Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq paid a late night visit to Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and Data Darba to inspect ongoing development and finishing works during the night shift. Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain briefed the LDA DG on progress made on the project and the various development works completed so far.
The LDA DG inspected finishing work around the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and directed the concerned officials to complete all remaining works promptly and according to the required standards, ensuring improved travel and pedestrian facilities for citizens and visitors.
Tahir Farooq said a green area and walking street had been developed outside Data Darbar, while streetlights and decorative lighting around the shrine had illuminated the entire area and enhanced its overall appearance. He said the improvements were aimed at creating a better, safer and more comfortable environment for visitors and citizens.
The LDA DG said construction of the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and remodelling of the adjoining road had resulted in a visible improvement in traffic flow in the area. The project, he added, had helped ease traffic pressure while making access to Data Darbacomparativelyasier for visitors.
Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain told the LDA DG that footpaths had been developed along Circular Road, along with designated parking space for vehicles. These facilities, he said, would help improve pedestrian movement and traffic management in the area.
He further said finishing work on the pedestrian underpass constructed to facilitate visitors was nearing completion and would be completed shortly. The LDA DG inspected different sections of the pedestrian underpass and reviewed the quality and pace of the remaining finishing work.
Tahir Farooq also inspected the public toilets and parking area developed for visitors and directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all facilities were made fully operational and remained accessible to the public.
The LDA DG directed the relevant departments to ensure that finishing and other remaining works on the ongoing development project were completed without unnecessary delay. He also stressed maintaining high standards of cleanliness, lighting, pedestrian access and other public facilities around the project area.
Representatives of the contractor, TEPA and NESPAK were also present during the visit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to expand secret surveys and monitoring to assess the performance of the Suthra Punjab Programme and Model Village projects, particularly the quality of sanitation services and progress against prescribed targets.
According to government sources, the covert monitoring exercise will assess the gap between official claims and conditions on the ground. Officials and field staff found responsible for poor performance, irregularities or failure to meet targets may face disciplinary action.
Sources said sanitation operations, field activities and progress on Model Village projects would be closely monitored to determine whether the targets set by the government were being achieved. The Chief Minister’s Inspection Team and other relevant government agencies are being engaged in the secret survey process to conduct unannounced inspections of sanitation conditions and public services in different areas.
The survey will examine the overall standard of cleanliness, timely removal of waste, presence and performance of field staff, utilisation of available resources and the quality of services being provided to citizens. Progress on sanitation and development-related initiatives under the Model Village projects will also be assessed.
The government has made it clear that negligence, poor performance, corruption and misuse of public resources under the Suthra Punjab Programme will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for persistent lapses in sanitation operations or failure to address public complaints promptly.
Sources said daily digital monitoring of the programme has also been initiated. Under the system, sanitation operations, field activities and progress on various projects are being reviewed on a daily basis. The digital mechanism is aimed at maintaining performance records of relevant institutions and identifying underperforming areas at an early stage.
The government has directed the departments and field agencies concerned to further improve sanitation services, ensure full implementation of assigned targets and guarantee prompt resolution of complaints received from the public.
Officials said the secret surveys and digital monitoring were intended not merely to identify shortcomings but also to improve the quality of services delivered under the Suthra Punjab Programme and ensure that public facilities and sanitation services reach citizens effectively.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has moved to establish a dedicated Enforcement Directorate aimed at consolidating and strengthening action against illegal housing schemes, unauthorized construction, encroachments and violations of approved planning and development regulations across the authority’s jurisdiction.
The proposed directorate is intended to bring enforcement related functions under a coordinated mechanism, enabling the RDA to take more effective and results-oriented action against violations that have continued to pose challenges to regulated urban development in Rawalpindi.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and RDA Director General Salman Ghani reviewed the proposed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the new directorate and discussed the mechanism through which different operational departments of the authority would work together.
According to the proposed operational framework presented by RDA Director Administration Nosheen Israr, officials and officers from the authority’s Town Planning, Building Control, Estate Management and Land Development departments will play an integral role in enforcement operations.
The proposed directorate will specifically focus on illegal and unapproved housing schemes, encroachments, unauthorized construction, buildings violating approved rules and other breaches of planning and development regulations.
The move is aimed at overcoming coordination gaps between different RDA departments and creating a more centralized enforcement structure. Under the proposed arrangement, relevant departments would be able to coordinate inspections, identify violations and take enforcement action through a unified mechanism.
The RDA is also considering seeking operational assistance from the Punjab Police, Rawalpindi, as well as the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) Force, particularly during enforcement operations where additional security or field support may be required.
Commissioner Salman Ghani directed officials to finalize the Terms of Reference for the proposed Enforcement Directorate at the earliest so that the new mechanism could be made operational on a professional and effective basis.
The initiative comes amid increased efforts by the authorities to strengthen enforcement of building bylaws and planning regulations across Rawalpindi district. The proposed directorate could significantly expand the RDA’s capacity to monitor development activity and respond to violations through a more structured enforcement system.
The move is also significant for the city's property sector, where unauthorized housing schemes, illegal construction and encroachments can create serious risks for property buyers and investors. Unapproved developments may expose purchasers to legal disputes, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties in obtaining formal approvals and property-related services.
If implemented effectively, the dedicated enforcement structure could provide a more coordinated regulatory framework for Rawalpindi's rapidly expanding urban areas and strengthen action against developments that bypass approved planning requirements.
The proposed Enforcement Directorate is therefore being viewed as an important step toward improving regulatory oversight, protecting planned urban development and ensuring greater compliance with building and land use regulations across the RDA's jurisdiction.