Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed a comprehensive survey of dilapidated and hazardous buildings across all cities of the province immediately after the monsoon season, while also ordering the early completion of projects under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) Phase One.

A special meeting on the Punjab Development Programme was held under the chair of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, during which detailed progress on ongoing projects, as well as measures related to sewerage, drainage, and urban infrastructure, were reviewed. All Deputy Commissioners across Punjab participated in the meeting via video link.

The Chief Minister ordered the preparation of a case study for PDP Phase One, along with an impact assessment report on sewerage and drainage projects. She also directed that public feedback on the projects be compiled to evaluate the real impact of improved civic facilities.

The meeting reviewed ongoing development schemes under the Punjab Development Programme in various cities including Vehari, Burewala, Tandlianwala, Jaranwala, Jalalpur Jattan, Sambrial, Muridke, Khudian, Kabirwala, Chak Jhumra, Bhalwal, and Attock.

Progress on projects in Kamalia, Toba Tek Singh, Gojra, Ali Pur Chattha, Chichawatni, Daska, Layyah, Sillanwali, Wazirabad, Bahawalnagar, and Mailsi was also reviewed, while reports from Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot were presented.

The meeting was informed that underground water storage tanks have become fully operational in 29 cities of Punjab, while construction is ongoing in 21 additional cities.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif appreciated the performance of district administrations, WASA, and Suthra Punjab teams for their effective response during the monsoon season in drainage management and emergency situations.

She lauded Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain Ali Ijaz for remaining present on-site for 27 consecutive hours during the Bagbanpura incident and supervising rescue operations until the last citizen was recovered from the debris.

The Chief Minister also praised Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala Naveed Ahmed Sheikh for completing drainage operations in less than six hours despite record rainfall in the city.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that significant improvement in drainage has been observed following the installation of new sewerage systems in various cities. She added that Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, WASA, and Suthra Punjab teams performed effectively during the monsoon season.

She further said that officers and staff who worked day and night to facilitate citizens and resolve their difficulties during the rains deserve full appreciation.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial use and non-payment of commercial fees, sealing 75 properties across different parts of the city.
Acting on the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, teams from the Town Planning Wing conducted operations in LDA controlled areas, including Faisal Town, Canal Road, Samanabad, Poonch Road and Azam Garden.
According to the LDA, 16 properties were sealed in Faisal Town for the illegal commercial use of residential premises, while another 49 properties were sealed on Canal Road, Samanabad and Poonch Road over unauthorised commercial activity and non-payment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation in Azam Garden, LDA teams sealed 10 additional properties, taking the total number of sealed properties to 75.
Officials said the sealed properties included private schools, academies, beauty salons, cafes, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, clinics, pharmacies, shops, showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad uz Zaman. LDA officials said notices had been issued to the owners of the properties regarding regulatory violations and payment of outstanding dues before enforcement action was taken.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings, unauthorised commercial use and commercial fee defaulters would continue across LDA controlled areas.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
Property registrations across Rawalpindi District have slowed significantly following the implementation of a mandatory physical property inspection requirement for all land transactions, according to property dealers and local reports. The new procedure, introduced as part of the land registration process, requires revenue officials to complete on site verification before any sale can be formally registered.
Under the revised rules, patwaris and girdawars must physically inspect each property, verify its boundaries, measure the land, record details of the adjoining road network and prepare the relevant land records before registration documents can be processed. Official notices displayed at registrar offices state that these inspections are compulsory for every property offered for sale.
The additional verification step has reportedly caused delays at registrar offices throughout the district, with property professionals saying the registration process has become considerably slower than before. According to the Property Dealers Union, transactions that were previously completed within approximately two days are now taking as long as two weeks because inspections by both the patwari and the girdawar must be completed before registration can proceed.
The union also argued that the new requirement has reduced the effectiveness of Punjab's recently introduced Green Property Certificate system, which was designed to simplify and accelerate property transactions through greater digitisation and transparency.
Property dealers further highlighted that internet connectivity issues continue to disrupt online registration services, forcing greater reliance on manual field inspections. They contend that the combination of technical challenges and mandatory physical verification has created additional procedural hurdles for buyers and sellers.
Industry representatives have expressed concern that the extended registration process could create more opportunities for administrative delays and discretionary practices, potentially affecting ordinary citizens, investors and overseas Pakistanis seeking to buy or transfer property in Rawalpindi.
Despite the criticism from stakeholders, the mandatory inspection requirement remains in force, with authorities requiring physical verification as part of efforts to ensure the accuracy of land records and property boundaries before ownership transfers are officially recorded.