Punjab Province

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
Development work has formally progressed on three underpasses worth Rs8 billion in the cantonment area of Rawalpindi, with land preparation and environmental adjustments completed along the main urban corridor to facilitate construction and infrastructure reorganisation.
According to the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), a total of 469 trees and 715 shrubs located along Peshawar Road between Qasim Market and Chairing Cross were carefully relocated to nearby suitable locations. The relocation was carried out to clear land required for structural works while preserving environmental assets within the urban zone.
Officials confirmed that the relocated trees have been replanted in green belts and open land parcels where adequate space is available. Additionally, the board has prepared a replantation plan under which more than 400 mature native trees and shrubs will be planted at the original sites after construction is completed. Furthermore, 74 dead trees were removed, and in accordance with environmental guidelines, ten new trees will be planted for each removed tree to maintain ecological balance.
The underpass project includes development near Race Course Park, Army Graveyard, and Chairing Cross. As part of land preparation, underground utility corridors are being established to accommodate essential service infrastructure. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has initiated construction of a dedicated utility corridor to facilitate organised relocation of service networks beneath the surface.
Utility relocation activities have also been completed by Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), while other service providers, including Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), are transferring their infrastructure to designated corridors to enable uninterrupted construction work.
Authorities stated that once utility relocation and site preparation are fully completed, full-scale construction will commence, with an estimated completion period of approximately 70 days. The project is expected to improve traffic flow, optimise land use along the corridor, and strengthen accessibility for surrounding commercial and residential zones.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has announced a major change in the electricity payment system for urban and residential users. Effective April 1, 2026, payments will no longer be accepted through the postal network. Consumers are required to utilize authorized alternatives, including banks, digital banking platforms, mobile applications, and QR code-based payment systems.
Company officials stated that the move aims to modernize payment procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency in financial transactions across residential and commercial areas. Property administrators, housing societies, apartment complexes, and commercial building managers will need to adapt their payment processes to comply with the updated system.
Urban development and property experts note that this initiative supports the adoption of digital financial systems within city infrastructure, promoting better record-keeping and accountability. Property owners and residents are advised to make timely payments through authorized channels to avoid service disruptions.
LESCO emphasized that authorized banks, online banking portals, mobile wallets, and QR code-based payments will remain fully operational. Residents and commercial property managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these alternative channels before the April 1 deadline to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and smooth financial management for their properties.

Lahore: Hasnain Aulakh, Special Correspondent | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the provincial capital into Pakistan’s first child-friendly city. UNICEF Punjab Chief Ramez Bahboodov visited the LDA Headquarter in Lahore, where he met with LDA Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmed and Director General Tahir Farooq. During the meeting, discussions focused on integrating facilities that support children’s healthy development and physical activity into the city’s broader urban planning and development framework. Participants reviewed proposals aimed at positioning Lahore as a model child friendly city, emphasizing inclusive urban spaces, accessible parks, and recreational facilities for children.
UNICEF representatives appreciated LDA’s ongoing initiatives to develop parks and sports facilities tailored to young residents.
A detailed briefing was presented by Director Vice Chairman Cell Ubaid Iqbal and Director Metropolitan Ayesha Mutahir. The meeting was also attended by UNICEF Social Policy and Development Specialist Abdul Rehman Cheema, the Chief Metropolitan Planner, Chief Town Planner II, Chief IT Officer, and other senior officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramez Bahboodov remarked that although he hails from Azerbaijan, Lahore holds a special place in his heart. He expressed satisfaction over the international standard development initiatives underway in the city. Both sides agreed to formalize their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future, marking a significant step toward embedding child focused policies into Lahore’s urban development agenda.