City and District Real Estate News

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has launched major restoration and beautification work at the historic Soldier Bazaar as part of efforts to revive one of the city’s prominent traditional commercial areas and improve conditions for residents, traders and visitors.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inspected the ongoing restoration work at Soldier Bazaar and said the initiative was aimed at restoring the original character of the historic marketplace, which has suffered from years of encroachments, deterioration and inadequate maintenance.
During his visit, the mayor reviewed progress on the rehabilitation work and said the condition of Soldier Bazaar had deteriorated significantly over time due to prolonged neglect and illegal encroachments.
He said the situation was now gradually improving following the launch of restoration and beautification measures by the metropolitan corporation.
According to the mayor, the project is intended not only to improve the physical appearance of the market but also to create a cleaner, more organised and accessible environment for local residents, shopkeepers and people visiting the area.
Soldier Bazaar is among Karachi’s longstanding commercial localities and has historically served as an important marketplace for surrounding residential communities. However, increasing congestion, encroachments and deterioration of public infrastructure have affected the area over the years.
Wahab said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation would continue working to improve urban areas across the city while simultaneously focusing on the preservation and rehabilitation of historically important locations.
He said providing basic civic facilities, improving public spaces and restoring Karachi’s historic identity remained important components of the municipal administration’s broader development agenda.
The mayor stressed that rehabilitation of older commercial districts could improve both the appearance and functionality of neighbourhoods while providing better conditions for businesses and residents.
He said KMC intended to continue similar improvement initiatives in different parts of Karachi, particularly in areas where deteriorating infrastructure and long-standing civic problems had affected daily life.
Alongside the Soldier Bazaar restoration project, KMC is also carrying out road rehabilitation, repair and reconstruction work in several parts of the metropolis.
Wahab said improving Karachi’s road network was necessary to facilitate smoother traffic movement and make daily commuting easier for residents.
Road rehabilitation work is currently underway around the National Stadium and National Coaching Centre, while repair and reconstruction activities are also being carried out in parts of Orangi Town.
The projects form part of broader infrastructure improvement efforts aimed at addressing damaged roads, easing mobility problems and improving connectivity across different areas of the city.
The mayor said the metropolitan corporation would continue focusing on development and rehabilitation schemes designed to improve Karachi’s urban environment and upgrade civic infrastructure.
The ongoing Soldier Bazaar project represents part of that wider strategy, combining restoration of a historically significant commercial district with improvements intended to make the area more functional, attractive and accessible for the public.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA), on the directives of Director General Tahir Farooq, has intensified action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters, sealing 26 properties in different parts of the city.
According to LDA officials, Town Planning Wing teams carried out operations in Gulberg, Allama Iqbal Town, Sabzazar and other areas falling within the authority’s controlled limits.
During the recovery operation, 15 properties were sealed in Gulberg and another six in Allama Iqbal Town.
Separately, five additional properties were sealed in Sabzazar over illegal commercial use.
The sealed properties included a private school, auto workshops, a food outlet, a salon, showrooms, shops, offices and other commercial units.
The LDA said the operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad-uz-Zaman.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters would continue without discrimination, adding that those violating rules and regulations would face action in accordance with the law.