The Punjab government's decision to approve a pilot programme for developing 120 model villages represents a significant policy initiative aimed at improving rural infrastructure, sanitation and basic public facilities. Rather than creating new residential developments, the programme focuses on upgrading existing villages by improving sewerage systems, drainage networks, paved streets and the overall living environment. Its long-term significance will depend on whether these improvements can be delivered efficiently, maintained sustainably and expanded to other rural communities.Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the initiative during a meeting held in Lahore on October 20, 2026. The government also decided to introduce the proposed Khushhal Dehat Act 2026, intended to establish a clearer administrative and legal framework for village-level development. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen local planning, organise public infrastructure projects and improve accountability in the management of development activities.One of the programme's central features is the establishment of village committees to oversee implementation. Each committee will comprise eight members, including four public representatives and four government representatives. The relevant Assistant Commissioner will head the committee, while the Deputy Commissioner will supervise the village committees and development projects across the district.The committees are expected to include representatives such as local school headteachers, Union Council Secretaries and doctors serving at Basic Health Units or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics. Their participation is intended to help identify local requirements and provide a mechanism for coordinating infrastructure development with existing educational, healthcare and administrative institutions.This administrative structure could strengthen community involvement in rural development. Infrastructure schemes are often less effective when projects are designed without sufficient consideration of residents' daily needs. A drainage system, for example, may not function adequately unless planners understand local water flow patterns, existing streets, settlement density and maintenance requirements. Village committees could help address such issues if community representation is meaningful and decisions remain transparent.Drainage and sanitation improvements are particularly important in densely populated rural settlements. Inadequate wastewater disposal can leave streets waterlogged, disrupt daily movement and create unhygienic conditions. These difficulties often become more severe during periods of heavy rainfall, when poorly maintained drains and unpaved roads become major obstacles for residents.By upgrading drainage infrastructure, the model-village programme could reduce standing wastewater and improve local living conditions. However, effective sanitation requires more than initial construction. Drainage channels must be appropriately designed, connected to suitable disposal systems and supported by regular cleaning and maintenance.The construction of paved streets is another important component of the initiative. Improved internal roads can make a practical difference for schoolchildren, farmers, small business owners and workers travelling between villages and nearby towns. Better access routes may also support local commercial activities by facilitating the movement of agricultural products, goods and essential services.For rural households, improved streets can reduce travel difficulties and make healthcare and educational facilities more accessible. The potential benefits are particularly relevant for settlements where inadequate road conditions disrupt everyday activities and limit economic opportunities.From a real estate perspective, the programme differs substantially from conventional private housing development. It seeks to improve infrastructure within existing communities instead of establishing new housing societies or converting agricultural land into planned residential colonies.Better public facilities may improve the residential environment and functionality of village properties. Nevertheless, infrastructure upgrades do not automatically translate into higher property prices. Land values remain influenced by location, ownership documentation, demand, accessibility, income levels and wider market conditions.The initiative also offers an opportunity to reconsider how rural public infrastructure is planned and maintained. Construction quality, transparent procurement, realistic budgets and effective technical supervision will be crucial to achieving durable results. Poorly executed infrastructure works could create recurring maintenance costs without delivering lasting improvements.The role of local administrations will therefore be especially important. Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners will need to coordinate participating departments, monitor construction progress and address implementation difficulties. Public reporting on expenditure, project milestones and completed works could further strengthen accountability.Community participation should also extend beyond project selection. Women, older residents, children and people with disabilities may experience infrastructure problems differently. Ensuring their concerns are reflected in local planning could improve the programme's social impact and make public spaces more accessible.Long-term maintenance represents another significant challenge. Roads, drains and sanitation facilities deteriorate when responsibilities for cleaning, repairs and financing are unclear. The government will need to establish practical arrangements for maintaining completed infrastructure so that the initial investment continues to benefit residents.Although the pilot programme has been approved, important implementation details remain outstanding. The government has not yet publicly provided a comprehensive district-wise list of the 120 selected villages, the total development budget, individual funding allocations or confirmed completion deadlines.Similarly, the decision to introduce the Khushhal Dehat Act 2026 should be distinguished from the formal enactment of legislation, which requires the relevant legal process.Ultimately, the programme should be judged by measurable improvements rather than announcements alone. The quality of completed streets, effectiveness of drainage systems, accessibility of public facilities and satisfaction of local residents will determine whether the initiative achieves its objectives.If the pilot delivers sustainable results and establishes an accountable model of village-level administration, it could provide a useful foundation for extending rural infrastructure improvements to additional communities across Punjab. Its real value will lie in creating villages where residents experience practical, lasting improvements in their everyday lives.

