Lahore Division

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan On the directions of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq, the authority has continued its initiative to provide residential and commercial plots to citizens on easy installments, conducting its sixth computerized ballot for the allocation of plots. The ballot was held at the LDA Sports Complex in Johar Town and included residential and commercial plots located in Johar Town, LDA City and LDA Avenue One. A total of 1,520 applications were received from citizens seeking participation in the ballot. The ballot included 40 commercial plots measuring four marlas each, located in the Business Bay area of LDA City. According to the LDA, these commercial plots are situated at an ideal location, approximately three minutes from Ferozepur Road and Ring Road, making them attractive for business activities and investment. Similarly, 30 commercial plots measuring five marlas each in the Commercial Zone of LDA Avenue One were included in the ballot. Another 25 residential plots measuring five marlas each, located in Block K of Johar Town, were also offered through the computerized balloting process. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said the authority was providing fully developed residential and commercial plots in its schemes on easy three-year installment plans to facilitate citizens and enable them to acquire property according to their financial capacity. He said successful applicants would be able to pay the price of their plots in 12 equal installments over a period of three years. Those opting for full upfront payment would also be eligible for a five percent discount on the total price. Tahir Farooq said the initiative provided citizens with an important opportunity to acquire fully developed residential and commercial plots through a three-year easy installment facility. He added that the LDA would soon bring more plots to the market on easy installment plans. ADG Housing, Chief Town Planner, Chief IT Officer, Director Auction, Director Finance, Directors Housing and other relevant LDA officials attended the ballot ceremony. Successful applicants were selected through the computerized balloting process. Clarify the sixth ballot’s outcome

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab has begun practical measures to expand alternative sources of usable water in urban areas by 2029. The provincial government has initiated large scale planning and implementation to treat wastewater and surface water for productive use, with the objective of reducing growing reliance on groundwater and meeting future water requirements on a sustainable basis. The Urban Water Management Plan presented to Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal reviewed various proposals and measures for developing alternative water sources in urban areas, improving wastewater treatment and promoting the efficient use of surface water. Technical teams from the Housing Department and Punjab WASA gave the Housing Secretary a detailed briefing on the proposed plan. The plan places particular emphasis on utilizing wastewater and surface water as important alternative sources to meet the province’s future water needs. The Housing Secretary directed the relevant authorities to take effective measures to reduce dependence on groundwater and promote alternative water sources, while ensuring the speedy implementation of a sustainable water management strategy in urban areas. According to a spokesperson for the Housing Department, the use of surface water will be gradually expanded in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and other districts across Punjab. Significant progress in organized urban water management is expected across the province by 2029 under the plan. The spokesperson said the Urban Water Management Plan includes the planning and implementation of wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of 800 million gallons per day. In addition, 130 million gallons per day of treated surface water is planned to be incorporated into the overall water supply system. Under the plan, the share of usable surface water is targeted to increase from the existing 6 percent to 27 percent. Officials said international standards are being taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of water-related projects to improve both the availability and quality of water in urban areas. The Housing Department spokesperson said protecting groundwater reserves through the development of alternative sources of usable water has become an urgent necessity. Special attention is being given to increasing the use of surface water and treated wastewater to help address the continued decline in groundwater levels. According to the spokesperson, smart urban water management is being promoted in line with the Chief Minister Punjab’s vision. The initiative aims to develop alternative water sources in urban areas, meet future water requirements on a sustainable basis and reduce pressure on underground water reserves. Officials said successful implementation of the plan would not only improve water availability for urban populations but also strengthen sustainable water supply infrastructure for rapidly expanding urban areas, new residential developments and future urban and real estate projects across the province.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has introduced a new digital enforcement and inspection system for properties across Lahore, aimed at improving transparency, accountability and traceability in action against illegal construction, unauthorized commercial activity, land-use violations and non payment of property dues. The revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), effective from September 8, require enforcement proceedings to be managed through a digital file-management system. Notices issued to property owners will carry QR codes, while officials will be required to upload geo-tagged photographs and relevant supporting documents. The new system is designed to create a digital audit trail for enforcement actions, including the issuance of notices, sealing of properties and demolition proceedings, reducing reliance on conventional paper based records and making individual cases easier to track and verify. Under the revised framework, enforcement cases have been divided into three major categories: illegal construction, unauthorized change or use of buildings, and non-payment of property dues. Before taking enforcement action, LDA officials will be required to conduct a detailed review of the relevant property record. This will include approved and unapproved building plans, commercialization status, existing court stays, previous exemptions or regularization, outstanding dues and fines, revenue records and available digital information relating to the property and site. The revised procedures also establish specific response periods for property owners, providing them an opportunity to address violations before further action is taken. Owners facing allegations of unauthorized commercial use will be given 15 days to rectify the violation, while cases involving illegal construction will have a shorter five day response period before enforcement proceedings can move forward. The digital framework is expected to strengthen oversight of property enforcement by ensuring that actions taken by field teams are supported by documented evidence and can be reviewed through the authority's digital record. The initiative comes as the LDA continues to intensify action against unauthorized construction and commercial activities across Lahore. By linking enforcement notices with QR codes and geo tagged evidence, the authority aims to improve monitoring of cases while providing a clearer record of the basis on which enforcement decisions are made. The new system could also provide property owners with greater clarity regarding the status of enforcement proceedings and the violations identified against their properties, while helping the authority maintain a more organized and transparent enforcement process.