shortfall for files, not approval.

### What is LDA City's possession status?

Possession began in Jinnah Sector C in December 2023, followed by F (February 2024), B, D and E (October 2024) and A1, B1, H and L (September 2025): more than 6,500 plots, according to Punjab's housing minister. Unballoted files and Iqbal Sector have no possession date.

### What are LDA City file rates today?

On 7 October 2026, the median asking price of file listings on Zameen was about Rs 31 lakh for 5 marla and Rs 53 lakh for 10 marla, roughly half the price of plots with numbers.

### Is LDA City a good investment?

Prices rose fast in 2025-26, but the scheme carries real risks: files sold beyond land, acquisition still under way, and unconfirmed utilities. A balloted plot in a block with possession is far safer than an unballoted file.

## Sources

- [LDA-City affectees: apex court asks officials to submit compensation plan in 10 days](https://www.dawn.com/news/1454368), Dawn (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA City Phase I: 90% land acquired by the authority](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-city-phase-i-90-land-acquired-by-the-authority.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Zameen.com gets exclusive rights to sell LDA City files](https://www.zameen.com/news/zameen-com-gets-exclusive-rights-to-sell-lda-city-files.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Fourth ballot of LDA City files held](https://www.zameen.com/news/ballot-lda-city-files.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA to give possession of Jinnah Sector C Block on Saturday](https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/lda-to-give-possession-of-jinnah-sector-c-block-on-saturday/), APP (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA City distributes 6,500 plot letters to allottees of 4 blocks](https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/lda-city-distributes-6500-plot-letters-to-allottees-of-4-blocks/), APP (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [DC reviews one-window compensation facility for LDA City affected landowners](https://www.app.com.pk/punjab/dc-reviews-one-window-compensation-facility-for-lda-city-affected-landowners/), APP (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA reviews development roadmap, land acquisition progress for LDA City](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-reviews-discusses-developments.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA City: allottees to face recovery of development charges](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-city-allottees-charged.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA City to get electricity soon](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-city-to-get-electricity-soon.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [DG visits LDA City](https://www.app.com.pk/punjab/dg-visits-lda-city/), APP (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [LDA warns people against buying property files](https://www.zameen.com/news/lda-warning-against-buying-property-files.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plot price index, LDA City, 5 marla](https://www.zameen.com/index/buy/residential_plots/lahore/lda-city-8375/5-marla/), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Plot files for sale in LDA City](https://www.zameen.com/Plot_Files/Lahore_LDA_Road_LDA_City-8375-1.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
- [Residential plots for sale in LDA City](https://www.zameen.com/Residential_Plots/Lahore_LDA_Road_LDA_City-8375-1.html), Zameen.com (accessed 7 Oct 2026)