Lahore | ReNews PakistanPC Hospitality, the hospitality division of Hashoo Group, has announced the launch of Hotel One Living, a new brand designed to cater to Pakistan's emerging midscale extended-stay accommodation and branded residences market.The initiative marks an expansion of the company's hospitality portfolio into a segment serving business travellers, professionals, relocating employees and families requiring accommodation for longer periods than conventional hotel stays.According to an official announcement issued on October 19, 2026, Hotel One Living has been developed to combine the spaciousness, privacy and convenience of apartment-style accommodation with the professional services, safety and operational standards associated with established hotel brands.The concept is positioned within the midscale segment, offering an alternative to traditional hotels and corporate housing arrangements.PC Hospitality said the new brand is intended to address changing accommodation requirements among professionals and modern travellers who increasingly need residential facilities capable of supporting work, daily routines and longer-term living.Hotel One Living will focus on functional living areas, dedicated workspaces and integrated lifestyle amenities while maintaining consistent hospitality standards for comfort, cleanliness and service quality.The accommodation model is designed to provide residents with greater personal space and flexibility than a conventional hotel room while retaining access to professionally managed hospitality services.According to the company, the brand will target prime commercial districts and major business hubs across Pakistan, where demand for flexible residential accommodation is expected to come from corporate clients, business travellers, professionals and relocating families.Bastien Blanc, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitality Division at Hashoo Group, said the expectations of contemporary travellers and long-stay residents were evolving beyond conventional hotel accommodation.

Taxila : ReNews PakistanConstruction of Phase II of the Workers’ Welfare Fund Labour Complex on Hattar Road, Taxila, has formally begun after remaining stalled for nearly 19 years. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain laid the foundation stone on October 20, 2026, marking the start of a project estimated at Rs1.1 billion with a 24 month construction target.The development aims to address the need for affordable family housing and supporting facilities for industrial workers in Taxila, Wah, and the Hattar industrial corridor. Phase II will cover 113,024 square feet and is planned to include a boys’ high school, a girls’ high school, a junior school, a shopping area, and other residential and community amenities. The project was initially launched in 2007.In parallel, the 504 residential flats constructed under Phase I of the Labour Complex are expected to be handed over to eligible industrial workers within approximately two months from the announcement date. The minister also indicated that arrangements are being made for families of Pakistan Ordnance Factories workers who died in workplace incidents, including five additional flats for families affected by the August 2021 POF blast. Coordination with relevant departments is underway to finalize allotment and handover procedures.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanThe Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) has appointed Sultan Gohar, Chief Executive Officer of Lake City Holdings, as Chairman of its North Region for a two year term.The appointment was formally approved by ABAD's Executive Committee, which expressed confidence that Gohar's experience in real estate development would help advance the interests of builders and developers across the region.According to reports published on October 19 and 20, 2026, the association nominated Gohar to lead its northern regional operations and contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan's construction and property development industries.ABAD welcomed the appointment and expressed the expectation that Gohar's professional background and leadership experience would support the association's efforts to address industry challenges and promote sustainable development.Gohar is associated with Lake City Holdings, a prominent real estate development business involved in residential and community development projects in Pakistan.His experience includes leadership and management responsibilities in the property development sector, providing him with practical exposure to challenges faced by private developers.The appointment also marks his return to a position he has previously held within the association.According to ABAD's official records of former regional chairmen, Gohar served as Chairman of the North Region during the 2022 23 and 2023 24 terms.His latest appointment comes at a time when Pakistan's construction and real estate sectors continue to face challenges related to building material costs, taxation, regulatory approvals and access to development financing.These issues remain important for private developers, particularly those undertaking residential and commercial construction projects that require substantial investment and coordination with regulatory authorities.ABAD is a national representative organisation of builders and developers working to support private-sector construction activities and promote the development of Pakistan's housing industry.

