LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister’s Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat programme has received a strong public response, with more than 89,000 applications submitted through the programme’s online portal so far, reflecting growing demand for safe and affordable housing across the province. The figures were shared during a meeting of the Governing Body of the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA), chaired by Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yasin. The meeting reviewed the agency’s annual performance, future targets and progress on various housing initiatives being implemented by the provincial government. For the first time, PHATA’s budget was also presented before the Governing Body. Participants were briefed on progress under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, its achievements to date and measures being taken to expand access to housing facilities for eligible citizens. The housing minister expressed satisfaction over the programme’s progress and PHATA’s overall performance. The Governing Body was also briefed on the Apni Zameen Apna Ghar programme, under which free residential plots are being provided to eligible citizens. Officials reviewed different stages of the initiative and measures aimed at enabling deserving families to secure land ownership for residential purposes. In another major decision, the Governing Body approved an expansion of the affordable housing programme on PHATA owned land. The move is intended to utilise available public land for residential projects targeting low- and middle-income households and to increase the supply of affordable homes across Punjab. Bilal Yasin directed officials to ensure effective enforcement of PHATA laws and regulations in affordable housing schemes and stressed that no project should be allowed to proceed without fulfilling the required legal and regulatory conditions. The meeting also discussed the growing pressure of housing development on agricultural land and green areas. The minister said approvals for residential schemes in green areas had created environmental risks and directed authorities to accelerate enforcement action against illegal housing schemes. He said the government would facilitate developers who fully comply with laws and regulations, but warned that strict action would be taken against those launching unauthorised projects or misleading the public through the sale of fraudulent property files. The housing minister further directed relevant authorities to ensure strict compliance with rules and regulations at every stage of housing projects, including approval, construction and sale, in order to safeguard citizens’ investments and provide access to safe, legal and affordable housing. The decisions taken by the PHATA Governing Body indicate that the Punjab government is seeking to expand housing and free plot initiatives for low-income families while simultaneously strengthening regulatory oversight and enforcement against illegal housing schemes and unauthorised property sales.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The government has decided to transfer state owned havelis and other historic properties in Walled City Lahore to the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) as part of a broader plan to preserve, restore and make better use of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage. Under the initiative, historic havelis, buildings and other significant properties currently managed by different government departments will gradually be brought under the administration of a single authority to ensure more coordinated maintenance, repair and restoration. The primary objective of the plan is to prevent further deterioration of historic structures in the old city while preserving their original architectural and historical character. The WCLA is expected to oversee restoration, conservation and refurbishment work in a more structured manner. According to the government’s plan, heritage buildings will not only be preserved but, where appropriate, may also be developed for tourism-related use. The move is expected to create more opportunities for domestic and international visitors to experience Lahore’s historic architecture, cultural traditions and urban heritage. Suitable historic havelis and buildings may also be allocated for cultural, literary and arts-related activities. This could allow government properties that are currently vacant or underused to be brought back into active use without compromising their heritage value. Walled City Lahore is home to a large number of historic havelis and structures representing different architectural periods and layers of the city’s social and cultural history. Since many of these properties have remained under the control of different departments, adopting a uniform approach to their maintenance and use has often been difficult. Bringing them under a single specialized authority is expected to improve coordination in conservation and restoration efforts. The initiative could also support the more effective use of public heritage assets while expanding tourism activity in the historic core of Lahore. Restored buildings could be linked with existing heritage and tourism routes, helping strengthen cultural tourism in the old city. Officials say the restoration of historic havelis and other buildings would further highlight the identity of Walled City Lahore and accelerate efforts to preserve the city’s architectural and cultural heritage for future generations. Once for management of historic public properties by combining conservation with cultural, tourism and community use.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab has introduced major changes to its land and property laws, bringing more land transactions into the digital system while imposing tougher penalties for illegal occupation of property. Under amendments to Punjab's land revenue law, e registration has been introduced for land transfers, while summons, notices and public announcements can also be issued through electronic or digital means. The law also provides formal procedures for land demarcation and the eviction of illegal occupants. One of the most significant changes for property owners has been made under the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property law. Illegal occupation of another person's immovable property can now result in five to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs10 million, or both. Property possession complaints will no longer be decided through the earlier administrative committee mechanism. Instead, complaints will be filed before a tribunal involving serving judges, with serving Additional Sessions Judges eligible to perform this role. The tribunal may refer a complaint to a Scrutiny Committee for examination. The committee includes officials from the district administration, police and revenue authorities. Under the prescribed procedure, the tribunal is required to forward a complaint to the Scrutiny Committee within three days. The committee is required to submit its report within 30 days, after which the tribunal must proceed with the case within the specified timeframe. The amendments also contain penalties for false complaints. A person found to have filed a false property complaint may face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs500,000. Changes to the land revenue system are also intended to increase the use of digital records and procedures. Electronic notices, digital processes for mutations and e registration are among the measures introduced to reduce dependence on manual land administration. The role of patwaris in recording mutations has also been restricted mainly to inheritance related transfers. These reforms were originally introduced through the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 and the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 in February. The amendments were subsequently taken up and passed by the Punjab Assembly and became Acts in May 2026. The changes have direct implications for property owners, buyers and sellers across Punjab, particularly in matters involving property transfers, land records, boundary disputes and illegal possession.