Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has set June 30 as the deadline for the completion of all priority development schemes, while directing relevant officials to speed up work on ongoing infrastructure projects and ensure the immediate restoration of roads affected by pipeline-laying activities.
WASA Managing Director Saqib Raza issued these directions while chairing a review meeting on development projects. The meeting reviewed progress on various schemes in detail, with particular focus on three major projects being executed under the Chief Minister’s Package. The MD WASA made it clear that all priority works must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Saqib Raza directed contractors to accelerate construction activities and instructed consultant agencies to ensure strict monitoring of the projects. He said transparency, quality and timely completion must remain the top priorities during the implementation of development schemes.
The MD WASA also directed that priority schemes being carried out under the Punjab Development Programme should be completed by the end of June. He stressed that public inconvenience must be minimized in areas where infrastructure work is under way, especially in localities where roads have been damaged due to pipeline installation.
According to the instructions, road restoration work should begin immediately in areas where pipeline installation has been completed. Officials were also asked to conduct a comprehensive survey of streets and roads affected by development works so that rehabilitation can begin without unnecessary delay.
On the occasion, Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir highlighted the importance of early completion of sewerage upgradation projects. He said these projects are crucial for improving the urban drainage system and providing relief to citizens ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Officials reiterated their commitment to the timely completion of development schemes, improvement of sewerage and drainage infrastructure, and rehabilitation of affected roads. The timely completion of these projects is expected to improve civic facilities, reduce drainage-related issues and ease public difficulties.

Muzaffargarh | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab provincial cabinet has granted final approval to the estimated cost of the first phase of the Muzaffargarh /Khan Garh dual carriageway project, clearing the way for the launch of one of the most awaited infrastructure schemes in the region.
The project relates to the Muzaffargarh-Tranda Muhammad Panah Road, commonly known among locals as the “Killer Road” because of its long history of fatal traffic accidents. After the cabinet’s approval, the case has now been forwarded to the competent authority for the issuance of tenders.
According to officials, the project will be carried out through three separate tenders. The first tender will cover the shifting of utility infrastructure along a 22-kilometre section from Muzaffargarh to Saleem Chowk in Khan Garh. This includes installations belonging to WAPDA, Sui Gas, the Forest Department and other departments located along the route.
The second tender will deal with land acquisition on both sides of the road from Fareed Colony, Muzaffargarh, to Saleem Chowk, Khan Garh. However, Pir Jahaniyan Chowk, Daya Wali Maari Chowk and Munda Chowk have been excluded from this phase of land acquisition.
Officials said the total width of the proposed dual carriageway has been fixed at 110 feet. The planned road will include the main carriageway, service roads and green belts, making it a major road infrastructure upgrade for the area.
The third tender will be issued for the construction of the road section from Fareed Colony to Shamsabad Bridge in Khan Garh. The entire project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The road has remained a serious concern for residents and commuters for several years due to its narrow structure, poor condition and heavy traffic load. Numerous accidents have been reported on the route, increasing public demand for its widening and reconstruction.
Local residents have welcomed the final approval of the project and expressed hope that work will begin without further delay. They said the dualisation of the road would help reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and provide safer and smoother connectivity between Muzaffargarh, Khan Garh and nearby areas.
The project is also expected to support local trade and daily commuting by improving transport links across the district. Once completed, the upgraded road is likely to provide long-term relief to thousands of commuters who use the route on a regular basis.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched a major exercise to identify and commercialize vacant, unused and underutilized state-owned properties as part of efforts to achieve a Rs 500 billion revenue target in the next fiscal year.
The Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department has issued a letter to 12 public institutions, directing them to submit complete details of residential and commercial properties owned by the government. The move is aimed at assessing the commercial potential of state assets and preparing a structured plan to generate revenue from them.
According to the letter, nine development authorities and three other government bodies have been asked to provide the required information. The letter has been sent to the director generals of the Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and Koh-e-Suleman development authorities.
The chief executive officer of the Ravi Urban Development Authority, the director general of the Punjab Housing and Planning Agency, and the chief executive officer of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority have also been directed to submit relevant records.
The department said that vacant, unused and underutilized government properties could play an important role in helping the province meet its Rs. 500 billion revenue target for the upcoming fiscal year. Authorities have been instructed to compile comprehensive data on all state-owned residential and commercial assets that are not being fully utilized.
The institutions have also been asked to share details of properties that have already been sold, leased, auctioned, licensed or put to any other use. Officials said the exercise would help the government determine the current status of public properties and identify further opportunities for revenue generation.
In addition to property records, the agencies have been directed to identify roads, corridors and areas with strong commercial potential. They have been asked to submit recommendations on how such locations can be used more effectively to generate income for the provincial government.
The letter further directed the institutions to assess the market value of land and properties, evaluate their commercialization potential and identify practical revenue-generation opportunities. The departments have also been asked to prepare detailed action plans along with implementation timelines for achieving their respective revenue targets.
Officials believe the initiative could help Punjab make better use of public assets, reduce pressure on traditional revenue sources and promote planned commercial activity in urban and developing areas across the province.