Madrid | ReNews Internationa Desk NewsSpain's deepening housing affordability crisis has triggered a major dispute over rental regulations, eviction protections and property investment as the government introduces measures aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants while landlords and investors raise concerns about their potential impact on housing supply.The controversy has intensified following a series of high-profile eviction cases, rising residential property prices and growing public demonstrations demanding greater protection for tenants.According to a Reuters investigation published on October 21, 2026, residential property prices in Spain have increased by approximately 58 percent over the past five years, while rents have risen by 44 percent.The sharp increases have placed considerable financial pressure on households, particularly young people, pensioners and lower-income families struggling to secure affordable accommodation in major cities.Public anger escalated following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for approximately seven decades.The case sparked widespread demonstrations and renewed calls for restrictions on evictions, rent increases and speculative property investment.Reuters reported that Abascal died approximately two weeks after her eviction, further intensifying scrutiny of Spain's housing policies and the treatment of vulnerable tenants.In response to the growing crisis, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government approved two housing decrees on October 6, introducing measures designed to strengthen tenant protections and address speculative activity in the residential property market.The measures include restrictions on rent increases, temporary protections against certain evictions and tighter controls on corporate purchases of residential properties.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanFederal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that 150 housing societies in Islamabad are operating illegally and that action is underway against them as the government intensifies its efforts to reclaim encroached public land across the federal capital.The minister stated that illegal occupation of government property would not be tolerated and that all land found under unauthorised occupation would be recovered.Naqvi made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during visits to the Kashmir Chowk Underpass construction project and other development sites in Islamabad.Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also accompanied him during the inspections.Addressing the issue of unauthorised housing developments, Naqvi said the authorities were taking action against approximately 150 housing societies identified as illegal.He emphasised that enforcement measures should not be limited to those occupying government land but should also extend to officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) who had allegedly ignored or facilitated encroachments.The interior minister said government land and residential properties under unauthorised occupation were being identified and that encroachments would be removed without discrimination.During his visit to the Bara Kahu area, Naqvi directed the relevant authorities to reclaim 108 kanals of government land from illegal occupation.He announced plans to establish three museums on the recovered property, including an Army Museum.The proposed development forms part of wider plans to establish museums and cultural institutions in Islamabad aimed at preserving Pakistan's historical and national heritage.Meanwhile, the minister inspected progress on the Kashmir Chowk Underpass, a major road infrastructure project intended to improve traffic movement at one of Islamabad's important intersections.Naqvi said construction had been underway for 12 days and that teams were working around the clock to complete the project as quickly as possible.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanPakistan's construction sector has recorded an upward revision in its annual growth estimate, with the National Accounts Committee (NAC) increasing the sector's growth rate for fiscal year 2025-26 to 6.30 percent from the previously estimated 5.73 percent.The revised figures indicate stronger construction activity during the financial year, primarily supported by increased government expenditure on public-sector construction and infrastructure development projects.According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the revised estimates were approved during the 118th meeting of the National Accounts Committee, held in Islamabad on October 19, 2026.The committee reviewed and approved updated annual and quarterly national accounts estimates for the financial year ending June 2026.The revision represents an increase of 0.57 percentage points in the construction sector's estimated annual growth rate, highlighting improved performance despite a modest downward adjustment in the country's overall economic growth.The NAC revised Pakistan's GDP growth estimate for FY2025-26 downward to 3.65 percent from the earlier projection of 3.70 percent.The overall industrial sector's annual growth estimate was also reduced to 3.34 percent from the previously reported 3.51 percent, reflecting uneven performance across different industries.Despite these developments, construction remained among the industrial activities recording positive growth.During the fourth quarter of FY2025 26, covering April to June 2026, construction expanded by 3.52 percent compared with the corresponding period of the previous financial year.According to the revised national accounts, the improvement was supported by increased public-sector infrastructure