Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
In a message on the occasion of World Zero Waste Day in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that cleaning the planet from pollution is a collective responsibility of all of us. She urged citizens to abandon the use of plastic and adopt waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable consumption practices to ensure a clean and safe environment.
She said that under the globally recognized “Suthra Punjab Programme,” practical steps are being taken to make all cities of Punjab zero waste. For the first time, the waste management programme is receiving international recognition, while garbage dumps are contributing to climate change and loss of biodiversity.
The Chief Minister further stated that garbage dumps across the province are being converted into green forests and solar parks. The ban on plastic bags has helped achieve zero waste targets, while farmers are being provided with super seeders on subsidy for agricultural waste management.
She also noted that strict enforcement of environmental laws is being ensured in industries. Similarly, modern electric vehicles and mechanized systems have been introduced, while waste-to-energy projects are also being launched to generate electricity and other useful products from waste.

Lahore | ReNews
The Punjab government has introduced a significant policy change that is set to reshape the real estate investment landscape across the province, particularly affecting investors dealing in low-cost land near major roads.
Under the LDA New Policy 2026, authorities have officially abolished the long-standing “free commercial rights” facility, a move that is expected to directly impact both property buyers and developers. A formal amendment has been made to the LDA Land Use Rules 2020, and a gazette notification has already been issued to enforce the new regulations.
Previously, investors widely used this policy to purchase inexpensive land located near planned or upcoming roads, anticipating future development. Once infrastructure projects were completed, such land could be converted into commercial property without additional charges—allowing investors to earn substantial profits.
However, under the revised rules, free conversion of residential land into commercial use is no longer permitted. Investors, developers, and housing societies will now be required to follow stricter regulations, effectively ending a popular speculative investment strategy. Real estate experts suggest that this change will significantly reduce profit margins for investors who relied on early-stage land purchases near structure plan roads. The inability to secure guaranteed commercial status in the future also introduces a higher level of uncertainty, increasing the overall risk associated with such investments.
Market analysts further warn that the property sector—especially in areas surrounding developing road networks—may experience a slowdown as investor interest declines. Locations such as Pine Avenue Extension and Neelum Road, previously considered prime for low-cost, high-return investments, are expected to be among the most affected.
The government, however, maintains that the decision is part of a broader effort to regulate urban growth. Officials state that the policy aims to curb illegal commercial expansion, promote planned development, prevent misuse of land regulations, and enhance transparency within the real estate sector. While the move is being viewed as a positive step toward sustainable urban planning, it poses immediate challenges for short-term investors who had been capitalizing on regulatory gaps for quick gains.
Industry observers believe that going forward, investment strategies in Punjab’s property market will need to shift toward more compliant and long-term approaches, as speculative opportunities continue to narrow under evolving regulations.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Office of the Punjab Ombudsman has provided significant financial relief exceeding Rs. 5.6 million to citizens affected by incorrect property tax challans issued by the Excise and Taxation Department.
According to an official spokesperson, several complaints were submitted to the Punjab Ombudsman Office, highlighting serious discrepancies in property records. These errors resulted in the issuance of faulty tax challans, causing undue financial burden on taxpayers.
Taking immediate notice of the matter, the Ombudsman directed the concerned authorities to conduct a transparent, merit-based review of all affected cases and ensure the correction of official property records. The Excise Department was further instructed to issue revised challans strictly in accordance with verified data.
Following these directives, the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department initiated a comprehensive rectification process, leading to the correction of erroneous challans across multiple cases.
As a result, affected citizens collectively received relief exceeding Rs. 5.6 million. Complainants appreciated the timely intervention of the Ombudsman, stating that swift administrative action not only resolved their grievances but also restored their confidence in the complaint redressal system.