Punjab Province

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.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
Traders and business representatives have urged the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to allocate additional commercial and industrial land along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor, saying that proper zoning is essential to promote investment, trade and long-term economic activity in the region.
The demand was raised during a meeting on land use planning for areas along the Rawalpindi Ring Road, held at the RDA headquarters on Wednesday. The meeting was convened on the directions of Commissioner Rawalpindi and RDA Director General Engineer Amir Khattak.
RDA Additional Director General Masood Ahmad Bukhari chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Planner of RDA, representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Deputy Director of Local Government, and the Chief Executive Officer of Health Rawalpindi.
According to an RDA press release, the participants were briefed in detail about the decisions taken during the previous meeting held on May 15, 2026. The forum reviewed priority areas identified for land acquisition in different blocks and discussed the responsibilities of relevant departments for implementing the proposed land use plan.
Representatives of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed that appropriate commercial and industrial zoning along the Ring Road corridor would play a key role in supporting business activity, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities. They called for additional commercial land to be included in the plan to meet future economic needs.
RDA officials informed the meeting that sufficient commercial and industrial areas had already been incorporated into the proposed plan. They said the planning framework was designed to support sustainable regional development while ensuring organized growth along the Ring Road corridor.
The Deputy Director of Local Government and the CEO of Health Rawalpindi appreciated the planning efforts and praised RDA’s work on the project. Participants also assured their cooperation for the successful implementation of the proposed land use strategy.
The Deputy Director of Local Government further said that the proposed plan would be shared with relevant tehsil councils to seek their feedback and recommendations. Officials said this step would help make the planning process more consultative and inclusive.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, as all stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated planning and sustainable development along the Rawalpindi Ring Road corridor.