LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has approved the establishment of the Asset Management Authority of Punjab (AMAP), a new autonomous institution that will oversee the identification, management, valuation and monetisation of government owned land and other public assets across the province. The initiative is aimed at improving governance, enhancing transparency, increasing provincial revenues and ensuring the efficient utilisation of state-owned assets. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who approved the creation of the authority as part of the government's broader reforms to modernise public asset management and unlock the economic potential of underutilised government properties. According to officials, AMAP will function as the province's central institution for all matters relating to government assets, including their identification, transfer, valuation, disposal, payments, marketing and long-term management. The authority will also develop a comprehensive database of provincial assets to ensure effective oversight and strategic planning. The new authority will place particular emphasis on identifying government owned land and properties with strong investment and privatisation potential. It will adopt multiple commercial and financing models, including long term leasing, rental agreements, public private partnerships (PPPs), joint ventures and other investment structures to maximise the economic value of public assets while ensuring transparency and accountability. During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant departments to increase provincial revenues by making better commercial use of public assets through carefully planned sale, lease and collateral financing mechanisms. She observed that Punjab had long lacked a dedicated institution responsible for managing its scattered public assets, resulting in inefficient utilisation and leaving many government properties vulnerable to illegal encroachments. She said the establishment of AMAP would bring all provincial assets under a single autonomous authority, enabling better protection, professional management and more effective decision making. She added that the new system would improve coordination among government departments while ensuring that public resources are utilised in a manner that delivers long-term economic benefits for the province. Officials informed the meeting that AMAP will operate under a governing board headed by the Chief Secretary of Punjab, while its day to day affairs will be managed by a Managing Director of BPS-20 rank. To strengthen institutional capacity and introduce modern asset management practices, qualified professionals from the private sector will also be inducted strictly on merit. The meeting was further informed that all major decisions relating to the transfer, valuation and management of provincial assets will remain subject to the approval of the Punjab Cabinet, ensuring institutional oversight and transparency in the authority's operations. The establishment of AMAP is expected to play a key role in strengthening Punjab's fiscal position by generating additional non-tax revenues, improving the protection of government assets, encouraging private investment and supporting sustainable economic development through more efficient management of public resources.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore High Court, during the hearing of a case, made strong observations about the role of the revenue authority, stating that arbitrary practices exist within the department and that a patwari can write multiple reports according to people’s wishes. The court observed that the revenue authority does not correct itself. Later, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court disposed of a petition against alleged interference in the possession of leased land in light of a report submitted by the CPO Gujranwala. During the hearing, the court remarked that the police must examine the matter only within the limits of their jurisdiction, while civil disputes fall within the domain of civil courts. The court made it clear that the Lahore High Court was not deciding the ownership of the property. Petitioner’s counsel Maqsood Butter argued that a civil judge had already issued a stay order in favour of the petitioner. He submitted that the petitioner had leased 84 acres of land in Nowshera Virkan from overseas Pakistani owners for 15 years, but local influential persons were allegedly trying to dispossess the petitioner through the police. The counsel further told the court that despite complaints, the police were allegedly supporting the influential individuals. He requested the court to restrain the police from interfering in the petitioner’s possession. In his report, CPO Gujranwala Dr. Sardar Ghiyas stated that the police had cancelled the case, written to the IG for action against the relevant DSP, and charge sheeted the concerned SHO. The court questioned under what law the FIR had been registered when the Lahore High Court had already granted a stay order. It also expressed displeasure over the DSP changing his statement and remarked that in what capacity the DSP had said that no one should enter the land. Subsequently, the court disposed of the petition in light of the report submitted by the CPO Gujranwala.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain, ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that record speed, high quality and transparency have been ensured in road construction and restoration projects across the province, resulting in the completion of 1,129 roads in just 75 days and setting a new national record for development work. A review meeting on development projects of the Communication and Works Department was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, where a detailed briefing was given on ongoing and completed road sector projects, utilization of development funds and schemes planned for the next financial year. The meeting was informed that major progress has been made in rural road infrastructure under the Chief Minister’s “Sohnay Pind, Sohnian Rahwan” programme. In only 75 days, 1,129 roads with a combined length of 1,795 kilometers were completed at a cost of Rs 30 billion. From April to July this year, a total road network of 6,000 kilometers was completed, while 32,000 roads have been constructed or restored during the Chief Minister’s two and a half years in office. According to the briefing, 99 percent utilization of development funds was ensured in the road sector. A total of Rs 125 billion has been allocated for the Chief Minister’s initiative, local roads programme and projects nearing completion. Under the local roads programme, 1,567 development schemes costing Rs 79 billion are being carried out, covering 3,400 kilometers of roads. The meeting was told that the field staff of the Communication and Works Department worked day and night in three shifts to complete several projects ahead of schedule. Effective planning in road restoration projects also resulted in historic savings of Rs 11 billion. The briefing further stated that the 93.5 kilometer Multan Vehari Dual Road, the 24 kilometer Faisalabad Chiniot Dual Road and the 13 kilometer Tourism Highway Dual Road have been completed. In addition, 77 percent work has been completed on 86 schemes under Phase One of the Road Restoration Programme, while 31 percent work has been completed on 41 schemes under Phase Two. All 124 flood affected roads have also been fully restored. The meeting approved the establishment of six new international standard service areas under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, expected to generate around Rs 500 million in annual revenue. The Chief Minister directed that all six service areas be made fully operational by December this year. She also ordered accelerated work on beautification of the Ring Road, restoration of the Northern Loop and improvement of entry and exit points on highways across Punjab. Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure proper lane marking on all highways in Punjab and to present a final completion timeline for all roads currently under construction across the province. The meeting was also informed that 42 new road construction schemes have been included in the new financial programme. Rs 17 billion has been approved for local roads and Rs 17.23 billion for the Chief Minister’s initiative. A total of 907 schemes, including Faisalabad Chiniot Phase Two under public private partnership, have also been approved. The meeting further decided to immediately construct and restore flood affected local roads and complete unfinished and underfunded road projects left by previous governments at a cost of Rs 14 billion. Funds worth Rs 51 billion have also been approved for the construction of new roads in Punjab. At the end of the meeting, the Communication and Works Department presented a commemorative souvenir to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The Chief Minister appreciated the department’s performance in completing projects within the stipulated timeframe and directed officials to maintain both the pace and quality of development work.