LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Assembly has called for urgent action against illegal housing schemes allegedly depriving citizens of their lifetime savings, directing the provincial Housing Department to provide a prompt response and considering parliamentary intervention to protect property buyers. The issue was raised during Zero Hour by opposition member Ahmer Rashid Bhatti, who told the House that numerous housing schemes had collected substantial amounts from citizens but failed to provide the promised facilities or return their investments. The complaints highlight continuing concerns over the regulation of housing societies and the protection of people investing their savings in residential plots and housing projects. Parliamentary Secretary for Housing Sultan Bajwa informed the Assembly that a case against the relevant housing society was already pending before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan expressed concern over the matter and observed that citizens’ lifetime savings could not simply be left at the mercy of lengthy proceedings. He directed the Housing Department to submit an early response and suggested summoning the regional director of NAB to brief the Assembly on the action being taken against illegal housing societies. The Speaker further indicated that if the matter could not be resolved through the courts or the relevant government department, the Assembly could intervene by forming a parliamentary committee to pursue the issue. The proposed intervention could provide a platform for reviewing complaints against housing schemes, examining regulatory failures and developing measures to prevent citizens from falling victim to fraudulent or unapproved property projects. The proceedings also included discussion on the Punjab West and Sanitation Workers’ Dignity, Safety, Security and Welfare Bill 2026. When treasury member Ahmed Iqbal Chaudhary sought to introduce the legislation, the Speaker directed him to first consult the government regarding its financial implications. Ahmed argued that the proposed law sought to establish safety standards for sanitation workers performing field duties. The Speaker directed Ahmed Iqbal and Parliamentary Secretary Khalid Ranjha to consult on all aspects of the bill and ensure that it was placed on the agenda during the ongoing session.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited Bhatti Chowk and the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and reviewed the pace, quality and progress of ongoing development projects. Tepa Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain briefed the LDA DG on the development activities underway at Bhatti Chowk, the underpass and other related locations. During the visit, Tahir Farooq inspected the ongoing works around Bhatti Chowk and expressed displeasure over the slow progress of finishing work. The LDA DG directed the contractor and project director to immediately accelerate the pace of development work and ensure that all construction and finishing activities are completed according to the required standards. He made it clear that unnecessary delays in the completion of projects would not be tolerated and that no compromise would be made on the quality of work. Tahir Farooq also reviewed the improvement of green areas around Bhatti Chowk and the construction of a protected U-turn aimed at improving traffic flow. He directed the concerned officials to ensure that the overall beautification of the area and provision of better civic facilities remain an integral part of the development work. During the visit, the LDA DG also assessed traffic flow between Azadi Chowk and the underpass. He reviewed measures being taken to facilitate smooth traffic movement and improve mobility for citizens, directing the relevant authorities to address any shortcomings. Tahir Farooq further reviewed facilities for pedestrians and parking arrangements along Circular Road. He directed the concerned departments to implement these measures in a coordinated manner to improve civic facilities, traffic flow and the overall environment of the area. The LDA DG instructed officials to regularly monitor progress on finishing and other ongoing works, stressing that the pace and quality of field activities must be continuously supervised and any obstacles should be addressed without delay. Officials from TEPA, LDA, NESPAK and trhe contractor were also present during the visit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (C&W) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth has directed the department’s field formations to complete construction and remaining development work on 82 additional roads by September 7 under the Local Road Program. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the provincial minister to review progress on the road development program across Punjab. Secretary Communications and Works Raja Jahangir Anwar, Special Secretary, Additional Secretaries and other senior officials attended the meeting, while Superintending Engineers (SEs) and Executive Engineers (XENs) participated through video link. During the meeting, officials presented a detailed progress report covering road projects in the North, Central and South regions of the province. The minister was also briefed on work being carried out on roads that have already been completed, including the installation of signboards, lane marking and beautification measures. According to the directives, the department has been tasked with completing 26 roads in the South region, 33 roads in the North and 23 roads in the Central region by September 7. The minister instructed the concerned Chief Engineers and field officers to ensure that the deadline is met without compromising the quality of construction and rehabilitation work. Bharth also ordered the department to immediately fill vacant posts in its field formations, stressing that adequate staffing is essential for effective supervision, timely execution and maintenance of road projects across the province. The minister further directed officials to conduct comprehensive inspections of the shoulders of roads constructed since 2024. Any damaged or deteriorated sections identified during these inspections must be repaired within 10 days, he ordered. To strengthen monitoring, Bharth instructed senior officials and field teams to undertake daily visits to project sites and roads. The inspections will focus on the physical condition of roads, progress of ongoing schemes, quality of construction and completion of assigned works within the prescribed timelines. The minister emphasized that road development should not end with the completion of construction. He directed the Communications and Works Department to continue repair and maintenance activities after the monsoon season to protect newly developed infrastructure and ensure long-term improvements in Punjab’s road network. The directions come as the provincial government continues efforts to improve local road infrastructure, enhance connectivity between urban and rural areas and address deteriorated road sections through construction, rehabilitation and regular maintenance. Officials were directed to maintain close coordination between headquarters and field formations and ensure that development targets are achieved according to the approved schedule.