Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met with a delegation from leading Chinese companies, including Kunlun Group and Sundar Green Group, to discuss industrial cooperation and investment opportunities.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to jointly establish a solar panel manufacturing facility in Lahore through a partnership between Sundar Green Group and Kunlun Group. Additionally, Kunlun Group agreed to provide advanced vocational and industrial training in China to 50,000 Pakistani students.
A briefing informed that, in principle, approval has also been granted for the development of a 1,000 acre industrial estate in Lahore under mutual collaboration. The meeting also reviewed the potential transfer of technology for producing petrochemical products from coal in Punjab.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz assured full support and facilitation to both Chinese and local investors, stating that the government believes in supporting businessmen rather than running businesses itself. She added that reforms have been a key focus over the past two years, and Punjab has now become one of the most attractive provinces for investment.
She further noted that Pakistan has a vast solar energy market, and the shift toward solar power is accelerating due to the ongoing energy crisis. According to the briefing, the project is expected to create around 18,000 job opportunities in Punjab.
The delegation included CEO of Inner Mongolia Coal Mine Wang Jin Hanan Sheng, Investment Company CEO Zhao Gangbo, Sundar Green Group Chairman Muhammad Abid, CEO Azeem Iftikhar, Director Rana Faisal Hayat, and OSS CEO Danish Ahmad.

Lahore: ReNews Pakistan
The district administration in Lahore has launched a strict crackdown against violations of business operating hours, sealing more than 60 shops and restaurants. The actions were carried out on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Ali Ejaz, who has ordered that markets close at 8 PM, while restaurants, medical stores, and marriage halls must shut by 10 PM.
According to the administration, all shops in Liberty Market were found closed after 8 PM. However, violations in other areas led to immediate action. More than 22 outlets were sealed in Cantt, 13 in Allama Iqbal Town, 6 well-known cafés and restaurants in Model Town, and 10 shops in City Tehsil.
Deputy Commissioner Ali Ejaz emphasized that closure of markets and bazaars at the prescribed time must be ensured at all costs. He stated that energy conservation is a national responsibility and urged the business community to fully cooperate in this regard.
The district administration has indicated that operations against violators will continue in the future.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A meeting chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique reviewed the progress of the Model Villages Program in Punjab. On the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the proposal to expand the program’s scope to 7,500 villages was considered.
Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, and the Secretary Coordination to the Chief Minister also attended the meeting, while CEO of Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company Khurram Parvez gave a detailed briefing.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress, the minister stated that the estimated cost for Phase One of the Model Villages Program stands at Rs555 billion. He added that it is expected that Rs150 billion will be allocated for the initiative in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
The minister directed PRMSC to complete Phase One within 18 months, emphasizing that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif aims to ensure the provision of all basic facilities in rural areas similar to urban centers.
The Punjab government is also striving to include at least 50 villages from each provincial constituency in the first phase. He further noted that the “Model Villages” initiative is part of the broader “Sohna Punjab” program envisioned by Maryam Nawaz Sharif.