Punjab Province

Lahore: ReNews Pakistan
President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faheem ur Rehman Sehgal, has stated that the increasing electricity load shedding in the country has pushed the industrial sector into a severe crisis, making it difficult to achieve export targets.
Addressing a press conference along with other office bearers, he said that load shedding and lockdown measures are badly affecting business activities. He added that causing losses to traders in the name of energy conservation is unacceptable.
The Chamber president also expressed concerns over the actions of the para force, stating that overstepping authority is aggravating the situation. He emphasized that the current mechanism of implementing lockdown is ineffective and needs immediate review by the government.
Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said that industrial production is being affected due to electricity shortages, while the increase in fuel prices has further fueled inflation.
He further noted that unrest during market closures is unfortunate, and the electric vehicle (EV) policy in the country cannot succeed without a reliable power supply. Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Shavez Tahir Malik, Abdul Majeed, and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Lahore: [Re News Pakistan]
A positive development has emerged for journalists in Lahore as the scrutiny process for Journalist Colony Phase II has entered its final stages at a rapid pace.
Secretary Information Punjab, Tahir Raza Hamdani, while speaking to the media, stated that the scrutiny process for Phase II is progressing swiftly and is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
He said that the issuance of allotment letters will begin immediately after the completion of scrutiny, expressing strong hope that eligible journalists will receive their allotment letters by next month, May.
Tahir Raza Hamdani added that the government is taking serious steps for the welfare of journalists, and Journalist Colony Phase II is an important part of these efforts. The completion of this project will not only provide housing facilities to the journalist community but will also fulfill their long-standing demand.

Lahore | Re News Pakistan
The Lahore High Court has upheld the government’s policy regarding free electricity units for officers of power distribution companies, ruling in favor of monetization. The court dismissed a petition filed by the GEPCO Engineers and Officers Association and maintained the notification issued on December 5, 2023, under which free electricity units for officers in BPS-17 and above were converted into monetary compensation.
In its judgment, the court observed that free electricity units were not a permanent or legal right but rather a concessional benefit, which the government is empowered to modify or withdraw under its administrative policies. The petitioners failed to establish that the benefit formed part of their salary or was protected under any law.
The ruling further stated that such benefits do not become part of service conditions unless they are granted legal status. According to the court, no violation of fundamental rights was proven, and the matter falls within the employer-employee relationship.
The court also clarified that having separate policies for different grades does not constitute discrimination, as officers in BPS-17 and above belong to a distinct cadre.
Terming the Power Division’s policy as reasonable and financially justified, the court noted that the power sector is facing serious challenges, including circular debt, making measures like monetization necessary.
The judgment emphasized that the facility has not been withdrawn but converted into cash, and there is no evidence suggesting any adverse impact on overall salaries.
The court reiterated that judicial interference in policy matters is limited and that policies cannot be struck down unless they are illegal or made in bad faith.
Justice Malik Javed Iqbal Wains issued the detailed 14-page written judgment, while Assistant Attorney General Malik Tanveer Ahmed Awan assisted the court on behalf of the federation.