Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has sealed 125 properties across different areas of the city during operations against illegal commercial use and non-payment of commercialisation fees.
On the directives of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, the authority’s Town Planning Wing launched an operation against illegal commercial buildings and defaulters within the LDA-controlled area. The actions were carried out on Canal Road, Gulshan e Ravi, Samanabad, Gulberg, New Garden Town, PIA Road and Sabzazar.
According to LDA officials, teams sealed 66 properties on Canal Road, in Gulshan-e-Ravi and Samanabad over illegal commercial use, while 24 properties were sealed on PIA Road. Similarly, 20 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town over illegal commercial activity and non-payment of commercialisation fees.
Officials said another 15 properties were sealed in Sabzazar during a recovery operation. The sealed properties include private schools, bakeries, pharmacies, clinics, grocery stores, beauty salons, workshops, restaurants, food points, shops, offices and other commercial establishments.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad-uz-Zaman and Chief Town Planner-II Azhar Ali. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercialisation fees would continue.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Formal proceedings have begun for the construction of a new modern convention centre in Lahore. The Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab has decided to develop a state of the art facility aimed at hosting large-scale ceremonies, exhibitions, conferences, and public and private sector events in the city.
According to officials, the proposed convention centre will be constructed over an area of 248,424 square feet, while Rs 4.87 billion has been allocated for the project. The initiative is intended to strengthen Lahore’s event infrastructure and make the city more suitable for major national and international gatherings.
The competent authority has invited applications from construction contractors for the project until June 4. Following the completion of the application and procedural stages, construction work is expected to begin in July or August.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Total cement dispatches in Pakistan increased by 11.14% year on year in April 2026, reaching 3.890 million tons compared to 3.500 million tons in the same month last year.
According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local market dispatches stood at 3.217 million tons during April 2026, up from 2.677 million tons in April 2025, reflecting a strong growth of 20.17% in domestic sales.
In contrast, exports recorded a decline. Cement exports fell by 18.22% to 673,058 tons in April 2026, compared to 823,032 tons during the same period last year. Cement mills in the northern region dispatched 2.662 million tons to the local market during April, marking an 18.25% increase from 2.251 million tons a year earlier. No exports were recorded from northern mills during the month. Total dispatches from the northern region stood at 2.662 million tons, reflecting a year on year increase of 12.52%.
In the southern region, domestic dispatches also showed significant growth. Southern mills supplied 555,104 tons to the local market in April 2026, compared to 425,869 tons in April 2025, registering a 30.35% increase. However, exports from the southern region declined by 5.01% to 673,058 tons, down from 708,565 tons last year. Total dispatches from southern mills reached 1.228 million tons, showing an overall increase of 8.26%.
During the first ten months of the current fiscal year (July to April), total cement dispatches, including both domestic sales and exports, reached 42.396 million tons, up 9.83% from 38.600 million tons in the same period last year.
Domestic dispatches during this period rose by 11.33% to 34.785 million tons, while exports increased by 3.47% to 7.611 million tons.
Region wise data shows that northern mills dispatched 29.014 million tons to the local market during July to April, reflecting a 12.56% increase. However, exports from the northern region declined sharply by 35.39% to 797,679 tons.
Southern mills recorded domestic dispatches of 5.771 million tons during the same period, up 5.56%, while exports from the southern region increased by 11.31% to 6.813 million tons.
An APCMA spokesperson expressed optimism that improving geopolitical conditions in the coming weeks would support the global economy and reduce energy related uncertainties.
The spokesperson also expressed hope that the upcoming federal budget would introduce industry-friendly policies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s cement sector.