LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to ensure the early completion of Punjab’s first Environment Observatory Project, describing it as an important step toward strengthening environmental protection and pollution control across the province. In her message on World Environment Day, the chief minister said the Punjab government was taking practical measures to improve the environment, reduce pollution and promote a cleaner and healthier lifestyle for citizens. She ordered that legal action against the manufacture, sale and use of substandard plastic bags should continue without interruption. Maryam Nawaz also called for accelerating environmental monitoring efforts across Punjab. She urged citizens to take part in the government’s environmental protection campaign by planting more trees, conserving natural resources and avoiding practices that contribute to pollution. The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the improvement in environmental conditions during the past year, including what she described as a significant reduction in fog and better air quality in different parts of the province. She praised Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and her team for launching initiatives aimed at improving environmental conditions in Lahore and other cities of Punjab. Maryam Nawaz said Punjab had become the first province in Pakistan to develop an early warning system for environmental pollution. According to her, the province’s Air Quality Forecast System is monitoring key air quality indicators, while the Environment Wall is providing round the clock oversight of environmental institutions, enforcement activities and related operations. The chief minister said enforcement operations were also continuing against smoke emitting vehicles, brick kilns violating environmental standards, crop residue burning and other major sources of pollution. She said the Environment Observatory Project would help the government make timely decisions, monitor pollution trends and strengthen Punjab’s response to environmental challenges in a more scientific and coordinated manner.

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan] Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq visited LDA City and reviewed in detail the ongoing development works in the project. Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue and the Chief Engineer LDA also accompanied him during the visit. Director LDA City, the Project Director and the Director Land Acquisition Collector briefed the LDA DG on the current status of the project, development works, structure plan road and progress in different blocks. The briefing was informed that development work on the LDA City Structure Plan Road is underway, while working is also in progress for possession of additional blocks. LDA DG Tahir Farooq welcomed the increase in construction of houses in LDA City and directed officials to ensure the provision of basic facilities to residents of the project. He instructed the relevant officers to accelerate ongoing development works and take effective measures for the immediate resolution of issues being faced. During the visit, the LDA DG also reviewed the land acquisition process of Mauza Toor Warraich along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue. He visited the one window cell established in LDA City for land acquisition of Mauza Toor Warraich and asked citizens about the issues they were facing in the process. Tahir Farooq said citizens would be provided complete assistance in completing their documents and the payment process would be ensured without delay. He said staff from LDA City and the Revenue Department would remain present at the one window cell during office hours to facilitate citizens and provide every possible cooperation in record provision, completion of documents and other legal procedures.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that all new road development projects across the province will be equipped with a modern traffic management system and solar-powered streetlights as part of a wider plan to upgrade Punjab’s transport infrastructure. According to official details, more than 30,000 kilometres of roads have so far been constructed, repaired or rehabilitated under the province’s ongoing development programme. The initiative is aimed at improving connectivity between cities, towns and rural areas while providing citizens with safer, smoother and more efficient travel facilities. The chief minister said work under the CM Local Roads Programme was progressing rapidly in several districts. She directed the relevant departments to ensure timely completion of all road construction and rehabilitation schemes while maintaining strict quality standards, transparency and effective monitoring throughout the process. Maryam Nawaz Sharif described the road development programme as a major step towards modernising Punjab’s infrastructure. She said multi-billion-rupee projects had been launched across the province to improve public mobility, reduce travel difficulties and support economic activity through better transport links. The chief minister also directed authorities to enforce lane and line discipline in Lahore and other major cities. She said improved traffic regulation and better road-use behaviour were essential parts of broader urban management reforms. In addition to road construction, transport infrastructure and bus stop development projects have been approved for Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Multan. These projects are expected to improve public transport facilities and make daily commuting more convenient for citizens. Mass transit projects are also underway in Faisalabad and Gujranwala to provide modern public transport systems in major urban centres. Officials say these schemes will help reduce traffic pressure and improve access to affordable transport services. The chief minister also highlighted the restoration of important highways in Murree under the Restoration of Roads Programme. She said the improvement of major roads in the hill station had made travel easier for both tourists and local residents. Under the future development plan, all newly built roads in Punjab will include solar-powered streetlights. The move is aimed at promoting energy efficiency, improving road safety at night and supporting sustainable infrastructure development across the province.