LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan More than 150,000 homeless families across Punjab have been issued interest free loans under the Punjab government’s “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme, helping thousands of families move closer to realizing their dream of owning a home. During a briefing given to Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin on the progress of the programme, officials said that interest free loans have so far been provided to more than 156,000 families for the construction of houses. According to officials, the total value of loans issued under the programme has exceeded Rs 208 billion. The briefing reviewed in detail the distribution of loans, houses under construction, completed units and pending applications. Officials said 32,412 houses are currently under construction at different stages across various districts of the province, while loan amounts will soon be released to another 7,792 families. Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin directed the relevant authorities to further expand the scope of the programme in both urban and rural areas so that the maximum number of deserving families can benefit from the facility. He said the Punjab government would fulfill its commitment to provide interest free loans to another 100,000 families in the new financial year. Bilal Yasin said the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme is an important welfare initiative for ordinary citizens, enabling tenant families to become homeowners. He added that thousands of families have already laid the foundation for a better and more secure future through the programme. The housing minister said the Punjab government would continue taking practical steps to provide affordable, safe and dignified housing to the people. He said the government’s priority is to extend financial assistance on easy terms to homeless and low income families so they can fulfill their dream of building their own homes.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has prepared the second draft of recommendations for the next fiscal year’s budget, under which the total size of the provincial budget is expected to be around Rs 6 trillion. According to government sources, the total development budget for Punjab in the next fiscal year is proposed at Rs 1.45 trillion. The proposed budget gives special importance to development initiatives, including transport, local government development, clean water, road rehabilitation, police infrastructure and improvement projects in rural areas. Sources said the transport sector has been given top priority in the development budget, with major projects worth Rs 303 billion proposed for the sector. The government aims to provide better travel facilities to citizens, reduce traffic pressure and modernise the transport system in major cities. According to the proposed budget draft, Rs980 billion is under consideration for the Annual Development Programme. Under this programme, work will be carried out in different districts to provide basic facilities, improve infrastructure and implement public welfare projects. The budget recommendations also include the construction of new smart police stations in Okara, Rawalpindi, Kasur, Multan, Gujranwala and Pakpattan. These projects are aimed at modernising the policing system, improving public facilitation and strengthening the administrative structure of police stations through technology. Sources said development works in Lahore, clean water schemes, the model village programme and other major projects will also be part of the upcoming budget. A proposal has been made to allocate Rs 30 billion for the model village project, while Rs42 billion has been recommended for the road rehabilitation programme. For the next fiscal year, the proposed budget for the local government sector has been set at Rs 250 billion, while Rs 156 billion has been proposed for local government development. The funds will be used to improve local level development works, basic civic facilities, drainage, sanitation, roads and other municipal projects. Government sources said the budget draft prioritises public facilities, infrastructure improvement and local development. The final budget recommendations will become part of the provincial budget for the next fiscal year after approval.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan] On the instructions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, the Town Planning Wing of the Lahore Development Authority carried out a major operation in the LDA controlled area against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercial fees, sealing 170 properties. LDA teams conducted operations in different areas, including Gulberg, Faisal Town, Gulshan Ravi, GT Road, PCSIR Scheme College Road, Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar. The operation was carried out over illegal commercial use, non payment of commercial fees and violation of rules and regulations. According to the LDA, 25 properties were sealed in Gulberg and Faisal Town over illegal commercial use and non payment of commercial fees. Similarly, 35 properties were sealed during action in Gulshan Ravi and on GT Road. On PCSIR Scheme College Road, LDA teams sealed 70 illegal commercial shops. During the recovery operation, 40 properties were also sealed in Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar. The sealed properties include private schools, restaurants, food points, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, shops, offices and other commercial units. LDA officials said the operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali. Relevant town planning staff of the LDA also participated in the operation. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate actions against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercial fees would continue. He said illegal commercial activities would not be allowed in the city and strict action would be taken in accordance with the law against those violating the rules.