Punjab Province

Unity Heights, a 15-storey residential apartment project near DHA Phases VI and VII on Bedian Road, held its grand launch ceremony, drawing a large gathering of property dealers, investors and other real estate professionals. Attendees included former Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Basit; former DHA Estate Agents Association Lahore chairman Dr Khalid Mahmood Chaudhry; Friends Business Group Patron-in-Chief Rana Iftikhar Ahmed, President Nasir Siddiqui and Secretary Khurram Chaudhry; and prominent real estate businessmen Arshad Najmi, Shahid Yaqoob, Sheikh Javed Iqbal, Hafiz Nauman bin Zia, Murtaza Ramay and Ahsan Ali. Speakers said the project occupied a prime location and would help meet demand for quality housing in the area. They described Malik Shahid Iqbal, CEO of Unity Developers and owner of the project, as a committed and accomplished builder, congratulating him on the development and wishing him success. Speaking exclusively to ReNews Pakistan, Iqbal said the project addressed a local need and had attracted a strong response from both investors and end users. “The project has 15 floors and 321 units, with apartment sizes starting at 390 square feet and penthouses extending to around 4,000 square feet,” he said. Iqbal added that the development could accommodate offices as well as residences, with amenities including grocery, pharmacy and laundry facilities. He said basement construction had been completed and work was expected to rise above ground level within the next few days. “Our delivery timeline is three years, but, God willing, we will hand over the project well ahead of schedule,” he said. Asked about payment options, Iqbal said the project offered a three-year payment plan with easy instalments. Discussing the project’s professional team, he identified Turk Pak as the consultant and ABS as the designer, adding that experienced professionals had also been engaged for other services. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of shields to dealers and investors in recognition of their performance, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) held a public hearing on the environmental aspects of the Lahore Division Master Plan 2050, where participants were informed that residential and commercial high rise development would be promoted as part of planning to accommodate future housing needs, population growth and urban expansion. Presentations at the hearing, held at the LDA Sports Complex in Gulberg, outlined the urban requirements of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib. Alongside housing and construction, the master plan covers public transport, roads, water supply, sewerage, education, healthcare, industry and green spaces. Consultants told participants that projected population growth and future housing demand were key considerations in the planning process. The proposed promotion of residential and commercial high rises was being considered alongside civic infrastructure, transport requirements and pedestrian needs. The hearing was also informed that planning for areas associated with the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), the Central Business District (CBD), cantonments and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was being incorporated into the Lahore master plan. Developers and other stakeholders were also being engaged to address environmental pollution linked to urban development. Punjab Environmental Protection Agency Additional Director General (Operations) Sharjeel Hafeez Wattoo and the LDA’s chief metropolitan planner attended the hearing. The chief metropolitan planner and project consultants explained the need for the Master Plan 2050 and its significance, saying suggestions on environmental pollution submitted during the hearing would be reviewed. International consultancy Dar Al Handasah and Asian Consulting Engineers briefed participants on different aspects of the planning framework. Dar Al Handasah representatives said environmental impact assessment considerations were informing the preparation of the master plan. According to the consultants, the framework also takes account of smog, environmental pollution, uncontrolled industrial expansion and wider social and economic challenges. Public consultation and recommendations from the Environment Protection Department were being incorporated into the planning process. Punjab EPA Director Fouzia Akram briefed participants on smog, pollution and related concerns, while environmental experts Aleem Butt and Rafay Alam discussed the causes of pollution and measures to address them. Architect and Lahore Bachao Tehreek member Kamil Khan Mumtaz spoke about different stages of the master planning process. He said the work was proceeding with the global environmental crisis in view and described a prosperous Lahore that remained a centre of civilisation as a primary objective of the Master Plan 2050. Participants were further informed that culture, parks, greenery, agriculture, drainage and water requirements formed part of the framework, allowing future urban and residential development to be considered alongside the infrastructure and services needed to support it. LDA and Environment Protection Department officials, consultants, stakeholders, residents and students attended the hearing. Consultants answered questions from residents and students during the concluding session.