Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Acting on the directives of Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing carried out a large-scale enforcement operation against illegal commercial activities and commercial fee defaulters in various LDA-controlled areas of Lahore, sealing a total of 112 properties.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner I Asad uz Zaman and covered several major localities, including Gulberg, Faisal Town, Samanabad, Gujjarpura, Poonch Road and Allama Iqbal Town.
According to the LDA, 28 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town were sealed for the unauthorised commercial use of residential buildings. In Samanabad, Gujjarpura and Poonch Road, enforcement teams sealed 69 properties over illegal commercial use and the non-payment of commercialisation fees.
Meanwhile, during a separate recovery operation in Allama Iqbal Town, the authority sealed 15 additional properties belonging to commercial fee defaulters.
The sealed premises included a wide range of businesses and establishments, such as private schools, beauty salons, cafes, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, pharmacies, retail shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial facilities operating in violation of LDA regulations.
The Lahore Development Authority stated that the ongoing campaign is part of its efforts to curb illegal commercialisation, improve urban planning compliance and ensure that all commercial property owners fulfil their legal obligations, including the payment of commercialisation charges.
Director General Tahir Farooq reaffirmed that indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters will continue across all LDA-controlled areas, stressing that no violations of planning regulations would be tolerated regardless of the nature of the business or its location.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
DHA Lahore Phase X has become a major topic across Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms, where property dealers are publishing videos, investment guides and unofficial maps. However, a final official schedule for the project’s launch, booking, prices and balloting remains unclear.
Real estate pages are promoting Phase X as the “Future of Lahore” and presenting it as a major residential and long term investment opportunity. Several posts describe an integrated project offering modern housing, commercial districts, improved transport connections and green infrastructure.
A large number of posts claim that DHA Lahore may unveil Phase X or make an important announcement during August 2026. Some videos also refer to residential and commercial plots, a four year instalment plan and a possible ballot. Several posts, however, acknowledge that their projected dates remain subject to an official announcement by DHA Lahore.
While some real estate pages use phrases such as “officially announced” and “complete details revealed”, other detailed videos admit that the project’s confirmed location, prices, application dates, booking process and final ballot schedule have not yet been released by DHA Lahore.
DHA Lahore’s official website prominently carries a warning stating that the authority disowns advertisements, prices, instalment plans, booking offers and ballot details circulated through social media or unauthorised sources. It advises the public to rely only on information released through official DHA Lahore platforms.
At the time of review, the main notices displayed on the official website did not include a complete Phase X booking, pricing or ballot schedule. The website contained updates about existing projects, possession ceremonies, auctions and other activities, but no formal Phase X application form or payment plan was displayed in its current notices.
The volume of online discussion indicates strong investor interest in a possible new large scale DHA Lahore development. However, investing on the basis of unofficial maps, estimated prices or privately circulated booking offers could expose buyers to financial loss.
Potential investors should verify all information through DHA Lahore’s official website, verified social media accounts or authorised offices before paying money, submitting an application or purchasing a file. Until a formal announcement is issued, claims about an August launch, booking process or ballot should be treated as market expectations rather than confirmed information.

Taxila | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched the first comprehensive long-term conservation strategy for the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Taxila, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s cultural heritage preservation efforts. The initiative replaces decades of fragmented restoration work with an integrated conservation and management programme designed to safeguard one of South Asia’s most significant archaeological landscapes while ensuring its sustainable preservation for future generations.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the new strategy represents a fundamental shift from isolated conservation projects to a coordinated heritage management framework covering the entire Taxila World Heritage Property. The programme seeks to preserve the site's authenticity, integrity and Outstanding Universal Value through a multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeological research, structural conservation, environmental management, visitor services and institutional strengthening.
For decades, the World Heritage Property has faced a range of conservation challenges, including natural weathering, moisture damage, soil erosion, uncontrolled vegetation growth and increasing environmental pressures. Earlier restoration campaigns were often carried out independently without a unified management framework. In several cases, the use of reinforced concrete and cement during previous repair works caused further deterioration by damaging the original historic fabric of the monuments.
To overcome these long-standing issues, the Punjab government commissioned The Urban Unit to prepare Taxila’s first comprehensive master plan. Based on that framework, the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) developed a detailed implementation programme incorporating international conservation standards and best practices.
The strategy integrates archaeological investigations, structural conservation, environmental protection, museum development, visitor infrastructure, digital documentation, accessibility improvements and institutional capacity building into a single long-term management framework. Officials believe this holistic approach will ensure both the protection of the archaeological remains and the enhancement of visitor experience.
The first phase of the conservation programme was implemented at Mohra Moradu, one of the finest Buddhist monastic complexes of the ancient Gandhara civilisation. Restoration teams removed reinforced concrete structures that had previously been installed over the Main Votive Stupa and replaced them with a lightweight protective shelter designed in accordance with internationally recognised conservation principles.
The project also introduced improved accessibility by constructing a carefully designed earthen ramp for persons with disabilities without disturbing the site's original stone staircase. Archaeological excavations carried out during the restoration uncovered the monastery’s original drainage system and led to the rediscovery of a historic sacred water well, contributing both to improved site preservation and a deeper understanding of the monument's historical layout.
At the ancient city of Sirkap, conservation experts removed dense vegetation and accumulated debris that had concealed important archaeological remains and accelerated structural deterioration. Conservation work focused on stabilising vulnerable masonry using compatible materials and minimum-intervention techniques, avoiding speculative reconstruction while preserving the site's authenticity.
For the first time, conservation activities across the World Heritage Property have been supported by extensive scientific documentation. The programme includes archival research, archaeological investigations, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, three-dimensional laser scanning, structural condition assessments, Heritage Impact Assessments and material compatibility studies. These technical surveys establish a comprehensive baseline for future monitoring, maintenance and conservation planning.
A key outcome of the initiative is the preparation of Taxila’s first-ever Conservation Management Plan, which sets out long-term policies for conservation, routine maintenance, visitor management, disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring and institutional coordination. The strategy also strengthens legal and spatial protection through the establishment of buffer zones around the World Heritage Property's component sites.
In addition, the government has developed proposals to modernise visitor facilities, improve interpretation centres, enhance museum displays and strengthen site presentation to better communicate Taxila’s historical, archaeological and cultural significance to both domestic and international visitors.
Officials believe the integrated conservation strategy will not only preserve one of Pakistan’s most valuable archaeological treasures but also establish a sustainable model for the long-term management of World Heritage sites across the country.