Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab has achieved a major milestone in wildlife conservation and environmental protection with the completion of Pakistan’s first wildlife hospital, equipped with modern medical facilities for the treatment and care of wild animals, birds and predators. Established under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the hospital features 12 operation theatres and two examination rooms, providing a dedicated facility for the diagnosis, treatment and medical care of injured and sick wildlife. The project has been described as a significant development in strengthening wildlife protection and specialised veterinary services in Pakistan. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb chaired a meeting during her visit to the Command and Control Centre of the Forests and Wildlife Department, where she was given a detailed briefing on progress under various forestry, wildlife and ecotourism initiatives. The meeting was informed that Punjab has also crossed a historic milestone of planting 50 million trees in one year. More than 10 million additional saplings are being planted as part of the ongoing monsoon plantation campaign. Officials said modern technology is being increasingly deployed to strengthen forest protection and monitoring. Artificial intelligence, long-range thermal cameras, satellite monitoring and early fire detection systems are being used to identify illegal activities, forest fires and other threats at an early stage and enable timely action. The briefing further revealed that the Forest Rangers Force, comprising more than 5,000 personnel, now includes 215 women for the first time, marking an expansion of the force’s operational capacity and participation. To improve transparency and monitoring of plantation activities, 285 geotagged nurseries are currently operational across Punjab. Officials said complete records of saplings are being maintained, while geotagging and digital monitoring are being used to track plantation activities. According to the department, Punjab is pursuing an integrated approach combining advanced technology, forest conservation, large-scale plantation, wildlife treatment and ecotourism projects. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening environmental protection while creating a safer and more sustainable habitat for wildlife across the province.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan review mission has reviewed progress on ongoing and proposed urban development projects in Punjab, stressing the need to accelerate implementation of projects related to water supply, drainage, sewerage, solid waste management and other essential municipal services while improving coordination among relevant institutions. The ADB loan review mission visited the Punjab Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, where a meeting was held on the directions of Housing Department Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal. The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary Waqar Azim, while the ADB review mission was led by Head of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Jin Min Nahm. The meeting reviewed the status of ADB-assisted urban development projects in various cities of Punjab, along with proposed projects, approval processes, development activities and issues affecting implementation. The participants discussed the progress of projects, timely approvals, effective execution and improved coordination among government departments. One of the key ADB-supported urban development initiatives in Punjab is the Developing Resilient Environments and Advancing Municipal Services in Punjab project, which focuses on making urban services and infrastructure in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur more sustainable, inclusive and resilient to climate change. The ADB has provided $180 million in concessional financing for the project, while its total cost stands at $225 million. According to the ADB, the project aims to expand and modernize the urban water supply system in Rawalpindi and improve solid waste collection, treatment and disposal systems in Bahawalpur. Around 1.5 million people in the two rapidly growing cities are expected to benefit from the initiative. The project also focuses on strengthening institutional capacity and improving the quality, coverage, efficiency and financial sustainability of municipal services. The objective is not limited to developing physical infrastructure but also includes strengthening the administrative and financial capacity of institutions responsible for delivering urban services. ADB data shows that as of August 21, 2026, contracts worth approximately $131.37 million had been awarded under the project, representing around 73 percent of the ADB loan amount, while approximately $36.74 million, or 20 percent, had been disbursed. The project is scheduled for completion on June 30, 2029. In Rawalpindi, ADB-supported water infrastructure initiatives include a water supply system linked to the Chahan Dam, pumping stations, water works, ground storage tanks and overhead reservoirs. In July this year, an agreement was also signed for the installation of a 12.192-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant for the sustainable and resilient water supply project, aimed at improving the sustainability of the water supply system and reducing energy-related costs. ADB support is also being extended to urban service improvement initiatives in other cities of Punjab. Under the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Program, attention has been given to urban infrastructure, water supply, sewerage, urban flood protection, urban planning and institutional capacity for municipal services in cities including Sahiwal and Sialkot. