LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan] The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters, sealing 208 properties during operations in different parts of the city. According to the LDA, the operations were carried out by the Town Planning Wing on the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq in Defence Road, Allama Iqbal Town, Sabzazar, GT Road, Gulshan Ravi and Samanabad. During the operation, 110 illegal commercial shops were sealed on Defence Road, while 45 properties were sealed in Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar over non-payment of commercial fees. Similarly, 53 more properties were sealed on GT Road, in Gulshan Ravi and Samanabad during action against illegal commercial use. LDA officials said the sealed properties included private schools, restaurants, food points, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, shops, offices and other commercial establishments. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters would continue.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that model agriculture malls will be established in all districts of the province in phases, saying every possible step will be taken to facilitate farmers in Punjab. She said better days had arrived for farmers and Punjab’s agriculture sector was entering a new era of modern facilities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that for the first time in Punjab, farmers were being provided agricultural needs, advisory services and modern facilities near their villages under one roof. According to her, the government’s objective is to move farmers away from traditional difficulties and connect them with a modern, organised and well facilitated agricultural system. According to the report, the concept of a One Stop Agriculture Input Market has been introduced in Punjab under the chief minister’s farmer friendly vision. Under this initiative, farmers will have access to quality agricultural inputs, fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, modern agricultural equipment, expert guidance and other facilities at one place. Model agriculture malls have become fully functional in four districts of Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Sargodha. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities to take immediate steps for the establishment of model agriculture malls in 10 more districts. Under the government’s plan, model agriculture malls will also be set up in Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Attock and Mianwali, among other districts. The chief minister made it clear that the project would be expanded across Punjab in phases so that both small and large farmers could benefit equally from government facilities. At the model agriculture malls, farmers will also be able to rent the latest agricultural machinery. This will allow small farmers to access equipment according to their needs instead of purchasing expensive machinery. According to officials, the initiative will help reduce production costs, improve crop yields and introduce modern practices in the agricultural process. The management and operation of the agriculture malls are being carried out in partnership with the private sector to ensure transparent, effective and reliable services for farmers. The government says the model is aimed at combining official guidance with private sector efficiency in the agriculture sector.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan On the special direction of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, a special judicial mechanism has been activated in Punjab to take action against those involved in land grabbing. Under the Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act, special tribunals have been established in all 36 districts of the province, where cases related to illegal occupation of land and property ownership rights will be heard. According to judicial sources, additional sessions judges will perform duties in these special tribunals. The purpose of this initiative is to provide immediate, effective and transparent justice to citizens affected by illegal occupation of land, false claims, delaying tactics and prolonged judicial proceedings. Following the direction of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, 575 pending cases across Punjab have also been transferred to the special tribunals. A large number of these cases had remained pending for a long time due to stay orders, legal complications or other reasons. Under the new system, these cases will be decided on a priority basis so that legal owners can receive relief. Under the Punjab Property Ownership Amendment Act, if illegal occupation of land is proven, those involved may face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 10 years, along with heavy fines. The law also empowers the special tribunals to seek assistance from police and relevant administrative departments to retrieve occupied land and hand it over to the rightful and legal owners. Legal experts say the establishment of special tribunals is an important development for resolving property related disputes in Punjab. They said land grabbing cases have long been a serious issue for ordinary citizens, widows, elderly people, legal heirs and overseas Pakistanis. Through a separate and fast track judicial forum, affected individuals are expected to receive timely relief. Sources said Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has directed that unnecessary delays in land grabbing cases should be eliminated and the judicial process should be made more effective. In this regard, steps have been initiated at the district level to ensure the transfer of cases, scheduling of hearings and availability of relevant records. The establishment of special tribunals against illegal occupants of land in Punjab comes at a time when a large number of citizens are facing complaints related to the protection of ownership rights, forged documents, illegal occupation and prolonged litigation. It is expected that this move will not only increase public confidence but also help make the system of land records, ownership rights and property transactions more secure in the province. The initiative is also particularly important for overseas Pakistanis, as citizens living abroad often face illegal occupation of their properties, forged transfers and lengthy legal proceedings in their absence. Fast track hearings through special tribunals are expected to improve the protection of their rights as well. According to judicial circles, this measure is an important step toward speedy justice, rule of law and protection of property rights in Punjab. If implemented effectively, the system could significantly accelerate action against illegal occupants.