LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched a major crackdown on illegal commercial buildings, unauthorized constructions and commercial fee defaulters, sealing 99 properties and demolishing several illegal structures across the city. Acting on the directives of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, teams from the Town Planning Wing carried out operations in the LDA controlled area, including Gulshan Mustafa Society, Punjab Government Employees Cooperative Housing Scheme, Naz Town, Pine Avenue, Punjab University Town, Gulberg, Faisal Town, Canal Road, Samanabad, Poonch Road and Allama Iqbal Town. During the operation, LDA teams demolished illegal foundations of an under construction building in Gulshan Mustafa Society. In Punjab Government Employees Cooperative Housing Scheme II, an illegally constructed floor was demolished and the relevant properties were sealed. Several unauthorized shops were demolished in Naz Town, while action was also taken against illegal structures near Kahna Flyover and Defence Road. An unauthorized service station on Main Pine Avenue Road was demolished, while boundary walls of an illegal marquee site in Punjab University Town Phase II were also pulled down. According to the LDA, 29 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town were sealed over unauthorized commercial use, while another 42 properties on Canal Road, Samanabad and Poonch Road were sealed for non payment of commercial fees and illegal business activities. During a separate recovery operation, another 28 properties were sealed in Allama Iqbal Town, taking the total number of properties sealed during the operations to 99. The sealed premises included private schools, colleges, academies, halls, salons, cafes, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, clinics, hardware and electrical stores, pharmacies, shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner I Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner II Azhar Ali. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings, unauthorized constructions and commercial fee defaulters would continue.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan PIAF, the Anjuman e Tajiran DHA Board and the Awami Business Group Defence have reaffirmed their commitment to continue joint efforts and mutual cooperation for protecting the rights of the business community, resolving traders’ issues and promoting commercial activity, while pledging to further strengthen ties among the three platforms in the future. Shahan Ahmed Sheikh, President of the Traders’ Association DHA Board, Chairman of the Awami Business Group and Convener of the LCCI Committee on DHA Realtors and Traders, said in a message to the business community that relations among PIAF, the Traders’ Association DHA Board and the Awami Business Group Defence have long been based on sincerity, mutual respect, service and unity. He said the cooperation would continue in the same spirit and would be further strengthened in the coming years. The statement noted that traders and industrialists are currently facing a range of economic and administrative challenges, making unity and effective coordination among business organisations increasingly important. It said a strong collective voice could help ensure that traders’ concerns are communicated more effectively to the relevant authorities, while also enabling organised efforts for the introduction of business friendly policies. Business leaders said PIAF has established itself as an important platform for representing Lahore’s business community, particularly within the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and has continued to play a role in protecting traders’ rights, highlighting their concerns and supporting business development. The statement stressed the need to make such platforms more active and effective in order to provide strong and credible representation to the business community by bringing together the voices of different markets, trade bodies and business groups. In this regard, the leaders called for further expansion of cooperation among PIAF, the Traders’ Association DHA Board and the Awami Business Group Defence. The services of PIAF’s senior leadership were also acknowledged, with special appreciation expressed for Mian Anjum Nisar, Muhammad Ali Mian, Faheem Sehgal and other senior leaders for their contributions, guidance and support for the business community. The statement said senior business leaders had played an important role over the years in addressing traders’ concerns, raising their issues at relevant forums and promoting trust and unity within the business community. It added that during challenging economic conditions, the need for effective representation and a strong collective platform for businesses becomes even more significant. The business leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the PIAF platform and continue joint efforts to highlight the concerns of traders and industrialists, safeguard their rights and improve the overall business environment. They also urged the business community to rise above personal and group differences, unite around shared interests and support initiatives aimed at promoting trade, investment and commercial activity.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Pakistan is moving to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration with Türkiye as part of efforts to reduce its heavy dependence on imported energy and increase domestic production. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said Turkish Petroleum is preparing to begin offshore drilling operations in Pakistani waters. The Turkish company is also expected to bring a seismic survey vessel to Pakistan. According to the minister, offshore drilling could begin in September or October, marking the revival of offshore exploration after a gap of nearly two decades. Pakistan currently faces a wide gap between its oil demand and domestic production. The country requires around 500,000 barrels of oil per day, while local production is only about 70,000 barrels per day, according to the petroleum minister. The government wants to increase local oil and gas exploration to reduce this dependence on imports. Offshore exploration requires major investment. Malik said drilling a single offshore well can cost around $100 million, while an earlier government briefing to the National Assembly indicated that the cost of an offshore well could exceed $120 million. The government is also seeking to modernise Pakistan’s aging oil refineries so that more petroleum products can be produced locally and the need for imported fuel can gradually be reduced. Malik said Pakistan expects companies to start signing refinery upgrade agreements worth around $5 billion from September. The government has also approved changes to the refinery policy to encourage local and foreign investment in the sector. The government believes that increased domestic exploration, offshore drilling and refinery upgrades could strengthen Pakistan’s energy security. Successful oil or gas discoveries in offshore areas could also help reduce the country’s import bill and limit its exposure to changes in international energy prices over the longer term.