spending and a 1.9 percent rise in cement production during the quarter.In contrast, the broader industrial sector contracted by 4.70 percent during the same period, while overall GDP expanded by 2.00 percent.The figures suggest that construction maintained positive momentum even as several other industrial activities experienced weaker performance.Pakistan's construction industry plays a significant role in supporting economic activity across several interconnected sectors, including cement, steel, building materials, transportation and construction related services.Higher spending on public infrastructure projects can support demand for construction materials and associated services while potentially generating employment opportunities.The upward revision is also relevant to Pakistan's real estate and housing markets, although stronger construction output does not necessarily indicate an equivalent rise in residential plot prices or property resale values.Public infrastructure development, private residential construction, housing society development and secondary-market property transactions represent different but interconnected segments of the broader construction and real estate economy.Property values remain dependent on location, infrastructure availability, legal and regulatory conditions, development progress, market supply and prevailing buyer demand.The latest national accounts therefore provide an indication of stronger overall construction activity during FY2025 26 rather than direct evidence of rising property prices across Pakistan.While the revised construction growth estimate reflects the contribution of increased public sector expenditure, further market specific data would be required to assess how this improvement has affected private housing development, residential transactions and investment activity in individual property markets.

Peshawar | ReNews PakistanThe National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sought property and financial records in an inquiry involving provincial lawmaker Dr Amjad Ali, who serves as the chief minister’s special assistant on housing. Reports say the inquiry concerns alleged assets disproportionate to declared income and suspected corruption involving housing-related matters.Dr Amjad Ali, Bacha Syed, Muhammad Arif Shah, Siraj Ahmad and Naveed Ahmad have been summoned to appear before NAB in Peshawar between October 20 and 22, 2026. The bureau has requested allotment, ownership and payment details concerning properties in Islamabad’s Eighteen Housing Society and the Jalozai Housing Scheme. Salary, allowance, benefit and travel records have also been sought from the Accountant General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The inquiry also covers questions about legal title, land transfer documents and physical possession at Mega City Nowshera. Reports allege possible deficiencies in the Housing Authority’s documentation and possession of the designated land. NAB has requested the project’s complete original record, including site surveys, land acquisition documents, technical and financial files, and correspondence with relevant departments.The bureau has also sought details of properties held in the names of 31 relatives of Dr Amjad Ali, comprising 20 men and 11 women. It has requested written agreements dated February 15, 16 and 22, 2022, between the chief executive of Lead Private Limited and the provincial housing minister, alongside the names and CNIC numbers of committee members who jointly visited the project site on February 24, 2022.Former Housing Authority officials, including a former secretary and director general, are reportedly being examined over allegations of acquiring residential properties in Mega City Nowshera contrary to the rules. Other allegations under investigation concern the use of 12 official vehicles, access by relatives to vehicles and official fuel, the reported allotment of flat A04 on the third floor of the Warsak-1 high-rise flats to the provincial minister’s daughter, and alleged unlawful appointments of relatives within the authority.The procedural background includes a March 2026 direction from the Peshawar High Court instructing NAB not to harass Dr Amjad Ali in connection with an assets case. The supplied report does not include responses from him or the other individuals concerned to the current allegations.Requests for records and summonses are investigative steps and do not establish wrongdoing. Naming housing schemes in an inquiry also does not establish that entire developments are illegal, buyers have lost possession or particular transfer deeds have been cancelled. Any definitive legal conclusions will depend on the evidence, subsequent proceedings and decisions of the competent forum.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanA subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has recommended that the government provide journalists and media workers across Pakistan with access to easy loans under the prime minister’s housing scheme to help meet their residential needs.The meeting was chaired by subcommittee convener Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi and attended by committee member Senator Jan Muhammad. Discussions covered journalists’ housing needs and matters relating to plot allotments.Mehdi recommended that journalists and media workers affiliated with press clubs throughout the country be given access to the prime minister’s housing loan facility. He identified the facility as a means of helping the media community meet its housing requirements.The recommendation calls on the government to facilitate access to the existing housing loan facility. The supplied account of the meeting did not specify loan amounts, financing rates, repayment periods or application procedures.The subcommittee also considered plot allotments for journalists. Mehdi called for the earliest possible verification of the list of journalists already submitted to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for this purpose.He stressed the need to scrutinise the list to prevent duplicate allotments. The recommendation sought faster verification of the previously submitted names so that checks against allotment records could be completed promptly.Access to housing loans and verification of the plot allotment list are separate elements of the subcommittee’s recommendations. The meeting details did not announce government approval or a final timetable for providing loans or allotting plots.