Punjab Province

Lahore | Riaz Hussain | ReNews Pakistan
The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has secured financial relief amounting to Rs 64.1 million for citizens by taking effective action on complaints lodged against the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
According to a spokesman for the Ombudsman Punjab, the office received 38 complaints of various nature against WASA authorities. Following thorough investigations, orders were issued in accordance with the law, leading to the resolution of the grievances.
The complaints primarily related to the correction of water bills, installation and restoration of water connections, and installation of water meters. The spokesman said the Ombudsman Punjab's timely intervention and effective directives ensured Rs 64.1 million Rs 64.1 million to citizens.
The complainants expressed their gratitude to the Ombudsman Punjab for the prompt redressal of their grievances, transparent handling of their cases, and the provision of effective administrative justice. They also reaffirmed their confidence in the institution for safeguarding citizens' rights through swift and impartial complaint resolution.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Development Authority has reopened the city’s only multi storey parking plaza at Fawara Chowk after a 20 day closure caused by unpaid dues totaling Rs 48.2 million.
The authority has taken direct control of the facility and introduced a self collection system, under which RDA staff will manage daily parking operations and collect revenue directly.
According to official sources, the previous contractor had failed to clear outstanding payments for seven consecutive months. The dispute later reached court, where the contractor reportedly offered to pay Rs 15 million. The RDA rejected the proposal and maintained that the full outstanding amount must be paid.
The parking plaza was sealed on July 12. Although the authority subsequently secured a court ruling in its favour, the facility remained closed for 20 days, resulting in an estimated daily revenue loss of more than Rs 100,000.
The closure also created considerable difficulties for motorists and traders in the heavily congested Fawara Chowk area, as the plaza is Rawalpindi’s only purpose built multi storey parking facility.
The facility resumed operations on August 1. To strengthen financial oversight and ensure timely transfer of collected revenue into the authority’s accounts, the RDA has established a Vigilance and Revenue Collection Committee.
Officials said the new arrangement is intended to improve transparency, prevent revenue leakage and ensure more effective management of the parking facility.
The authority has also decided to award the parking contract through an open auction scheduled for August 17. The bidding process is expected to introduce a new operator under revised terms and stronger monitoring mechanisms.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has sealed a total of 79 properties during a major operation against illegal commercial activities and the non payment of commercialisation fees across different parts of the city.
According to an LDA spokesperson, the operation was launched by the Town Planning Wing on the instructions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and was supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad uz Zaman.
LDA teams carried out enforcement action in Gulberg, Model Town, Canal Road, Gulshan e Ravi, Poonch Road and Mustafa Town, targeting properties found to be operating in violation of planning and commercialisation regulations.
Officials said 30 properties were sealed in Gulberg and Model Town for unauthorised commercial use. Another 38 properties were sealed along Canal Road, in Gulshan e Ravi and on Poonch Road over illegal commercial activity and the non-payment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation in Mustafa Town, LDA teams sealed an additional 11 properties.
The sealed premises included private schools, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, pharmacies, shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said enforcement action against illegal commercial use, building control violations and commercial fee defaulters would continue without discrimination to ensure effective implementation of urban planning regulations across Lahore.