Lake City Meadows: Will the Promises Turn Into Progress?

If you live in Lake City Meadows Lahore or own a plot, you probably felt a wave of hope earlier this year.

When Lake City officially took over the old State Life Housing Society in January 2025, it felt like a fresh start after years of slow progress and endless delays.

The promises were big – upgraded infrastructure, developed blocks, and a plan to finally bring the place closer to Lake City’s flagship community.

On paper, it all sounded great. But as weeks turned into months, that hope started fading.

Now, residents are asking the same question: where’s the progress?

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what was promised, what’s actually happening, and what people are still waiting for.

Let’s dive in.

The Immediate Positives After the Takeover

When Lake City stepped in, the mood across the community felt lighter and people started to talk.

Property prices rose quickly – even in the undeveloped areas. 

A 5 marla plot in G1 Block, for example, jumped from 38 lac to over 50 lac within weeks. 

After years of waiting, residents finally felt hopeful again. And why not? 

Lake City Lahore is known for a premium lifestyle. Naturally, people assumed those same standards were on their way to Lake City Meadows.

But now, four months into the merger, the buzz is starting to fade. The hope is still there, but it’s slowly being replaced by a familiar feeling: uncertainty.

What’s Happening on the Ground?

Here’s the tough truth: not much.

It’s been four months since the merger was finalized. That’s enough time to at least kick off visible progress – maybe a road upgrade here, a fence there, some cleanup, anything.

But so far, nothing major has happened.

Before we jump to the promises, let’s talk about a few basic issues Lake City Meadows has inherited:

1. Water and Utilities

In many blocks, the water supply is unreliable. Residents regularly complain that water doesn’t reach their homes – sometimes for hours or even days.

The problem has worsened this summer. Demand is high, but supply keeps dropping. In several areas, water motors either don’t work or only run briefly, making daily life even more difficult.

Drinking water filter plants exist, but they’re in poor shape. Many are unhygienic, poorly maintained, or just broken.

None of them show when the filters were last changed, so residents are left wondering whether the water is safe to drink.

Taps are covered in green algae. The area around the plants is muddy, slippery, and smells unpleasant. It’s more than a maintenance issue now. It’s a health risk.

The management has linked the water shortage to the national water crisis in Pakistan, but most residents believe it’s really about poor planning and neglect. This video says it all.

2. Security Gaps

Security has been a long-standing concern in Lake City Meadows. Guards are present, but there’s no proper system. No coordination, no leadership – just uniforms without direction.

Thefts still happen. Burglaries, vehicle thefts, even incidents caught on home cameras often go without any follow-up.

When Lake City took over, they brought in a new team of guards. For a few days, it felt promising. But they quickly disappeared, and the old faces returned – fewer and just as ineffective.

Even mosques haven’t been spared. Someone recently stole water taps from Memhooda Jamil Mosque in A Block just before Fajr. The replacements were so poor that residents began to question if there was any budget at all.

The bigger issue is open access. Outsiders come in freely. Most boundaries are unfenced, and entrance barriers feel more symbolic than secure.

Near Rana Chowk, rickshaw drivers gather daily outside a girls’ school to gamble – right in front of the guards. It’s been happening for months.

There’s no mobile patrolling either. Unlike the original Lake City where security vehicles are visible, in Meadows, it’s rare to see even one.

And still, there’s no system to track domestic staff or service workers. No logs. No checks. Residents are left to manage safety on their own.

3. Public Spaces and Community Facilities

Lake City Meadows has very few parks, and most are poorly maintained. They often feel overcrowded, especially with people from nearby areas using them regularly.

For residents, this means less space to relax, broken benches, and hardly any clean spots to sit. There aren’t many play areas for kids either, leaving families with nowhere to spend time outdoors.

Take Central Park. It has a few fruit trees that could have been a small joy for residents, but trespassers often pick the fruit and damage the trees. It may seem like a small issue, but it shows the lack of care and control.

That same park once had birds and deer in small enclosures. Now, the cages are empty and rusting, and no one seems to know what happened to the animals.