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt has said property tycoon Malik Riaz would be welcome to return to Pakistan but must face the cases against him. Speaking to journalists, the NAB chairman said Riaz’s return would require him to submit to the legal process. “I respect Malik Riaz a lot. If he wants to return, he is welcome,” Bloom Pakistan quoted Butt as saying. According to the report, the chairman also said Riaz could resume business in Pakistan provided he refrained from repeating past practices that had led to controversy. Business Recorder also reported the chairman’s remarks about Riaz returning to face legal proceedings. The comments were made during a media briefing on NAB’s recoveries and investigations. The statement comes against the backdrop of several legal and administrative proceedings involving Bahria Town. In an official statement dated March 17, 2025, NAB said it was investigating Riaz and others over allegations of fraud, illegal occupation of public and private land, and the development of housing schemes without the required approvals. The statement referred to projects in Karachi, the Takht Pari area of Rawalpindi and New Murree. These allegations were attributed to NAB. According to the same statement, references had been filed in accountability courts in Islamabad and Karachi. NAB also said commercial and residential properties linked to Bahria Town had been sealed in several cities, while hundreds of bank accounts had been frozen and vehicles placed under restrictions. Efforts to secure Riaz’s return from the United Arab Emirates have also formed part of these proceedings. In April 2026, the NAB chairman said the bureau was in contact with Emirati authorities over the matter. He also claimed that Interpol had issued Red Notices for Riaz and his son, Ali Riaz. According to Interpol, a Red Notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition or similar legal action. It is not an international arrest warrant, and each country determines whether to make an arrest under its own laws. Arab News has previously reported that Riaz denied allegations of corruption and money laundering and described the proceedings against him as politically motivated.

Beijing | ReNews International Desk NewsChina’s new home prices fell 0.1% month on month and 2.8% year on year in September. Reuters reported signs of stabilisation in major cities, while housing markets in smaller cities remained under pressure.The annual decline narrowed from 3% in August, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics data, indicating a modest easing in the pace of price falls.Official figures showed that property development investment declined 20.6% year on year in January to September 2026. Investment in residential developments fell 20.5%.Sales of newly built commercial properties fell 13.2% by floor area and 13.9% by value. Within that total, residential sales declined 13.8% by area and 13.7% by value.Construction activity also weakened. New construction starts fell 24.9% by floor area during the first nine months, while completed floor area declined 25.1%.Existing homes performed more strongly. Officials said the floor area sold under registered contracts rose 10.7% year on year. Existing home prices in first tier cities increased for a seventh consecutive month.At the end of September, the floor area of newly built commercial properties available for sale nationwide was down 1.5% year on year. The figures therefore showed continued weakness in development and new property sales alongside improvement in existing-home transactions and some major city markets.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanPakistan’s economy grew by 2% in the final quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, covering April to June, while real estate activities relating to ownership of dwellings expanded by 3.92% and construction grew by 3.52%.According to Table 3 of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ Quarterly National Accounts, the overall industrial sector contracted by 4.70%, although construction maintained positive growth. The figures represent year-on-year changes measured at constant basic prices.Growth in ownership-of-dwellings activities increased from 3.69% in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year to 3.92% in April–June 2026. Construction growth, meanwhile, slowed from 17.51% to 3.52%, indicating continued expansion at a substantially slower pace.The official statistics classify the housing-related category as “Real Estate Activities (Ownership of Dwellings)”. Growth in this category should not be interpreted as an equivalent increase in property prices or the volume of property transactions.Overall economic growth also eased from 6.07% in the corresponding quarter a year earlier to 2%. Ownership-of-dwellings activities and construction therefore continued to expand despite the broader economic slowdown and contraction in industry.