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has also launched the Punjab Municipal Services Programme to rehabilitate and improve municipal services across the province. The programme includes rehabilitation of dysfunctional water supply and sewerage schemes, provision of solid waste and sewerage machinery, installation of streetlights, replacement of manhole covers and other essential municipal works. Experts say that with residential and commercial construction expanding rapidly across Punjab’s cities, water supply, sewerage, drainage and solid waste management infrastructure have become central components of urban planning. The need for reliable water supplies, wastewater treatment, stormwater drainage and environmental safeguards is becoming increasingly important, particularly with the expansion of new housing schemes and urban settlements. The ADB review mission is also significant in the broader context of Punjab’s interconnected urban development projects. Investment in water supply, sewerage, solid waste management, drainage and municipal infrastructure not only improves urban services but also creates the basic infrastructure required for future residential and commercial development. The meeting stressed the need for relevant institutions to maintain effective coordination throughout the approval and implementation stages, remove development bottlenecks in a timely manner and advance ADB-supported projects in line with their prescribed targets. The measures are expected to help improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of urban services across Punjab.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The business and commercial community has expressed concern over the rapidly increasing development of housing schemes in Punjab and the growing conversion of agricultural land into residential projects, urging the government to take effective and long-term measures to protect agricultural land. During a discussion held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on September 8, business representatives pointed out that the expansion of urban settlements is rapidly diverting agricultural land toward housing schemes, commercial projects and other construction activities. They warned that unless this trend is effectively regulated through proper land-use planning and monitoring, it could create serious challenges for agricultural production, food security and the environment in the future. Punjab already has various laws and regulations governing private housing schemes and land use, including the Punjab Private Housing Scheme Rules 2022 and regulations relating to land-use planning. According to official records, a legal framework is in place for land-use planning, land classification, reclassification and redevelopment. In June 2026, the Punjab government also approved major regulatory reforms for private housing schemes. The reforms included digitization of the approval process, action against illegal housing projects, underground utility services and measures aimed at protecting the rights of property buyers. Penalties were also introduced for schemes established without approval or those failing to complete development works within the prescribed timeframe. The business community’s call for protection of agricultural land comes at a time when the Punjab government is also undertaking initiatives aimed at preserving agricultural land for cultivation and providing land to landless families. Under the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” scheme, the government has launched a programme involving agricultural land worth around Rs160 billion for landless rural families, with conditions requiring the allocated land to remain under agricultural use for a specified period and restricting permanent construction. Experts say the conversion of agricultural land into residential use not only reduces the area available for cultivation but also places pressure on agricultural belts surrounding cities, natural drainage routes and the broader environmental balance. The rapid expansion of residential settlements around major cities could also increase pressure on water supplies, traffic networks, sewerage systems, electricity and other civic infrastructure in the future. The unregulated conversion of agricultural land has also emerged as an important issue for the real estate sector. Experts believe that approval of housing schemes should not be based solely on land availability. Population needs, existing urban infrastructure, water availability, sewerage systems, environmental impact and the future master plan of the area should also be taken into consideration. Business representatives urged the government to improve transparency in the process of converting agricultural land, accelerate action against illegal housing schemes and protect land that is strategically important for food production and environmental sustainability from unnecessary conversion to residential or commercial use. Meanwhile, various programmes are also being implemented in Punjab to modernize the agricultural sector, improve irrigation and promote efficient water use and agricultural productivity. According to the Agriculture Department, work is also underway on modern irrigation systems, water management and agricultural infrastructure projects, reflecting the government’s focus on maintaining the productive capacity of agricultural land. Business circles said the expansion of the housing sector is inevitable in view of Punjab’s growing population and rising demand for residential facilities. However, they stressed that a balance must be maintained between protecting agricultural land, organized urban planning and sustainable land-use policies so that present housing requirements can be met without compromising agricultural resources for future generations.