Punjab Province

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has entered its final stage, with officials confirming that around 90 percent of construction work on the major transport corridor has been completed.
The PKR 47 billion project, one of the most important infrastructure schemes for Rawalpindi and the surrounding region, is now moving close to completion as the June 30 deadline approaches. According to officials, major civil works on the 38.3 kilometre route have largely been finished, while work on the remaining components is continuing at a steady pace.
Authorities said asphalt laying has been completed on almost the entire corridor, while finishing work on the remaining sections is underway. The pending tasks include carpeting of nearly eight kilometres of road, completion of drainage systems, right of way finishing, installation of roadside safety features, and work on streetlights and lampposts.
Officials from the Rawalpindi Development Authority and the divisional administration said the physical progress of the project is substantial, although some finishing components may go slightly beyond the original timeline. They maintained that construction activity is now in its final phase and efforts are being made to complete the remaining work as soon as possible.
Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri said the remaining portion of the project is expected to be completed by the end of June. He added that installation of streetlights is also in progress and is likely to be finalised within a month.
However, officials clarified that completion of construction work will not automatically mean the immediate opening of the road for public traffic. A provincial government team will conduct a final inspection to assess whether the corridor is ready for inauguration and regular traffic movement.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road stretches from Baanth on GT Road to Thalian on the motorway. The project includes five interchanges at Baanth, Maira Mohra, Khasala, Kolian Parr and Thalian. It also includes multiple bridges, overpasses and supporting road infrastructure aimed at improving regional connectivity.
The Frontier Works Organisation is working as the main contractor, while the Rawalpindi Development Authority is the executing agency. The project also involved the acquisition of 8,992 kanals of land at a cost of PKR 6.7 billion.
Originally planned as a 68 kilometre route, the Ring Road project was later redesigned to 38.3 kilometres following a review process. Construction resumed after approvals from successive governments, making the current phase one of the most advanced stages of the long awaited project.
Officials believe the project will play a major role in reducing traffic pressure in Rawalpindi, improving access to the motorway, facilitating freight movement and supporting future development along the corridor. An industrial zone has also been planned along the route, although related development components will depend on further policy and administrative decisions.
Once completed and cleared for traffic, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to become a key transport link for the twin cities and surrounding areas, offering an alternative route for heavy vehicles and improving connectivity between GT Road, the motorway network and emerging development zones.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore and the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) have retrieved 25,444 kanals of state land from illegal occupation across various districts of Punjab. The recovered land is estimated to be worth around Rs 433 billion.
The announcement was made by NAB Lahore Director General Mirza Faran Baig and Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed during a joint press conference. They said the recovery operation was carried out after a detailed scrutiny of revenue records, demarcation, field surveys and coordinated enforcement actions.
Officials said the recovered land included valuable agricultural and commercial properties, which have now been brought back under state ownership.
According to officials, the recovery of land worth more than Rs 433 billion marks a major achievement in the protection of public assets and reflects effective institutional coordination between NAB Lahore and the Punjab Board of Revenue.
The press conference was told that the Punjab government has also formed a joint task force to eliminate illegal occupation of state land, ensure transparent monitoring of land records and determine the effective use or disposal of recovered land.
Authorities urged citizens to report illegal occupation, encroachments or irregularities in state land records through the official complaint portal to help strengthen the protection and transparent management of public property.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters, sealing 208 properties during operations in different parts of the city.
According to the LDA, the operations were carried out by the Town Planning Wing on the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq in Defence Road, Allama Iqbal Town, Sabzazar, GT Road, Gulshan Ravi and Samanabad.
During the operation, 110 illegal commercial shops were sealed on Defence Road, while 45 properties were sealed in Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar over non-payment of commercial fees. Similarly, 53 more properties were sealed on GT Road, in Gulshan Ravi and Samanabad during action against illegal commercial use.
LDA officials said the sealed properties included private schools, restaurants, food points, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, shops, offices and other commercial establishments.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters would continue.