Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Walled City of Lahore Authority has launched a comprehensive safety campaign in the historic inner-city area ahead of the monsoon season, completing a detailed structural survey of residential and heritage buildings.
According to the authority, a total of 254 unsafe buildings were identified during the survey. Of these, 101 were declared repairable, and their owners were issued notices directing them to carry out immediate restoration and safety work.
Officials said 105 dilapidated buildings had already been vacated as a precautionary measure, while 48 critically dangerous structures had been declared unfit for habitation and recommended for demolition or controlled removal.
Property owners have also been instructed to either undertake urgent repairs or vacate the buildings without delay to prevent any loss of life or property.
The authority said continuous monitoring of unsafe structures was under way. It has also directed residents and property owners to ensure the timely cleaning of rooftops, drains, sewers and downpipes to reduce the risk of damage during heavy monsoon rainfall.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Lahore Development Authority Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmad, accompanied by LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, visited the Bhati Chowk Underpass and Data Darbar Expansion Project to review the progress of ongoing construction and finishing works.
During the visit, officials briefed them on the current status of both development projects.
The officials said the main construction work on the Bhati Chowk Underpass had been completed, while finishing work was being carried out at a fast pace. Solar lights have been installed around the underpass, and road signage is also being placed to improve traffic flow and guide commuters.
The delegation was further informed that finishing work on the pedestrian underpass was progressing rapidly. Work on the parking area and landscaped green spaces was also nearing completion.
Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain briefed the officials on the challenges caused by monsoon rains and outlined the measures being taken to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater from the project area.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq directed the relevant teams to complete all finishing work before the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri.
He said the timely completion of the project was essential to facilitate devotees, visitors and commuters expected to arrive in large numbers during the religious events.
The director general also ordered the deployment of drainage teams in two shifts to ensure the prompt removal of rainwater and an immediate response to any situation arising from heavy monsoon rainfall.
Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmad directed the authorities to clear the roads surrounding the underpass at the earliest and complete all remaining work within the stipulated timeframe so the project could become fully operational for the public.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
Divisional Commissioner Mussarat Jabeen has directed all relevant government departments to expedite the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and complete outstanding legal requirements for private housing schemes awaiting approval from the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA), aiming to accelerate development and improve public access to essential services.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the commissioner to review the approval process for private housing schemes and identify the key factors causing delays.
During the meeting, FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhary informed participants that a number of housing schemes remain pending because concerned departments have not yet issued the required NOCs or completed other mandatory legal formalities.
Commissioner Jabeen instructed all institutions involved in the approval process to strengthen coordination and treat pending NOCs and related documentation as a priority. She stressed that unnecessary delays in approvals not only slow down development but also prevent residents from receiving essential civic amenities such as electricity and natural gas connections.
She further directed the Deputy Commissioner to regularly monitor the progress of housing schemes under FDA review and ensure that issues delaying approvals are resolved without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
In addition to speeding up approvals, the commissioner emphasized the importance of public safety in private housing developments. She ordered authorities to ensure that all sewerage manholes are fitted with protective covers and that additional safety measures are implemented wherever required to prevent accidents.
Warning against negligence, Jabeen said strict action would be taken against any individual or department found responsible for incidents resulting in loss of life or property due to inadequate safety arrangements.
The meeting reflects the administration's broader effort to streamline the approval process for private housing projects, improve inter-departmental coordination, and ensure that new housing developments comply with legal and safety standards while delivering timely services to residents.