Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited Inner Circular Road and Bhatti Chowk to review the pilot urban regeneration project. Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed him on the progress of the project, traffic management measures and improvements in civic facilities.
The DG LDA was informed that the upgrade of Inner Circular Road includes improved pedestrian pathways, footpaths, seating areas and organized parking facilities. The measures are aimed at improving traffic and parking management while enhancing the overall urban environment of the historic area.
Officials said the construction of a U-turn at Bhatti Chowk leading towards Inner Circular Road has improved traffic flow, while the upgrade project is also providing a more organized parking arrangement along the road.
Tahir Farooq said the urban regeneration initiative has improved basic civic facilities along Inner Circular Road. He added that building facades from Bhatti Chowk towards Urdu Bazaar have also been upgraded, along with the installation of uniform signage. The measures are intended to improve the overall appearance of the area, pedestrian movement and public facilities.
The DG LDA directed the relevant authorities to further improve the finishing of all development works and ensure the removal of hanging wires along the road and buildings. He stressed that quality, cleanliness and public convenience should remain key priorities throughout the project.
He said the experience and outcomes of the Inner Circular Road pilot project would provide a basis for upgrading other sections of the road along similar lines. The initiative aims to improve modern civic facilities, traffic management and the overall urban environment in key commercial and historic areas of the walled city.
Officials from TEPA and LDA were also present during the visit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of shares in Masood Textile Mills Limited by UAE-based Velora Global Ventures F.Z.C., clearing the transaction after a Phase I competition assessment under the Competition Act, 2010.
The approved transaction involves the purchase of shareholding from two Chinese companies — Shanghai Challenge Textile Company Limited and Zhejiang Xinao Industry Company Limited — under a Share Purchase Agreement.
Velora Global Ventures is registered with the Ajman Free Zone Authority in the United Arab Emirates and operates in wholesale trading of textiles and clothing as well as commercial brokerage activities outside Pakistan.
Its associated companies, Gulf Textile Sourcing F.Z.C. and Zara Textile Trading F.Z.C., are engaged in international textile sourcing and trading, customer development and order coordination, giving the group an established presence in global textile supply chains.
Masood Textile Mills is a publicly listed Pakistani textile manufacturer involved in the production and sale of cotton and synthetic-fibre yarn, knitted and dyed fabrics, and garments.
During its Phase I review, the CCP examined whether the proposed acquisition could substantially lessen competition in relevant markets or create or strengthen a dominant market position.
The commission found that Velora Global Ventures had no pre merger market presence in Pakistan. It therefore concluded that the acquisition was not expected to materially change Masood Textile Mills’ existing output, domestic sales or overall market position.
The regulator also assessed the potential vertical relationship between Velora’s international textile trading activities and Masood Textile Mills’ manufacturing operations.
According to the CCP, the relationship did not raise competition concerns, while the transaction was also not expected to create significant barriers to entry or substantially increase the acquirer’s market power.
On the basis of its assessment, the commission authorized the acquisition under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010.
The approval clears the competition-law aspect of the transaction and allows the proposed share acquisition to proceed, subject to any other applicable regulatory or legal requirements.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched a fresh round of repair and upgradation work on nine major underpasses along Canal Bank Road, only a few years after the same facilities underwent a renovation project costing around Rs 300 million.
The latest work was reviewed during a meeting of the LDA Engineering Wing chaired by Director General Tahir Farooq, where officials briefed the meeting on ongoing repair and restoration activities along the corridor extending from Thokar Niaz Baig to Mall Road.
According to officials, the current upgradation programme includes asphalt laying, improvement of road signage and restoration of various infrastructure components at the underpasses. The LDA DG directed the concerned teams to ensure that the work is carried out according to required quality standards and that durable materials and construction practices are used to prevent repeated maintenance.
The latest intervention follows concerns over the condition of renovation work carried out several years ago by the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA).
Under the earlier project, existing tiles on the walls of nine underpasses were removed and replaced with a rock-wall finish. At the time, TEPA officials had stated that the new treatment was expected to have a longer service life and help reduce annual repair and maintenance costs.
However, the rock wall treatment reportedly deteriorated within about three years, while several decorative lights installed as part of the beautification project were also stolen. Some of the underpasses were subsequently repainted, raising questions about the durability and sustainability of the previous renovation.
The nine underpasses covered under the earlier project were Doctor’s Hospital Underpass, Jinnah Hospital Underpass, Punjab University Underpass, Muslim Town Underpass, Ferozepur Road Underpass, FC College Underpass, Jail Road Underpass, Mall Road Underpass and Dharampura Underpass.
The new restoration programme is part of the LDA's broader efforts to improve road infrastructure and the condition of major traffic corridors in Lahore. The authority has instructed field teams to focus not only on the appearance of the underpasses but also on the quality and longevity of the rehabilitation work.
The renewed intervention also highlights the need for infrastructure projects to incorporate stronger maintenance, durability and protection measures so that public funds spent on urban rehabilitation do not lead to repeated repair costs within a short period.