LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the progress of the province’s 2025 26 plantation campaign, saying barren land is being transformed into green forests and the plantation of more than 50 million trees marks the beginning of a green revolution. In a message posted on X, the Chief Minister said Punjab would increasingly be recognised as a province of forests, clean air and rivers. She described the two-year plantation campaign as a major environmental achievement in the province’s history. According to figures shared by the Chief Minister, more than 50 million trees have been planted across over 54,000 acres of land throughout Punjab. A total of 3,085 rows of trees have also been developed in different parts of the province. She said thousands of acres of barren land were converted into green landscapes between October 2024 and June 2025. Plantation and forest restoration activities were carried out across a wide geographical area, extending from Bahawalpur to Dera Ghazi Khan, Murree to Muzaffargarh, Chichawatni to Faisalabad and Rahim Yar Khan to Gujranwala. According to the provincial government’s data, more than 1.8 million trees were planted across 1,500 acres at Ghazi Ghat in Muzaffargarh, while 559,000 trees were planted over 2,091 acres in Thal Maksi. More than 700,000 trees were planted across 1,470 acres in the Khanani area of Muzaffargarh, while approximately 250,000 trees were planted on 200 acres at Phakowal in Gujrat. The Chief Minister said the forest restoration programme was being expanded to Lal Sohanra, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Murree and other areas. Additional barren land is expected to be converted into forested landscapes under the next phase of the campaign. She described plantation as a gift for future generations and said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to developing a greener, healthier and environmentally sustainable Punjab. Maryam Nawaz said advanced technology was being used to protect provincial forests against illegal tree cutting, encroachments and fires. Forests and plantation sites are being monitored through the Punjab Forest Department’s Geographic Information System laboratory. Artificial intelligence enabled drones and satellite imagery are also being used at a command and control centre to monitor forest areas and identify potential threats. The digital monitoring system uses satellite technologies including Landsat, Sentinel, SPOT and WorldView. According to the Chief Minister, these systems enable the authorities to promptly detect illegal logging, forest land encroachments and incidents of fire. She said forests were a national asset and their protection was essential to securing Punjab’s green future. The Chief Minister also urged citizens to plant trees and participate in the campaign to leave a healthier and greener province for future generations.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched an extensive enforcement campaign against illegal housing schemes and unauthorized commercial properties across Lahore, significantly intensifying its efforts to curb unlawful urban development and protect planned city growth. The operation was conducted on the directives of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, with enforcement teams from the Directorate of Metropolitan Planning-IV carrying out coordinated actions against a number of unapproved housing developments in different parts of the provincial capital. According to an LDA spokesperson, officials targeted 14 illegal housing schemes, demolishing roads, boundary walls, sewerage networks and other infrastructure that had been developed without the required approvals. Authorities also sealed site offices operating within the unauthorized projects. The crackdown covered several housing developments, including Al Kabir Garden, Ammar Avenue, Canal View Farms, Ayan City Phases I and II, Ali Garden, Grand Bazaar, Kashmir Garden, New Nathoki Abadi, Ahmed Garden, Pak Homes, Mughal Homes, Suleman City, Heaven City, Al Hammad Meadows, Royal Villas, and BM Estate (also known as Muhafiz City). In a parallel enforcement drive, LDA Town Planning teams sealed 73 properties found to be operating commercially in violation of approved land-use regulations. The action was carried out in Gulberg, Faisal Town, New Muslim Town, Samanabad, and Allama Iqbal Town, where authorities identified widespread unauthorized commercial activities in residential areas. The sealed establishments included private schools, pharmacies, medical clinics, grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, auto workshops, retail shops, and offices that were functioning without the necessary planning approvals or in contravention of zoning regulations. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Metropolitan Planner Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner-I, reflecting the authority's commitment to strengthening regulatory enforcement across the city. LDA officials stated that the campaign is part of a broader strategy to discourage illegal land development, ensure compliance with urban planning laws, safeguard public interests, and promote sustainable, well-regulated urban expansion. The authority reiterated that strict action will continue against developers and businesses violating planning and land-use regulations, while urging citizens and investors to verify the legal status of housing schemes before purchasing property.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan A major step towards modernising Pakistan's judicial infrastructure was taken in Lahore as Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum laid the foundation stone of the Rs 24 billion Judicial Tower, a landmark project that will bring all subordinate courts in the provincial capital under one roof and significantly improve the delivery of justice. The Judicial Tower is one of the largest judicial infrastructure projects undertaken in Pakistan and is designed to address longstanding challenges associated with the scattered locations of subordinate courts across Lahore. By centralising judicial services, the project aims to enhance administrative efficiency, reduce delays in court proceedings, and provide greater convenience for litigants, lawyers and court staff. According to official details, the Judicial Tower will be completed within 30 months at an estimated cost of Rs 24 billion. The state-of-the-art facility will include 184 courtrooms, dedicated bar rooms, record management facilities, administrative offices and a modern multi-level parking plaza capable of accommodating the growing number of visitors and legal professionals. Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum visited the Lahore Bar Association where she inaugurated several important initiatives aimed at improving legal infrastructure, including the solarisation of subordinate courts, the establishment of an e-library and the inauguration of a dedicated female bar room. These projects are expected to improve working conditions for members of the legal community while promoting greater accessibility and sustainability within the judicial system. Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar described the Judicial Tower as a historic milestone for Pakistan's justice sector. He said the project reflected Chief Justice Aalia Neelum's commitment to strengthening judicial institutions rather than pursuing personal privileges during her tenure. The federal minister noted that the Chief Justice had consistently prioritised reforms that directly benefited litigants, lawyers and the overall judicial system. He also acknowledged the support extended by the Punjab government, particularly Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for facilitating the implementation of the ambitious project. Pakistan Bar Council member Ahsan Bhoon also hailed the Judicial Tower as a transformative development for Lahore's legal system. He credited both the Chief Justice and the Federal Law Minister for their leadership in turning the long-awaited project into reality, saying it would serve generations of legal practitioners and citizens seeking justice. The ceremony concluded with Chief Justice Aalia Neelum presenting commemorative shields to session judges, civil judges and members of the legal fraternity in recognition of their contributions to the justice system. LHC Senior Puisne Judge Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, along with other judges, senior judicial officers, lawyers and government representatives, also attended the event. Once completed, the Judicial Tower is expected to become a modern judicial hub that not only improves court operations but also strengthens public confidence in Pakistan's justice system by making judicial services more organised, efficient and accessible.