Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab is bracing for its ninth and final monsoon spell, with heavy rainfall forecast across several districts from September 13 to September 17, prompting authorities to issue warnings about urban flooding and landslides.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has identified Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad among the major Punjab cities at risk of urban flooding during the latest spell. The authority has warned that intense rainfall could place additional pressure on drainage systems and cause water accumulation, particularly in low-lying and vulnerable urban areas.
According to the PDMA, the intensity of rainfall could exceed the capacity of drainage networks in some locations, increasing the risk of temporary flooding on roads, in residential areas and at other vulnerable points.
The authority has also issued a landslide warning for Murree, the Galiyat region and other mountainous areas of Punjab. Persistent or heavy rainfall in these areas could destabilise slopes and create risks for residents, motorists and tourists travelling through mountainous routes.
Authorities have advised people living in flood-prone and landslide-sensitive areas to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel during intense rainfall and follow official weather and emergency advisories.
The latest monsoon activity is not limited to Punjab. Several districts of Sindh are also expected to receive rainfall. Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Hyderabad and Khairpur are forecast to experience rain from the evening of September 13 through September 16.
Karachi is also expected to receive rainfall from September 14 through September 16, raising the possibility of water accumulation and disruption in vulnerable parts of the city.
With the monsoon season approaching its final spell, disaster management authorities have urged relevant departments to maintain preparedness, monitor vulnerable locations and ensure timely response in the event of flooding, landslides or other weather related emergencies.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has faced another delay despite the completion of its 38.6 kilometre route, as the installation of toll booths, handover procedures and final approvals are still pending.
With the physical construction of the route completed, the project now requires the completion of key administrative and operational procedures before it can be formally opened to traffic. Toll booth installation and the handover process between the relevant authorities are among the remaining tasks, followed by the required final approvals.
Meanwhile, the project cost has increased by around Rs3.5 billion due to inflation and rising construction expenses, adding to the financial pressure surrounding the scheme.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road is considered an important urban infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion and providing an alternative route around the city. The project is expected to improve connectivity between different parts of the Rawalpindi region and reduce pressure on existing urban roads.
Once fully operational, the Ring Road is expected to facilitate smoother traffic movement and support the city’s expanding urban areas. However, the latest delay means commuters will have to wait longer before the completed route becomes fully operational.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab has intensified measures to eliminate the involvement of private individuals in the patwari system, while a crackdown by the Anti-Corruption Establishment has triggered protests by patwaris in several districts, leading to the closure of patwar khanas and causing difficulties for citizens.
In the Rawalpindi Division, the Anti-Corruption Establishment has taken action against private clerks working with patwaris inside patwar khanas and registered cases against several individuals. Officials said no private person is allowed to operate from a patwar khana, deal with citizens, or collect money in exchange for land records, fards or other official documents.
Anti-corruption authorities have made it clear that patwaris must perform their official duties themselves. Following the crackdown, patwaris in Rawalpindi stopped work in protest, affecting land-record services, issuance of fards, property transactions and other related matters.
According to media reports, patwar khanas in Lahore and several other parts of Punjab remained closed for seven consecutive days, forcing citizens to make repeated visits to government offices for routine land-record and property-related services.
It is worth noting that the relocation of patwar khanas to government buildings in Punjab is not a new development. In March 2022, reports said patwar khanas in 36 districts and 145 tehsils of Punjab had been shifted to government buildings.