Lahore | ReNews PakistanThe Punjab cabinet has approved Rs 60 billion for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme. Under the programme, the Bank of Punjab will provide 40,000 housing loans to help families meet the cost of building their homes.According to Radio Pakistan, the approval was granted at a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. The Bank of Punjab will play a central role in providing loans under the approved financing package.Access to finance is an important step for families seeking to build a home. Loans provided through the programme could help beneficiaries meet construction expenses, while the release of funds to borrowers will be a key stage in implementing the approved package.The report outlined the provision of 40,000 housing loans but did not specify a disbursement timeline or provide further details about application procedures and beneficiary selection.At the same meeting, the cabinet also approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts across Punjab. Alongside housing finance, the decisions include an expansion of the administrative framework for horticulture and urban green spaces.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan Unity Heights, a 15-storey residential apartment project near DHA Phases VI and VII on Bedian Road, held its grand launch ceremony, drawing a large gathering of property dealers, investors and other real estate professionals. Attendees included former Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Basit; former DHA Estate Agents Association Lahore chairman Dr Khalid Mahmood Chaudhry; Friends Business Group Patron-in-Chief Rana Iftikhar Ahmed, President Nasir Siddiqui and Secretary Khurram Chaudhry; and prominent real estate businessmen Arshad Najmi, Shahid Yaqoob, Sheikh Javed Iqbal, Hafiz Nauman bin Zia, Murtaza Ramay and Ahsan Ali. Speakers said the project occupied a prime location and would help meet demand for quality housing in the area. They described Malik Shahid Iqbal, CEO of Unity Developers and owner of the project, as a committed and accomplished builder, congratulating him on the development and wishing him success. Speaking exclusively to ReNews Pakistan, Iqbal said the project addressed a local need and had attracted a strong response from both investors and end users. “The project has 15 floors and 321 units, with apartment sizes starting at 390 square feet and penthouses extending to around 4,000 square feet,” he said. Iqbal added that the development could accommodate offices as well as residences, with amenities including grocery, pharmacy and laundry facilities. He said basement construction had been completed and work was expected to rise above ground level within the next few days. “Our delivery timeline is three years, but, God willing, we will hand over the project well ahead of schedule,” he said. Asked about payment options, Iqbal said the project offered a three-year payment plan with easy instalments. Discussing the project’s professional team, he identified Turk Pak as the consultant and ABS as the designer, adding that experienced professionals had also been engaged for other services. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of shields to dealers and investors in recognition of their performance, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) held a public hearing on the environmental aspects of the Lahore Division Master Plan 2050, where participants were informed that residential and commercial high rise development would be promoted as part of planning to accommodate future housing needs, population growth and urban expansion. Presentations at the hearing, held at the LDA Sports Complex in Gulberg, outlined the urban requirements of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib. Alongside housing and construction, the master plan covers public transport, roads, water supply, sewerage, education, healthcare, industry and green spaces. Consultants told participants that projected population growth and future housing demand were key considerations in the planning process. The proposed promotion of residential and commercial high rises was being considered alongside civic infrastructure, transport