Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Bilal Yaseen has described high-rise construction and vertical urban development as essential for meeting Pakistan’s growing housing needs.
He said the availability of land in major cities was shrinking rapidly, making planned vertical expansion necessary to accommodate increasing populations and use existing infrastructure more efficiently.
The minister expressed these views during a live podcast session at the Real Estate CEOs Conference organised by Alif Holdings. According to the organisers, it was the first conference of its kind in Pakistan to feature a serving provincial housing minister in a direct discussion with senior real estate executives.
The event brought together policymakers, leading property developers, investors, business leaders and media representatives to discuss the future of Pakistan’s housing and real estate sectors.
The interactive session was moderated by senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan. Television anchors Waseem Badami and Shahzeb Iqbal also attended the conference, along with senior executives and representatives from the real estate industry.
Discussions focused on housing policy, urban planning, regulatory reforms, the investment environment, vertical development and cooperation between the government and private sector.
Bilal Yaseen said rapid urbanisation and growing pressure on available land had made vertical development a necessity rather than an optional approach.
He said properly planned high-rise projects could help prevent uncontrolled urban expansion, make better use of valuable land and maximise the benefits of existing roads, utilities and public infrastructure.
According to the minister, the government wants to encourage responsible projects that comply with modern construction, safety and urban planning standards while contributing to organised city development.
He also emphasised the importance of regular engagement between government institutions and private property developers.
The minister said policies developed through consultation with industry stakeholders could improve investor confidence and support sustainable growth in the real estate and housing sectors.
Alif Holdings Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Saljouk said meaningful dialogue between policymakers and industry representatives was important for the long-term development of Pakistan’s property sector.
He said real estate was a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy and its future depended on constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Ahmed Saljouk said the conference was organised to create a platform where industry leaders, government officials and media representatives could exchange ideas, identify major challenges and propose practical solutions.
He said Alif Holdings would continue to organise similar forums to encourage informed discussion and support sustainable development in Pakistan’s real estate industry.
Participants welcomed the conference and called for greater consistency in government policies, improved regulatory transparency and stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors.
They said predictable policies, simpler approval processes and modern urban planning could support the safe development of high-rise buildings, increase the supply of housing and improve the confidence of both local and international investors in Pakistan’s property market.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Ring Road Authority has announced a comprehensive set of infrastructure, traffic management and administrative reforms for the Lahore Ring Road, including the installation of solar powered lights, the introduction of an automated electronic challan system and the phased rehabilitation of neglected service lanes.
Punjab Ring Road Authority Chairperson Safiullah Gondal said a detailed plan had been prepared to reconstruct and upgrade service lanes along the Ring Road that had remained in poor condition for several years. The rehabilitation work will be carried out in phases to improve road safety, reduce inconvenience for motorists and provide better access to commercial and residential areas located near the corridor.
According to the authority, the project will focus on repairing damaged sections, improving road surfaces and enhancing the overall condition of service lanes used by local traffic. Officials believe the initiative will help reduce traffic hazards and improve the daily travel experience for thousands of commuters.
The authority has also launched a revenue recovery drive targeting businesses that are using Ring Road service lanes for commercial purposes without paying the required no objection certificate fees.
Gondal said the authority had set a target of collecting approximately Rs 400 million in outstanding and applicable NOC fees from such commercial establishments. The recovered amount will be spent on improvement, maintenance and development projects along the Lahore Ring Road.
As part of its energy efficiency programme, the authority has also developed a plan to gradually convert all conventional streetlights on the Ring Road to solar power. The transition will be completed in stages and is expected to significantly reduce electricity costs while promoting a more environmentally sustainable lighting system.
Officials said solar lighting would also improve the reliability of street illumination, particularly during power outages, and contribute to safer nighttime travel.
In another major reform, the authority has decided to upgrade policing, surveillance and traffic enforcement on the Lahore Ring Road in line with the operational model of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
Under the proposed automated system, traffic movement will be monitored continuously through modern surveillance cameras. The cameras will automatically detect violations such as speeding, lane indiscipline and other breaches of traffic regulations.
An electronic challan system will also be introduced to ensure faster, more transparent and technology based enforcement. Violators will be identified through the surveillance network and issued electronic fines without relying entirely on manual checking.
The Ring Road Police will coordinate with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority for technical support, system integration and the use of modern monitoring tools. The collaboration is expected to improve compliance with traffic laws, reduce dangerous driving and create a safer environment for motorists.
Gondal said the authority was committed to strengthening its revenue collection system through technology, transparency and administrative reforms. He added that improved financial management would enable the authority to invest more resources in maintenance, road safety and public convenience.
He said all available resources would be used to upgrade the Lahore Ring Road and provide motorists with travel facilities that meet international standards.
The planned reforms are expected to modernize the management of one of Lahore’s busiest transport corridors while improving safety, reducing energy costs and strengthening the authority’s financial sustainability.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has prepared a policy framework to use the province’s nearly 40,000 kilometre canal network for the generation of affordable and environmentally friendly electricity.
Under the proposed plan, small hydropower projects will be established along canals to provide reliable electricity to rural and semi urban communities while reducing their dependence on expensive conventional power.
The Punjab Energy Department has finalised the Guidelines for Small Hydropower Projects for Punjab Community Ecosystems 2026. The guidelines are expected to be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval.
According to the policy documents, the natural flow and pressure of canal water will be used to generate electricity. Small power plants could be installed at canal falls, water drops and regulators where suitable hydraulic energy is available.
Officials said the projects would not require the construction of new dams or large water reservoirs. Existing canal infrastructure would be used to produce renewable electricity close to the communities where it is needed.
The proposed framework also recommends a tariff determined by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, a one window approval system and improved coordination among provincial departments responsible for canals, energy and local administration.
Under the proposed arrangement, a company or organisation developing a small hydropower project would operate it for an initial period of three years. The project could then be transferred to the local community for operation and management.
The community based model is intended to involve local residents in the ownership, maintenance and distribution of electricity generated through the projects.
Punjab has one of the world’s largest connected irrigation networks, but much of the natural energy available at canal falls and regulators has remained unused.
The Energy Department believes that small canal based power projects could improve electricity supply in remote areas, reduce the impact of prolonged power cuts and support agricultural consumers and small businesses.
Implementation of the policy could also increase Punjab’s share of renewable energy, reduce electricity transmission losses and provide rural communities with a lower cost alternative to conventional grid power.