LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab) has announced that its flagship Quaid District and Bab District have become Pakistan’s first urban development to receive LEED for Communities Gold Precertification from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), marking a significant milestone in the country’s sustainable urban development journey. The internationally recognised precertification acknowledges the project’s master plan for meeting high standards of environmental sustainability, resilience, smart infrastructure, and quality of life. According to CBD Punjab, the recognition establishes a new benchmark for future ready urban communities and reinforces Punjab’s commitment to globally accepted development practices. LEED for Communities is one of the world’s leading sustainability rating systems for cities and districts. It evaluates developments across multiple criteria, including environmental performance, transportation, energy efficiency, governance, public spaces, water management, and long term community wellbeing. Gold Precertification confirms that the project’s planning framework complies with international sustainability standards before construction is fully completed. CBD Punjab stated that the Quaid and Bab Districts have been designed as integrated mixed use developments featuring smart mobility, green infrastructure, climate conscious planning, efficient resource management, and pedestrian friendly public spaces. The authority believes these features will support economic growth while improving environmental performance and urban livability. CBD Punjab Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin described the achievement as a landmark moment for both the authority and Pakistan. He said the certification reflects the organisation’s vision of creating internationally competitive business districts that combine innovation, sustainability, and investment potential. He added that the development is intended to deliver lasting economic, environmental, and social benefits for future generations. Officials said the recognition strengthens Punjab’s position as an emerging destination for sustainable urban investment and demonstrates that Pakistani developments can meet globally recognised planning and environmental standards. They added that the Quaid and Bab Districts are expected to serve as a model for future large scale urban projects across the country. While the Gold Precertification represents an important international endorsement of the project’s planning and design, CBD Punjab noted that final LEED certification will be awarded after the development is completed and independently verified against GBCI’s sustainability performance requirements.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), widely known as CBD Punjab, has commissioned the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) to carry out a fresh technical and financial feasibility study for the Route 47 Solarisation Project, following recent changes in Pakistan’s electricity compensation framework. The decision comes after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) replaced the previous net metering mechanism with a net billing system. According to CBD Punjab, the regulatory change has significantly altered the financial assumptions on which the original project was designed, making it necessary to reassess the project's economic feasibility and investment outlook. The Route 47 Solarisation Project was initially estimated to cost around PKR 135 million and was planned as part of CBD Punjab’s broader strategy to integrate renewable energy solutions into urban infrastructure. However, officials believe the revised electricity compensation model requires a fresh evaluation of the project's financial sustainability before implementation can proceed. Under the new assignment, NESPAK will review the updated project cost, expected return on investment, operational savings, and long-term financial performance under the net billing regime. The study will also examine alternative implementation models and financing options to ensure the project remains commercially viable while supporting CBD Punjab’s environmental sustainability objectives. Officials said the reassessment is intended to align the project with current regulatory requirements and evolving market conditions, ensuring that public investment delivers maximum economic and environmental benefits. Once the feasibility study is completed, CBD Punjab will review NESPAK’s recommendations and decide on the most suitable implementation strategy. The authority will subsequently initiate a fresh procurement process based on the revised technical specifications, financial model, and project parameters. The Route 47 Solarisation Project forms part of CBD Punjab’s wider vision of developing energy-efficient, climate-resilient urban infrastructure and promoting greater use of renewable energy in major public development projects across Lahore.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has announced the introduction of a centralised monitoring system for all housing schemes across the province in an effort to improve transparency, ensure accurate record-keeping and strengthen regulatory oversight in the real estate sector. Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin made the announcement during a review meeting in which officials also examined progress on proposed legislation aimed at preventing illegal construction and unauthorised housing schemes. The minister said the provincial government was committed to ensuring strict compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the housing sector. He added that resolving the difficulties faced by residents of illegal and unapproved housing societies remained one of the government’s key priorities. Bilal Yasin warned that housing societies failing to register with the Housing Society Management System would face action from the relevant authorities. According to the minister, the new digital monitoring framework will combine data from the National Database and Registration Authority, digital land maps and electronic registration services. The integration is expected to help authorities verify ownership records, identify irregular transactions and reduce the risk of fraud. He also announced that Punjab had ended the practice of buying and selling plots through the traditional file system and was moving towards the issuance of Green Property Certificates. The certificates are intended to provide buyers and owners with verified property documentation and reduce disputes arising from unregistered or duplicate property files. The minister urged citizens to verify the legal status of housing societies through the Punjab Land Records Authority before purchasing a plot, house or other property. He said buyers should confirm whether a scheme had received the required approvals and whether its land and ownership records were available in the official system. Bilal Yasin said the digitisation of housing and property records would improve accountability, simplify property verification and make it more difficult for illegal developers to mislead buyers. The centralised system is also expected to allow provincial authorities to monitor the approval status, registration details and legal compliance of housing schemes through a single platform. The government believes that greater use of digital records and verified property certificates will help protect buyers, reduce fraudulent transactions and restore public confidence in Punjab’s real estate market.