Punjab Province

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
Recurring urban flooding has begun taking a toll on Rawalpindi’s residential property market, with residents of flood prone neighbourhoods putting their homes up for sale as fears over worsening waterlogging and repeated inundation grow.
Residents in affected areas have reportedly started displaying “For Sale” signs outside their houses, while investors are approaching homeowners with offers that are below both prevailing market prices and the official property valuation rates notified by the deputy commissioner.
Residents of Javed Colony and Mohalla Fazalabad, including Ibadat Hussain and Nasir Ali, said they had been living in the area for around two decades but were now considering leaving because of the increasingly severe flooding.
According to the residents, floodwater has historically risen by around one to one and a half feet every year, but the situation has deteriorated significantly this year. They said single storey houses were completely submerged during the latest flooding, raising serious concerns about the safety and long-term viability of residential properties in the affected neighbourhoods.
They said the repeated flooding had transformed their localities into permanently vulnerable areas, leaving homeowners with little choice but to consider selling their properties despite receiving offers significantly below their actual value.
The situation has created an unusual pressure on the local property market. Homeowners seeking to sell quickly are reportedly facing investors who are using the flood risk to negotiate substantially lower prices. Residents fear that continued flooding could further depress property values and make it increasingly difficult for affected families to recover their investments.
Residents also identified the condition of Rawalpindi’s storm water drainage system as a major factor behind the destruction caused by heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in the inner city areas.
According to local residents, Rawalpindi has around 15 storm-water drains, but approximately 80% of them have reportedly been encroached upon by permanent structures. They argue that such encroachments have restricted the natural flow and drainage capacity of rainwater, contributing to severe flooding whenever the city receives heavy rainfall.
The recurring flooding is therefore emerging not only as an urban management and public safety issue but also as a growing real estate risk. Properties located in areas repeatedly exposed to flooding can face declining demand, reduced rental potential and difficulty in attracting buyers, while homeowners may be forced to accept discounted prices.
The situation also highlights the financial consequences of inadequate urban drainage and uncontrolled construction. For many homeowners, their property represents their largest financial asset, and a sustained decline in values caused by environmental vulnerability could result in substantial losses.
Residents have called for immediate measures to clear encroachments from storm-water drains, restore their capacity and improve the city's drainage infrastructure. They believe that without a long-term solution, repeated flooding could continue to push residents out of vulnerable neighbourhoods and place further pressure on property prices.
The emerging sell off in flood affected areas serves as a warning for urban planners, development authorities and property investors that climate resilience and drainage infrastructure are becoming increasingly important factors in determining the long term value and viability of residential real estate in Pakistan’s major cities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yingming Yang, with detailed discussions held on ongoing development projects, construction activities and future cooperation across various sectors in the province.
The meeting focused on accelerating projects aimed at improving basic public services and strengthening infrastructure, with both sides agreeing to continue cooperation in the provision of clean drinking water, healthcare and education.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed the need for ADB assistance in the development and expansion of major healthcare projects in Punjab, including cardiac, children’s and cancer hospitals. She emphasized that continued international development support would help accelerate the delivery of essential public infrastructure and healthcare facilities.
The meeting also discussed the promotion of nursing education, expansion of training opportunities in the healthcare sector and the establishment of STEM laboratories in government schools. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening Punjab’s education and healthcare infrastructure while improving access to modern learning and professional training.
The two sides also reviewed matters related to three concessional loan agreements aimed at providing modern agricultural machinery to farmers. The proposed support is intended to promote the use of modern technology and machinery in agriculture and improve farmers’ productivity.
The chief minister thanked the Asian Development Bank for its cooperation in organizing the Punjab Agri-Food Investment Forum and said development projects across the province were progressing rapidly. She said the provincial government was implementing large-scale initiatives to improve basic public facilities and accelerate infrastructure development.
Maryam Nawaz described the Punjab Economic Transformation Plan as a game changer for the province’s economic growth. She said the government was simultaneously pursuing reforms and development initiatives in employment, investment, transportation, education, healthcare and agriculture.
The chief minister further said that an additional 2,000 electric buses would be deployed on Punjab’s roads by next year, expanding the province’s modern and environmentally friendly public transport network.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further expand cooperation between Punjab and the Asian Development Bank and ensure the timely completion of ongoing development projects.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
On the directives of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been introduced to ensure greater transparency and effective monitoring of the authority’s enforcement and inspection regime.
Under the new system, enforcement actions against illegal construction, unlawful commercial use, violations of land-use regulations and non-payment of dues will be linked to a digital monitoring mechanism.
Notices issued against properties, along with sealing and demolition operations, will be digitally monitored. Through the Digital File Processing System, notices will carry QR codes, while geo-tagged photographs and relevant records will be monitored online. Sealed properties will only be de-sealed after payment of fines, legal restoration or grant of the required approval.
Under the new SOPs, properties have been divided into three major categories: illegal construction, unlawful change in the use of an existing building, and non-payment of dues. For the first time, the complete record of the de-sealing of any property will also be maintained digitally.
The SOPs clearly define the powers and responsibilities of Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors and Directors of Town Planning. All zones of the Town Planning Wing will be required to inform the relevant Chief Town Planner before initiating any sealing or demolition operation against a property.
A special committee headed by the Chief Town Planner has also been constituted to oversee the identification of illegal commercial properties, issuance, withdrawal or correction of notices, and enforcement action against unlawful commercial use.
The committee will comprise the Chief IT Officer, Director Revenue, Director Law and the concerned Director Town Planning.
Before declaring any property as an illegal commercial property, the committee will examine all relevant facts as well as its planning, legal and revenue status. It will also review the approved or unapproved building plan, temporary or permanent commercialisation status and the legal position of the property.
The committee will further examine complaints concerning properties, inspection reports, court stay orders or injunctions, as well as any prior approval, exemption, composition or regularisation granted by a competent authority.
The committee will also scrutinise outstanding dues, penalties, revenue records, digital data and site-related information. Its decisions, along with supporting records, will be uploaded to the digital system, while any subsequent correction or alteration will be made through an auditable digital trail.
Under the new SOPs, property owners will be given 15 days’ time in cases of illegal commercial use and five days in cases of illegal construction before enforcement action is taken.
The LDA administration has made it clear that negligence or failure to comply with the new SOPs will result in departmental action against the responsible officials.
On the directives of DG LDA Tahir Farooq, the Director Administration has formally issued the notification for implementation of the new enforcement SOPs.