Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab has begun practical measures to expand alternative sources of usable water in urban areas by 2029. The provincial government has initiated large scale planning and implementation to treat wastewater and surface water for productive use, with the objective of reducing growing reliance on groundwater and meeting future water requirements on a sustainable basis.
The Urban Water Management Plan presented to Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal reviewed various proposals and measures for developing alternative water sources in urban areas, improving wastewater treatment and promoting the efficient use of surface water.
Technical teams from the Housing Department and Punjab WASA gave the Housing Secretary a detailed briefing on the proposed plan. The plan places particular emphasis on utilizing wastewater and surface water as important alternative sources to meet the province’s future water needs.
The Housing Secretary directed the relevant authorities to take effective measures to reduce dependence on groundwater and promote alternative water sources, while ensuring the speedy implementation of a sustainable water management strategy in urban areas.
According to a spokesperson for the Housing Department, the use of surface water will be gradually expanded in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and other districts across Punjab. Significant progress in organized urban water management is expected across the province by 2029 under the plan.
The spokesperson said the Urban Water Management Plan includes the planning and implementation of wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of 800 million gallons per day. In addition, 130 million gallons per day of treated surface water is planned to be incorporated into the overall water supply system.
Under the plan, the share of usable surface water is targeted to increase from the existing 6 percent to 27 percent. Officials said international standards are being taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of water-related projects to improve both the availability and quality of water in urban areas.
The Housing Department spokesperson said protecting groundwater reserves through the development of alternative sources of usable water has become an urgent necessity. Special attention is being given to increasing the use of surface water and treated wastewater to help address the continued decline in groundwater levels.
According to the spokesperson, smart urban water management is being promoted in line with the Chief Minister Punjab’s vision. The initiative aims to develop alternative water sources in urban areas, meet future water requirements on a sustainable basis and reduce pressure on underground water reserves.
Officials said successful implementation of the plan would not only improve water availability for urban populations but also strengthen sustainable water supply infrastructure for rapidly expanding urban areas, new residential developments and future urban and real estate projects across the province.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has introduced a new digital enforcement and inspection system for properties across Lahore, aimed at improving transparency, accountability and traceability in action against illegal construction, unauthorized commercial activity, land-use violations and non payment of property dues.
The revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), effective from September 8, require enforcement proceedings to be managed through a digital file-management system. Notices issued to property owners will carry QR codes, while officials will be required to upload geo-tagged photographs and relevant supporting documents.
The new system is designed to create a digital audit trail for enforcement actions, including the issuance of notices, sealing of properties and demolition proceedings, reducing reliance on conventional paper based records and making individual cases easier to track and verify.
Under the revised framework, enforcement cases have been divided into three major categories: illegal construction, unauthorized change or use of buildings, and non-payment of property dues.
Before taking enforcement action, LDA officials will be required to conduct a detailed review of the relevant property record. This will include approved and unapproved building plans, commercialization status, existing court stays, previous exemptions or regularization, outstanding dues and fines, revenue records and available digital information relating to the property and site.
The revised procedures also establish specific response periods for property owners, providing them an opportunity to address violations before further action is taken.
Owners facing allegations of unauthorized commercial use will be given 15 days to rectify the violation, while cases involving illegal construction will have a shorter five day response period before enforcement proceedings can move forward.
The digital framework is expected to strengthen oversight of property enforcement by ensuring that actions taken by field teams are supported by documented evidence and can be reviewed through the authority's digital record.
The initiative comes as the LDA continues to intensify action against unauthorized construction and commercial activities across Lahore. By linking enforcement notices with QR codes and geo tagged evidence, the authority aims to improve monitoring of cases while providing a clearer record of the basis on which enforcement decisions are made.
The new system could also provide property owners with greater clarity regarding the status of enforcement proceedings and the violations identified against their properties, while helping the authority maintain a more organized and transparent enforcement process.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab) is set to auction two prime high-rise commercial development plots in Lahore’s CBD Quaid District on September 10, 2026, as part of its efforts to promote vertical development and attract investment to the city’s major commercial hub.
The plots, identified as 2B-25 and 2B-26, measure 13 Kanals and 11.11 Kanals, respectively. CBD Punjab has fixed a reserve price of Rs300 million per Kanal, inclusive of development charges.
At the announced reserve price, the 13-Kanal plot carries a base valuation of approximately Rs3.9 billion, while the 11.11-Kanal site has a reserve valuation of around Rs 3.33 billion. The final prices may increase depending on the bids received during the auction.
According to the auction terms, interested bidders must submit Rs20 million as earnest money to participate. The payment plan requires a 20% down payment, while the remaining amount can be paid over a period of one year.
CBD Punjab has also offered a 10% discount to successful bidders who choose to make full payment upfront.
Both sites have a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1:12, allowing substantial vertical construction and making the plots suitable for high-rise commercial projects.
Located in the CBD Quaid District in Gulberg, the plots are positioned within one of Lahore’s key emerging commercial and business zones. The auction is aimed primarily at developers and institutional investors seeking opportunities in a planned high-density commercial district.
The deadline for submission of applications is September 8, while the auction will be conducted on September 10, 2026.
The auction is expected to generate significant investor interest given the location, development potential and high density construction capacity of the two commercial sites.