Park View City: From development to flooding and controversies

Park View City Lahore is a prominent residential society located at one of the most accessible points of the city. Originally developed on 765 kanals of land, the scheme has now expanded to cover over 10,000 kanals.

The project is spearheaded by Vision Group, a real estate and lifestyle development firm founded by Abdul Aleem Khan in 2012.

Background and origins

The housing society traces its roots to 2004, when a developer named Ammar Khan launched the River Edge Housing Society. In 2006, the project secured approval from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), covering approximately 765 kanals at the time.

In 2010, Vision Developers (a company owned by Aleem Khan) purchased River Edge and rebranded it as Park View Villas. By 2012, Vision Developers requested LDA to extend the project under the Revised Master Plan of the Authority, which sparked regulatory disputes that continue to this day.

Flooding crisis

Recent flooding in the Ravi River has severely impacted Park View City. Water overflow reportedly submerged parts of the society, prompting urgent evacuations.

Developers claim to have built a protective embankment and said there is “no danger at all.” Residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Several residents reported that water entered two uninhabited blocks on Wednesday night, followed by more blocks late Thursday night. Many families shifted to relatives’ homes or relief camps after locking their houses.

Hundreds of videos showing floodwater inside Park View City are circulating widely online.

NAB probe and closure

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had earlier investigated Aleem Khan and Vision Developers over alleged irregularities in Park View projects:

Read more: Imran Khan's old interview on Aleem Khan's Park View City allotment surfaces online

Accusations included illegal occupation of public passages, unauthorized extension of River Edge under the name of Park View Villas Lahore, and expansion of Park View Islamabad without approval.

The LDA had objected, stating that the land lies within the Ravi riverbed, making it unsafe for residential development. They noted it was agricultural land, unsuitable for urban use.

Despite refusals, NAB alleged that plots were still sold in the unapproved phases.

Eventually, based on recommendations of the NAB executive board, the investigation was terminated under Section 31-B(1) of the NAA 2022.

Imran Khan’s Statement

The flooding controversy has revived an old interview of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, which is now circulating online.

In the clip, Imran Khan claimed that Aleem Khan illegally acquired 300 kanals in the Ravi River belt and sought to legalize it.

“He was trying to legalize the land, just like the Sharifs did while in power, but I refused,” Imran said in the interview.

The video resurfaced amid criticism of Park View City’s location and vulnerability after the latest floods.