Punjab Province

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan]
Director General Lahore Development Authority Tahir Farooq visited the Data Darbar Expansion Project and the under-construction Bhatti Chowk Underpass, where he reviewed in detail the pace and quality of ongoing development works.
During the visit, TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed the LDA DG on the progress of both projects. The briefing stated that finishing work is underway on the Data Darbar piazza and the underground pedestrian underpass, while work on the parking area and toilet block is also being carried out simultaneously.
LDA DG Tahir Farooq inspected various sections of the Data Darbar Expansion Project and directed officials to further improve the quality of finishing work. He instructed the relevant officers to ensure that all construction, renovation and beautification works are completed according to high standards so that better facilities can be provided to visitors.
TEPA Chief Engineer informed the LDA DG that additional teams are working on the upgradation of properties located around Data Darbar. Under the project, various works are being carried out at a fast pace to improve facilities for visitors, pedestrian movement, parking and other basic amenities.
The LDA DG also visited the under-construction Bhatti Chowk Underpass and reviewed the ongoing construction activities. The briefing stated that excavation of the Bhatti Chowk Underpass has been completed, while work on the bed is in progress. Work on the NJ barriers and walls of the project is also being carried out simultaneously.
Tahir Farooq directed the relevant authorities to further speed up construction work on the Bhatti Chowk Underpass. He said there should be no compromise on construction quality along with the timely completion of the project.
The LDA DG also directed NESPAK officials to ensure 100 percent quality at every stage of the project. He said the Data Darbar Expansion Project and Bhatti Chowk Underpass are important development projects for the city, and their completion will significantly improve traffic flow, visitor convenience and urban infrastructure.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Ring Road Authority has decided to establish service areas at six different locations along the Lahore Ring Road to improve facilities for commuters and generate additional revenue through commercial operations.
According to the authority, around 10 kanals of land has been allocated for each service area at selected points on the Ring Road. The proposed locations include Bahria Town, DHA, Haloki, Shafiqpura and other key sections of the route.
The planned service areas will provide multiple facilities for motorists and passengers, including food courts, fuel stations, parking spaces, rest areas and other essential amenities. Officials said the project is aimed at making travel on the Lahore Ring Road more convenient, safer and better equipped for daily commuters as well as long distance road users.
The Lahore Ring Road Authority has invited applications from experienced operators, firms and companies for the development and operation of these service areas. Successful bidders will be selected through a transparent and competitive process.
Under the proposed arrangement, the service areas will be leased for a period of 20 years. The successful operator will also have the option to extend the lease for another 25 years, subject to the terms and conditions set by the authority.
LRRA has set June 25, 2026, as the last date for submitting applications. Interested firms and companies have been asked to apply within the given deadline.
Officials said the project will not only improve facilities for road users but will also help increase the revenue of the Lahore Ring Road Authority. They added that the initiative is part of efforts to upgrade public infrastructure and provide modern travel-related services on major road networks in Lahore.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has welcomed the real estate and property related incentives announced in the Federal Budget 2026-27, terming them a positive step toward reviving investment, accelerating economic activity and restoring confidence in one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said the real estate and construction sectors serve as a backbone of the national economy, as dozens of industries are directly and indirectly linked with property development, construction activity and housing-related investment. He said any revival in the property market produces a wider economic impact through increased demand for construction materials, higher industrial activity, job creation and fresh investment flows.
Reacting to the federal budget after watching the budget speech at the FCCI complex, Sheikh said the government’s decision to reduce withholding tax on property transactions to 2.75 percent, along with the lowering of certain other taxes on the purchase and sale of properties, was a constructive and far reaching measure.
He said the reduction in transaction related taxes would help reactivate the real estate market, encourage genuine buyers and investors, and bring confidence back to a sector that had been under pressure due to high taxation and rising financial burdens.
According to the FCCI President, the business community had long been demanding relief for sectors that directly contribute to investment, commercial activity and employment generation. He said excessive taxation on property transactions had discouraged market participation and slowed down activity in real estate and construction linked businesses.
Sheikh said the property sector’s revival would not remain limited to buyers and sellers alone, but would also benefit allied industries including cement, steel, bricks, tiles, sanitary fittings, electrical equipment, paint, furniture and other construction-related businesses. He added that a vibrant real estate market could play an important role in supporting national income and expanding the tax base.
He appreciated the government, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the economic team for introducing budgetary relief for important sectors, saying that practical measures were needed to strengthen investor confidence and promote sustainable economic recovery.
The FCCI President said sustainable growth depends heavily on private-sector development. When businesses and investors are provided confidence, facilitation and policy continuity, the benefits appear in the form of higher production, more employment opportunities and increased economic activity, he added.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s economic challenges could be addressed through investment promotion, continuity in policies and a business-friendly taxation system. He said the government should continue consulting chambers of commerce, developers, builders, traders and other stakeholders during the budget approval process to ensure that the final measures support long-term economic revival.
Sheikh expressed optimism that the relief measures announced for the real estate sector would help restore momentum in the property market and create a positive impact across connected industries.