requirements and pedestrian needs. The hearing was also informed that planning for areas associated with the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), the Central Business District (CBD), cantonments and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was being incorporated into the Lahore master plan. Developers and other stakeholders were also being engaged to address environmental pollution linked to urban development. Punjab Environmental Protection Agency Additional Director General (Operations) Sharjeel Hafeez Wattoo and the LDA’s chief metropolitan planner attended the hearing. The chief metropolitan planner and project consultants explained the need for the Master Plan 2050 and its significance, saying suggestions on environmental pollution submitted during the hearing would be reviewed. International consultancy Dar Al Handasah and Asian Consulting Engineers briefed participants on different aspects of the planning framework. Dar Al Handasah representatives said environmental impact assessment considerations were informing the preparation of the master plan. According to the consultants, the framework also takes account of smog, environmental pollution, uncontrolled industrial expansion and wider social and economic challenges. Public consultation and recommendations from the Environment Protection Department were being incorporated into the planning process. Punjab EPA Director Fouzia Akram briefed participants on smog, pollution and related concerns, while environmental experts Aleem Butt and Rafay Alam discussed the causes of pollution and measures to address them. Architect and Lahore Bachao Tehreek member Kamil Khan Mumtaz spoke about different stages of the master planning process. He said the work was proceeding with the global environmental crisis in view and described a prosperous Lahore that remained a centre of civilisation as a primary objective of the Master Plan 2050. Participants were further informed that culture, parks, greenery, agriculture, drainage and water requirements formed part of the framework, allowing future urban and residential development to be considered alongside the infrastructure and services needed to support it. LDA and Environment Protection Department officials, consultants, stakeholders, residents and students attended the hearing. Consultants answered questions from residents and students during the concluding session.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanThe Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) has initiated procurement for a transaction advisor to assess a proposed joint venture apartment and commercial development at Mouza Charahan on Angori Road in Murree.According to the procurement notice published on October 16, 2026, the authority is processing a private developer’s proposal under Rule 9(3) of the FGEHA Joint Venture and Public Private Partnership Rules, 2025.The mixed use project is initially proposed on 84 kanals, with the possibility of expanding the land area to 1,000 kanals also subject to assessment.Under the proposed arrangement, the land would be transferred into FGEHA’s name, while the authority would facilitate the necessary approvals. Twenty per cent of the residential apartments would be allocated to eligible FGEHA members at subsidised rates.The proposal also includes a commercial component, continuing revenue streams for the authority and a buy-back facility for its allocated quota.The private developer would be responsible for design, construction, sales and financing. Proposed terms envisage no equity investment by FGEHA and no assumption by the authority of the developer’s project liabilities. These provisions remain subject to assessment.The transaction advisor will conduct due diligence on the land and developer, prepare feasibility studies, undertake valuations, and review development costs and payment plans.The assignment also includes assessing the discount offered on the members’ quota, the proposed commercial share, potential expansion from 84 to 1,000 kanals, and the terms and security supporting the buy back arrangement.The procurement concerns advisory services to evaluate the proposal and its transaction structure.

