Lahore Division

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan Under the directives of Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq, the authority has further accelerated reforms in its field inspection and enforcement system. New instructions have been issued to all relevant wings and field staff to ensure clear identification of officials and personnel during field operations. According to the directives issued by the LDA, all relevant staff engaged in field activities will be required to prominently display QR-code-based official identification cards. Officials and personnel deployed in the field will also be required to wear designated LDA jackets, enabling citizens to easily distinguish authorised LDA teams from unauthorised individuals. Under the new protocols, LDA deputy directors, assistant directors, inspectors, enforcement teams, surveyors and other field personnel have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions. Officials have been instructed to maintain proper identification and follow the prescribed procedures during all field inspections and enforcement activities. According to LDA officials, the measures are primarily aimed at tightening the crackdown on private individuals who misuse the authority’s name or falsely claim to exercise LDA powers, while protecting citizens from fraudulent or unauthorised persons. Complaints have emerged in various instances regarding individuals approaching citizens in the name of government departments or conducting purported field inspections, prompting the authority to strengthen its identification mechanism. The LDA has also urged citizens to verify the official identity of personnel who visit them for inspections or other official activities. Citizens have been advised to check the QR coded identification card and confirm the credentials of the visiting officials before cooperating with any inspection or enforcement activity. The authority has made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against private individuals who mislead citizens by using the LDA’s name, designation or purported official powers. The authority will also continue strengthening monitoring of field activities and improving the verification system for its field personnel. According to the LDA, the reforms are intended to promote transparency in field inspections, enhance public confidence and prevent the unauthorised use of the authority’s name. The introduction of QR coded identification cards and designated jackets will make it easier for citizens to identify genuine LDA field teams while helping authorities take more effective action against individuals posing as government officials.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan A major operation against alleged encroachment on government land has resulted in the recovery of valuable commercial property worth more than Rs 900 million in Lahore. The operation has been described as part of ongoing efforts to protect state-owned assets and curb illegal occupation of government land. According to details, the Liquidation Committee of the Board of Revenue Punjab conducted the operation in the Mall Road area of Lahore on the directives of the Member Colonies Board of Revenue and Chairman Liquidation Committee Malik Abdul Waheed. Officials said the action was initiated after reports of alleged encroachment on government-owned land, following which relevant records were examined, ownership status was verified and necessary inquiries were completed. Based on the official record and findings of the investigation, orders were issued to remove the encroachment. Teams of the Liquidation Committee subsequently carried out the operation at the site. Heavy machinery was used to demolish a boundary wall constructed on the government land, enabling the authorities to regain possession of the property. Officials said the recovered property comprises highly valuable commercial land, with an estimated worth of more than Rs900 million. Security personnel have also been deployed at the site to protect the recovered land from renewed encroachment or unauthorised use. The operation was conducted with the participation of the Property, Revenue, Administration, Legal and Operations wings of the Liquidation Committee. The concerned departments coordinated the verification of land records, completion of legal requirements and execution of the operation. Board of Revenue Punjab officials said encroachment on government land would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that operations to recover valuable state-owned properties would continue. They said the recovery of government land was important not only for safeguarding public assets but also for ensuring transparent and lawful land use in urban areas. The recovery of government commercial land worth hundreds of millions of rupees from a strategically important area such as Mall Road is being viewed as a significant development in Punjab’s ongoing efforts to protect state-owned properties. Authorities are expected to continue scrutinising government land records and taking action against illegal occupation as part of the broader drive to safeguard public land.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan A meeting chaired by Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq reviewed ongoing and proposed development projects across Lahore, with a detailed assessment of the proposed upgrade plan for Ferozepur Road being carried out on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The meeting also reviewed progress on various projects, proposed schemes and challenges faced during implementation. LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed briefed the meeting on the proposed Ferozepur Road upgrade plan, stating that the LDA would undertake development and improvement works along both sides of approximately 15 kilometres of Ferozepur Road. The road from Canal Bank Road to Gajjumata will be upgraded under an urban regeneration initiative aimed at improving the overall infrastructure and appearance of the corridor. Under the proposed plan, encroachments along Ferozepur Road will be removed, while new footpaths will be constructed and development works will be carried out according to a uniform design. Encroachments in front of hospitals will also be removed, and drop lanes will be developed to help improve traffic flow. The meeting was informed that seating areas would be developed beneath flyovers along Ferozepur Road. The plan also includes removing unnecessary signage from the road and improving the surrounding infrastructure, while suitable spaces for parking will be developed. A briefing was also given on the plan to beautify the Abdul Sattar Edhi Underpass under a sustainable development model. Officials also briefed the DG LDA on ongoing development works around the Railway Station and Misri Shah. The meeting further reviewed sustainable development works underway in Gulberg Scheme and examined progress on the proposed underpass at Chowk Nakhuda. Officials informed the meeting that an underpass would be constructed at Akbar Road, Chowk Nakhuda, in the Shadbagh area. The proposed underpass will be dual carriageway with two lanes, and is expected to facilitate more than 100,000 vehicles daily, helping reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow in the surrounding areas. The meeting also reviewed progress on development works along Structure Plan Roads and discussed challenges affecting the completion of various projects. DG LDA Tahir Farooq reviewed the progress of the schemes and stressed the need to advance development activities according to the निर्धारित targets. The meeting was attended by the LDA Chief Engineer, Director P&D, Directors of Engineering and other relevant officials.