City and District Real Estate News

Islamabad : ReNews Pakistan
The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority has approved the outsourcing of four amenity plots reserved for health and education facilities in Islamabad's G 13 and G 14 sectors. The plots will be used for a hospital, two dispensaries and a school under a proposed public private partnership and joint venture model.

According to officials, the projects will be developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model with an initial concession period of 20 years. The concession period may be extended for another 10 years under the proposed arrangement.

The FGEHA board has also authorised the authority to invite Expressions of Interest and Requests for Proposals through open competitive bidding. The process will allow private sector partners to be selected for financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed facilities.

The identified sites include a 4,813 square yard plot for a hospital in G 14 Markaz, a 4,813 square yard plot for a dispensary in G 14/3, a 67 square yard plot for another dispensary in G 14/4 and a 333 square yard plot for a school in G 14/3.

Under the proposed arrangement, FGEHA will retain ownership of the land, while the selected private partner will be responsible for financing, constructing, operating and maintaining the facilities.

The developed infrastructure will be transferred back to FGEHA after the concession period expires. The authority expects the model to attract private investment and operational expertise while supporting the development of health and education facilities in populated and developing sectors of Islamabad.

FGEHA officials also informed the board that 13 school plots had previously been handed over to the Federal Directorate of Education for the development of schools and colleges. However, only two plots have so far been utilised due to limited government funding.

The authority expects the proposed outsourcing model to help put the identified amenity plots to productive use and facilitate the development of essential health and education infrastructure through private sector participation.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
A major development project for the restoration of the historic Lahore Fort and its adjoining buffer zone has been approved, with the initiative aimed at improving the urban environment, preserving cultural heritage and promoting tourism in the area.

The Provincial Development Working Party has approved the revised PC-I for the Lahore Fort and Buffer Zone restoration project. The total cost of the project has been fixed at more than PKR 7.735 billion, while an initial allocation of PKR 1.941 billion has also been approved.

The project will focus on restoring the historic and urban environment surrounding Lahore Fort, along with measures to protect the city’s cultural heritage and improve facilities for visitors. Various development initiatives will also be undertaken to enhance the area’s overall appearance, functionality and tourism appeal.

According to officials, a key objective of the restoration initiative is to preserve the historic character of Lahore Fort while improving the surrounding urban area. The planned interventions are expected to enhance access to the heritage site, support tourism activities and improve civic facilities in the adjoining areas.

A formal request has also been sent to the Finance Department for the release of an additional PKR 1.19 billion. The release of funds is expected to facilitate and accelerate development work under the project.

Lahore Fort is one of the city’s most prominent symbols of its historic and cultural identity, while its surrounding area forms an important part of Lahore’s historic core. The proposed restoration work is expected to strengthen heritage conservation while creating greater opportunities for tourism, urban activity and businesses linked to the visitor economy.

The government plans to further strengthen the historic, cultural and urban character of Lahore Fort and its buffer zone, with the broader objective of developing the area into a more attractive and better equipped destination for domestic and international tourists.