LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan] The Punjab government has taken a major step towards establishing the Maryam Nawaz Sports City in Lahore by approving a feasibility study for the project. The initiative aims to provide international standard sports facilities in the province and develop a modern sports complex of global standing. According to the proposed plan, the sports city will be developed over approximately 300 acres in Lahore. The feasibility study will assess the estimated cost, financial sustainability, environmental impact, technical requirements and other key aspects of the project to support an effective and well informed decision regarding its implementation. A detailed survey of the proposed site will also be conducted. The assessment will examine land availability, accessibility, geographical conditions, possible traffic impact, geotechnical investigations, utility systems, environmental concerns and social implications. Under the proposed master plan, the sports city will include a multipurpose outdoor stadium, a multisport indoor complex, an Olympic standard swimming arena, a velodrome, a squash arena, lawn tennis courts, padel tennis courts and futsal facilities. The project will also feature an archery complex, multipurpose sports grounds, a sports institute, hostels for athletes, administrative offices, commercial areas, restaurants, extensive parking facilities, a modern road network, landscaping, utility infrastructure and other public amenities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab School Education Department has revised its building fitness certificate policy for private schools, allowing educational institutions to obtain the mandatory certificate from any engineer or engineering consultancy firm registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). The move is expected to streamline the registration process and reduce administrative delays for private schools across the province. Under the previous policy, private schools were required to obtain building fitness certificates exclusively from the Punjab Communication and Works (C&W) Department before completing their registration. With the latest notification, schools now have the flexibility to seek certification from qualified PEC registered professionals, providing an alternative to the earlier government-only mechanism. Despite the procedural relaxation, the department has reiterated that a building fitness certificate remains a compulsory requirement for the registration and continued operation of private educational institutions. Officials said the revised policy is intended to facilitate compliance without compromising building safety standards. Chief Executive Officer (Education) Tariq Mahmood said that ensuring structurally safe school buildings remains a top priority for the government. He urged private school operators in Lahore and across Punjab to obtain the required fitness certificates without delay and ensure that their institutions meet all prescribed safety requirements to protect students, teachers and other staff members. The School Education Department has also instructed all district registration authorities to implement the revised policy immediately and accept building fitness certificates issued by PEC registered civil engineers and engineering firms in accordance with the new guidelines. The policy change is expected to provide greater convenience for private schools while preserving regulatory oversight and reinforcing the government's commitment to safe educational infrastructure throughout Punjab.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the digital portal for the Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat scheme in the wake of the Kahna tragedy. The initiative aims to strengthen weak and dilapidated roofs, prevent loss of life and provide interest free financial assistance to low income families. Under the scheme, residents of Punjab will be eligible for interest free loans of up to Rs500,000 to repair and strengthen the roofs of their homes. They will also be able to obtain loans of up to Rs1 million for the construction of an additional room or a second floor. On the chief minister’s directions, the monthly instalments have also been reduced significantly. The monthly instalment for a Rs500,000 loan will be approximately Rs4,700, while repayments for larger loans will be capped at around Rs9,300 per month. Applicants can submit their applications online through acag.punjab.gov.pk. Applications can also be filed at the offices of deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency. A dedicated helpline, 0800-09100, has also been established for public assistance. Addressing the launch ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said a home was not merely a structure made of bricks and stone but a symbol of safety and protection. She said the deaths of innocent children in the Kahna roof collapse tragedy had prompted the government to take practical steps to make homes across Punjab safer. She said the government would bear the processing fee and other related charges under the Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat scheme. The application process has been kept simple, while borrowers will also receive a three month grace period before repayment begins. According to the chief minister, the project is intended to provide safe housing to low income families and prevent loss of life and property caused by heavy rains, windstorms and unsafe or deteriorating structures. She expressed hope that the initiative would help strengthen vulnerable homes across Punjab and provide residents with a greater sense of security.