Here are some photos of Central Park that highlight just how neglected the place has become:

Public toilet – central park

Wash basin – Central Park

Wash basin – Central Park

Public toilet – Central Park

Broken wall – Central Park

The commercial areas aren’t any better. There are no footpaths, no proper parking, and no planning. It’s no surprise that big food chains or stores aren’t interested.

Young people have been completely overlooked. There are no playgrounds, no sports grounds, no libraries – not even a small indoor space to enjoy. Kids end up playing on roadsides and empty plots.

In E Block, there’s only one ground where kids gather to play football. But the goalpost has been broken for ages. They’ve been using makeshift setups just to keep the game going. Despite several complaints, the management hasn’t done anything about it. Here’s how one of the kids described the situation. The face is blur due to privacy issues.

It says a lot about how much work is still needed to make the society feel truly livable.

4. Cleanliness and Lighting

Cleanliness remains a problem in Lake City Meadows. There are very few garbage bins, and the ones that exist are often full. 

Stray dogs make things worse by dragging trash across streets and green belts, leaving a mess right outside homes.

Lighting is just as poor. Many areas, including the main boulevard and commercial blocks, stay dark at night. 

Broken or missing streetlights make even short evening walks uncomfortable – especially for families and women.

Then there’s the electricity. Voltage fluctuations have been around for years, damaging appliances and adding stress to daily life. 

Even light rain or a bit of wind is enough to cause power cuts that last for hours.

5. No Medical Facility

Since the early days of the society, there’s never been a proper medical facility – not even a small clinic.

In emergencies, residents have to leave the society to get help, wasting valuable time.

This isn’t a new complaint. People have raised it again and again, but nothing has been done. It’s not a space issue. The land is there – what’s missing is the will.

There’s even a marked plot for a hospital on the main boulevard. Today, it’s just an empty lot with a rusted gate and piles of debris. 

A quiet reminder of a promise still waiting to be kept.

6. Stray Dogs: A Daily Risk

Stray dogs have become a serious concern in Lake City Meadows. They roam the streets freely, putting everyone at risk – especially children and the elderly.

There have been several cases of attacks right outside homes. Kids no longer feel safe playing outside, and families hesitate to take evening walks or even sit at their doorsteps.

In one recent case, a resident in C Block, Khawaja Babar Butt, was badly injured after being bitten. He tried to protect himself with a stick, but it wasn’t enough.

Residents say they’ve raised the issue many times, but nothing has changed. 

Some recall that during the earlier State Life days, animal control teams would visit occasionally. 

Since Lake City took over, that effort has stopped.

The fear only grows at night, made worse by poor lighting and a lack of visible security.

7. Mosques in Neglect

In the main Lake City society, mosques are well maintained – from the grand Jamia mosque to the smaller sector ones. But that’s not the case in Lake City Meadows.

Take Mehmooda Jamil Mosque in A Block. Its water filter has been out of order for over a year, and the air conditioners barely work. Some are broken entirely. 

In the scorching heat, especially during packed Jumma prayers, it becomes extremely difficult for people to pray comfortably.

Despite repeated complaints from residents to both the current and previous management, the issues remain unresolved. 

A few local residents have stepped in to repair some ACs themselves, but that is only a short-term fix. The mosque needs a proper monthly budget to function smoothly.

The sound system is often out of order. The number of ACs is far too low for the space. Even basic things like regular cleaning and proper shoe racks are missing.

The newer mosque in Central Park faces similar problems. It has just one air conditioner, which is not enough for the crowd it draws. Like the others, it also lacks dedicated cleaning staff and proper upkeep.

Residents believe all mosques in Lake City Meadows should be equipped with solar panels. It would help run ACs, fans, and lights without worrying about high electricity bills. 

It is a practical step the management can take to show real care for these essential community spaces.

These pictures from Mehmooda Jamil Mosque show the visible signs of lack of maintenance.

Out of order AC

Out of order water cooler

Broken hanger

Desi soap for residents

Out of order tube light

Broken window

8. Phase 1 and Phase 2 Development: Still Waiting, Still Unclear

Despite all the promises, the biggest concern remains untouched. The blocks of G1, J, and FF in Phase 1, along with the entire Phase 2 area, are still barren. 

The land is deeply excavated and lifeless, giving no real sign of progress.

Yes, there are a few containers placed here and there. Some machinery is parked at the site. 

