Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has decided to expand secret surveys and monitoring to assess the performance of the Suthra Punjab Programme and Model Village projects, particularly the quality of sanitation services and progress against prescribed targets. According to government sources, the covert monitoring exercise will assess the gap between official claims and conditions on the ground. Officials and field staff found responsible for poor performance, irregularities or failure to meet targets may face disciplinary action. Sources said sanitation operations, field activities and progress on Model Village projects would be closely monitored to determine whether the targets set by the government were being achieved. The Chief Minister’s Inspection Team and other relevant government agencies are being engaged in the secret survey process to conduct unannounced inspections of sanitation conditions and public services in different areas. The survey will examine the overall standard of cleanliness, timely removal of waste, presence and performance of field staff, utilisation of available resources and the quality of services being provided to citizens. Progress on sanitation and development-related initiatives under the Model Village projects will also be assessed. The government has made it clear that negligence, poor performance, corruption and misuse of public resources under the Suthra Punjab Programme will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for persistent lapses in sanitation operations or failure to address public complaints promptly. Sources said daily digital monitoring of the programme has also been initiated. Under the system, sanitation operations, field activities and progress on various projects are being reviewed on a daily basis. The digital mechanism is aimed at maintaining performance records of relevant institutions and identifying underperforming areas at an early stage. The government has directed the departments and field agencies concerned to further improve sanitation services, ensure full implementation of assigned targets and guarantee prompt resolution of complaints received from the public. Officials said the secret surveys and digital monitoring were intended not merely to identify shortcomings but also to improve the quality of services delivered under the Suthra Punjab Programme and ensure that public facilities and sanitation services reach citizens effectively.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yingming Yang, with detailed discussions held on ongoing development projects, construction activities and future cooperation across various sectors in the province. The meeting focused on accelerating projects aimed at improving basic public services and strengthening infrastructure, with both sides agreeing to continue cooperation in the provision of clean drinking water, healthcare and education. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed the need for ADB assistance in the development and expansion of major healthcare projects in Punjab, including cardiac, children’s and cancer hospitals. She emphasized that continued international development support would help accelerate the delivery of essential public infrastructure and healthcare facilities. The meeting also discussed the promotion of nursing education, expansion of training opportunities in the healthcare sector and the establishment of STEM laboratories in government schools. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening Punjab’s education and healthcare infrastructure while improving access to modern learning and professional training. The two sides also reviewed matters related to three concessional loan agreements aimed at providing modern agricultural machinery to farmers. The proposed support is intended to promote the use of modern technology and machinery in agriculture and improve farmers’ productivity. The chief minister thanked the Asian Development Bank for its cooperation in organizing the Punjab Agri-Food Investment Forum and said development projects across the province were progressing rapidly. She said the provincial government was implementing large-scale initiatives to improve basic public facilities and accelerate infrastructure development. Maryam Nawaz described the Punjab Economic Transformation Plan as a game changer for the province’s economic growth. She said the government was simultaneously pursuing reforms and development initiatives in employment, investment, transportation, education, healthcare and agriculture. The chief minister further said that an additional 2,000 electric buses would be deployed on Punjab’s roads by next year, expanding the province’s modern and environmentally friendly public transport network. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further expand cooperation between Punjab and the Asian Development Bank and ensure the timely completion of ongoing development projects.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan On the directives of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been introduced to ensure greater transparency and effective monitoring of the authority’s enforcement and inspection regime. Under the new system, enforcement actions against illegal construction, unlawful commercial use, violations of land-use regulations and non-payment of dues will be linked to a digital monitoring mechanism. Notices issued against properties, along with sealing and demolition operations, will be digitally monitored. Through the Digital File Processing System, notices will carry QR codes, while geo-tagged photographs and relevant records will be monitored online. Sealed properties will only be de-sealed after payment of fines, legal restoration or grant of the required approval. Under the new SOPs, properties have been divided into three major categories: illegal construction, unlawful change in the use of an existing building, and non-payment of dues. For the first time, the complete record of the de-sealing of any property will also be maintained digitally. The SOPs clearly define the powers and responsibilities of Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors and Directors of Town Planning. All zones of the Town Planning Wing will be required to inform the relevant Chief Town Planner before initiating any sealing or demolition operation against a property. A special committee headed by the Chief Town Planner has also been constituted to oversee the identification of illegal commercial properties, issuance, withdrawal or correction of notices, and enforcement action against unlawful commercial use. The committee will comprise the Chief IT Officer, Director Revenue, Director Law and the concerned Director Town Planning. Before declaring any property as an illegal commercial property, the committee will examine all relevant facts as well as its planning, legal and revenue status. It will also review the approved or unapproved building plan, temporary or permanent commercialisation status and the legal position of the property. The committee will further examine complaints concerning properties, inspection reports, court stay orders or injunctions, as well as any prior approval, exemption, composition or regularisation granted by a competent authority. The committee will also scrutinise outstanding dues, penalties, revenue records, digital data and site-related information. Its decisions, along with supporting records, will be uploaded to the digital system, while any subsequent correction or alteration will be made through an auditable digital trail. Under the new SOPs, property owners will be given 15 days’ time in cases of illegal commercial use and five days in cases of illegal construction before enforcement action is taken. The LDA administration has made it clear that negligence or failure to comply with the new SOPs will result in departmental action against the responsible officials. On the directives of DG LDA Tahir Farooq, the Director Administration has formally issued the notification for implementation of the new enforcement SOPs.