Karachi | ReNews PakistanThe Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) has issued detailed bidding documents for a modern truck terminal and logistics park on at least 400 acres along Karachi’s Northern Bypass, the M 10, combining truck parking and dispatch facilities with warehousing, commercial spaces and essential support services.The Request for Proposals (RFP), released on October 16, 2026, invites a private developer or consortium to arrange land, secure financing, design and construct the project, and operate the facility under a single concession agreement.The proposed site may be located on either side of the Northern Bypass but must have direct access from the M 10 motorway.The terminal is planned to accommodate approximately 5,000 trucks simultaneously and handle at least 5,000 truck movements daily. A central queuing and call-forward system will manage truck staging and dispatch.The proposed layout comprises a 250 acre core for truck staging and a further 150 acres for logistics and commercial support. Facilities will include warehouses, cross docking facilities, cold storage, container storage, freight forwarding offices, vehicle workshops, fuel stations and driver accommodation. Banking, dining and medical services are also included in the proposed scope.The concession will run for 25 years, allowing up to two years for engineering and construction, followed by 23 years of operations and maintenance. Early commercial operations may begin during construction once facilities for at least 1,000 trucks and essential services have been completed and certified.Under the bidding framework, land acquisition and development will be financed entirely by the private partner. SMTA will provide no government land, capital contribution or subsidy.Ownership of the land and buildings will remain with the concessionaire or the underlying landowner, while the agreement will grant the operating franchise and management rights.Bidders must submit bid security of Rs 25 million. The non-refundable fee for the RFP documents is Rs 5,000.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan Al Ghani Garden’s Head of REC and Sales, Wajahat Ali Khan, has said that under the “Al-Ghani Tahaffuz Plan”, outstanding instalments will be waived if a person purchasing a plot or file on instalments dies during the repayment period, and the plot will be transferred to the buyer’s legal heirs. Speaking to ReNews Pakistan, he said the initiative was intended to preserve a family’s dream of owning a home after the buyer’s death. According to Khan, surviving family members would not be burdened with the remaining instalments if the buyer died before completing payments. Asked whether heirs would be required to pay any further instalments following the buyer’s death, Khan reiterated that all remaining instalments would be waived and the plot handed over to the legal heirs. He claimed that other housing societies had not introduced a comparable facility, adding that such initiatives distinguished Al-Ghani Garden from other developments. Khan also referred to the construction of a mosque inspired by the architectural design of Al-Aqsa Mosque. He said Al-Ghani Garden residents would be able to offer prayers there in the future.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanThe essential documentation required by banks for housing loans under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme has been reduced to five documents, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Works.In a statement, the spokesperson said the State Bank of Pakistan had issued instructions to banks to limit and standardise the documentation required for housing finance.The five essential documents are the transfer letter, possession letter, site plan, permission to mortgage letter and mortgage registration.The spokesperson said the changes were intended to simplify the borrowing process, spare applicants unnecessary documentation requirements and improve access to financing for home construction.According to the ministry, the nationwide Apna Ghar Programme provides loans of up to Rs 10 million for people building their first home.The spokesperson said complaints had previously been received about banks asking housing loan applicants to submit a large number of documents. Limiting and standardising the essential paperwork was aimed at addressing those difficulties.The ministry said the revised requirements would particularly benefit first time homebuilders seeking financing and make it easier for eligible applicants to access the programme.

Islamabad | ReNews PakistanPakistan’s Apna Ghar housing scheme has approved 75,198 loans worth Rs 448 billion, while actual disbursements stand at Rs 76 billion to 14,000 applicants, highlighting a substantial gap between approved financing and funds reaching borrowers.The figures were presented during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad to review lending initiatives for housing, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).The prime minister directed banks and government agencies to simplify housing loan procedures and improve access to financing. He called for consultations with stakeholders across the three sectors to identify improvements to existing lending schemes.Relevant ministries, government secretaries and the State Bank of Pakistan were instructed to complete the consultations by the end of October and submit recommendations.The government has set a target of extending Rs 700 billion in housing loans for 125,000 residential units this year. Officials informed the meeting that the processing period for housing finance applications had been reduced to 15 working days, while the number of required documents had been cut from 25 to five.Sharif directed officials to make it easier for applicants to provide the necessary information and obtain property title deeds free of encumbrances. He also called for the early finalisation of recommendations by a committee examining financing for developers.The prime minister urged banks with unsatisfactory lending performance to improve their results and encouraged institutions making stronger contributions to the government’s priority sectors.The meeting also reviewed agricultural credit, which currently stands at Rs 1.352 trillion and benefits 3.455 million borrowers. The government aims to increase lending to the sector to Rs 1.5 trillion and expand the number of beneficiaries to 4.5 million by June 2027.In the SME sector, more than 352,000 businesses have received loans totalling Rs 1.137 trillion. The government’s target is to raise financing to Rs 1.5 trillion and increase the number of borrowing businesses to 575,000 by June 2027.Sharif also directed officials to bring inactive warehouses and silos belonging to the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) under public-private partnerships. The move is intended to expand storage capacity and improve the safe storage of farmers’ produce.