At first glance, it might look like work is about to begin. But residents who’ve been following closely say otherwise. 

According to insiders, the new project map is still waiting for government approval. That approval could take another three to four months – or more.

Phase 2 members, in particular, are feeling the pressure. Whether they live in Pakistan or abroad, they’re growing restless. 

Many of them have waited for years, and now with the Lake City name attached, they expected things to move faster.

To this day, there’s no clear communication. No balloting schedule. No official timeline. Not even an updated map for Lake City Meadows. Just silence.

Now that we’ve seen what problems Lake City Meadows has inherited, it’s time to revisit what Lake City actually promised when they took over.

What Lake City Promised

Let’s not forget – Lake City made some big promises when they took over the old State Life Society and rebranded it as Lake City Meadows.

These commitments weren’t just for show. They were meant to transform the area and finally deliver the kind of living experience residents had been waiting for.

People familiar with the matter have confirmed that Lake City pledged to invest at least Rs. 3 billion to uplift Phase 1 – even before starting development on the undeveloped land.

Here’s what they shared during an SGM event:

Phase 1 Commitments

• Gated access with surveillance: Install proper gates with digital monitoring to control who enters and leaves the society.
• 24/7 patrolling: Ensure round-the-clock security patrols to maintain a safe and visible presence.
• Boundary fencing and visitor control: Build boundary walls and introduce a registration system for all visitors and workers.
• Infrastructure upgrades to Lake City standards: Roads, drainage, and all core systems to be fully upgraded like in the main Lake City.
• Better utilities and public facilities: Improve sewerage, lighting, water filter plants, and refurbish existing mosques.
• Block-wise amenities and services: Build the promised medical center, club, society office, petrol pump, and food outlets.
• Resident support systems: Launch an on-call service model and online portal for complaints and service tracking.
• Free development for G1, J, and FF: Fully develop these blocks without asking residents for additional charges.

Phase 2 Commitments

• Develop 5,337 Kanal of land: Complete full infrastructure for this area including roads, plots, and public zones.
• Resized plots for existing members: Convert 14 Marla to 8 Marla and 7 Marla to 4 Marla plots due to land shortage.
• Fair payment plan for development: Charge Rs. 2 lac per Marla in 5 installments, starting after 20% road work is done.
• Modern electrification and grid station: Install underground wiring and a new grid station to handle electricity needs.
• Balloting after LDA plan approval: Assign plot numbers within 6–8 months of layout approval.
• File exchange after possession: Begin surrender of old files and issue new allotment letters once possession starts.

Missed Opportunities That Could Change Everything

Lake City still has a real chance to do more than just fix roads or clean up neglected spaces. It can reshape Lake City Meadows into a place that puts its people first.

That means looking beyond buildings and plots, and focusing on what truly makes a community feel like home. Residents aren’t asking for anything extraordinary. 

They just want the basics – the promises that were made from day one.

Here’s what they’re still waiting for:

• Clean drinking water and filter plants that actually work
• Guards who are present, gates that are functional, and entry that feels secure
• More green spaces, trees, and safe walkways
• Commercial areas that are properly planned and easy to use
• Parks and recreational spaces for children and youth
• A community center, indoor games, and quiet reading spots
• Working street lights that make the streets safe at night
• Events that bring residents together instead of inviting outsiders in
• Monthly updates and honest communication from management

These aren’t luxuries. They’re the building blocks of a community people are proud to live in. They’re what make families feel at ease, kids feel free, and neighbors feel connected.

And yes, there’s no reason Lake City Meadows can’t have its own solar energy plan. 

Using solar to power water pumps, lights, and shared infrastructure would not only reduce bills but also offer a long-term solution to the power issues that residents deal with regularly.

The potential is there. What’s missing is action.

The Way Forward

The residents of Lake City Meadows Lahore are still hopeful. But they are also watchful.

This is not just about real estate. It’s about families, children, and people who want a better place to live.

Lake City has a real chance to prove its name means something. If both management and residents work together, Lake City Meadows can become one of Lahore’s most respected and successful communities.

But hope needs action. And that action must begin now.

We’d love to hear from residents in the comments. And it would be great if the management also shared their side, so everyone stays informed about what’s really going on.