Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has initiated extensive development projects under the Punjab Development Plan, allocating Rs200 billion to tackle long-standing sewerage and drainage issues across the province. According to a report by the Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority (PWASA), these projects are designed to improve drainage systems, prevent urban flooding, and enhance public sanitation infrastructure in critical areas.
The projects cover multiple districts and involve the construction and rehabilitation of main sewer lines, stormwater drains, pumping stations, and water treatment facilities. PWASA officials emphasized that the initiatives aim to address bottlenecks in existing drainage networks and improve water flow in both densely populated neighborhoods and developing localities.
The funding also includes upgrades to wastewater management systems to reduce environmental hazards and support sustainable land use planning. The initiative is expected to minimize the impact of heavy rainfall, prevent sewer overflows, and protect property and public spaces from waterlogging.
PWASA has coordinated with local administration to ensure proper implementation, timely monitoring, and adherence to quality standards. The projects are planned in phases, with priority given to high-risk areas where drainage inefficiencies have historically caused significant disruptions to traffic, residential areas, and commercial centers.
Officials stated that these development works will not only improve public health and sanitation but also enhance the functionality and resilience of critical infrastructure across Punjab. The government is also engaging with contractors and technical experts to ensure that the projects incorporate modern engineering standards and long-term maintenance strategies. The initiative forms part of Punjab’s broader development strategy to strengthen infrastructure, mitigate climate-related risks, and provide safer, more sustainable living conditions for residents throughout the province.

Lahore: Hasnain Olakh, Special Correspondent | Re News Pakistan
The first public auction of 2026 for residential and commercial plots was held at Expo Centre Johar Town, generating a record revenue of PKR 3,28,13,81,600.
Under the special efforts of Director General LDA Tahir Farooq, the authority continues to show steady improvement in revenue generation. Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmed personally reviewed the auction proceedings. Members of the LDA Auction Committee, Additional DG Housing, Additional DG Urban Planning, Director Finance, Director Auction, Directors Housing and other relevant officials supervised the process.
In the first auction of 2026, LDA auctioned 61 residential and commercial plots, along with a petrol pump site, marque site, health and education sites, public utility sites and lease rights for a sports complex salon.
The lease rights of a commercial building at Finance and Trade Centre Johar Town were auctioned at PKR 8 crore 20 lakh per annum. Plot No 165 Commercial Zone LDA Avenue One petrol pump site was auctioned for PKR 6 crore 30 lakh. Plots No 76, 77 and 78 at Finance and Trade Centre Johar Town marque site were auctioned at PKR 1 crore 90 lakh per annum. Plots No 411 to 416 and 443 to 448 Block D Two Johar Town marque site were auctioned at PKR 4 crore 6 lakh per annum.
Plot No 90 Civic Centre Sabzazar health and education site was auctioned at PKR 86 lakh per annum. A constructed school site on Walton Road Packages Area was auctioned at PKR 42 lakh per annum. Plot No 402 Block B Sabzazar health and education site was auctioned at PKR 22 lakh per annum. Plots No 50 A One and 50 A Two Rachna Block Allama Iqbal Town health and education site were auctioned at PKR 31 lakh 20 thousand per annum. Plot No 808 Block D Jubilee Town health and education site was auctioned at PKR 33 lakh per annum.
Plot No 339 A Block B Johar Town was auctioned for PKR 27 lakh 50 thousand. Lease rights of a ladies salon at Sabzazar Sports Complex were auctioned at PKR 4 lakh 40 thousand per annum. Plot No 251 Block F Johar Town sports site was auctioned for PKR 19 lakh 80 thousand.
A public utility site at Lake City Bella Vista Golf Estate Three was auctioned for PKR 1 crore 15 crore 23 lakh 60 thousand. A public interest plot in AA Sector D Bahria Town was auctioned for PKR 42 crore. Commercial Plot No 427 Block D Two Johar Town was sold for PKR 7 crore 5 lakh, while Plot No 428 Block D Two was sold for PKR 7 crore 65 lakh.
Commercial Plot No 291 B Block K Johar Town was auctioned for PKR 2 crore 34 lakh 60 thousand, Plot No 291 C for PKR 2 crore 68 lakh 55 thousand and Plot No 291 D for PKR 2 crore 95 lakh 20 thousand. Plot No 132 Block F One was auctioned for PKR 72 lakh 3 thousand.
In Jubilee Town, Commercial Plot No 2 Block B was auctioned for PKR 18 crore 40 lakh and Plot No 123 Corner Block A for PKR 17 crore 86 lakh 64 thousand. Plots No 633 slash 7 and 633 slash 8 Block A were auctioned at PKR 1 crore 17 lakh 98 thousand each.
In LDA City Jinnah Sector Business Bay, commercial plots No 4, 5, 6, 7, 77 Corner, 78, 79 and 80 were auctioned between PKR 2 crore 32 lakh and PKR 4 crore 8 lakh.
In LDA Avenue One Commercial Zone, Plots No 3, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 were auctioned between PKR 3 crore 48 lakh 48 thousand and PKR 4 crore 59 lakh 34 thousand.
Commercial Plot No 62 Civic Centre Sabzazar was auctioned for PKR 6 crore 31 lakh 95 thousand. In Allama Iqbal Town Fruit Market, Plots No 25 and 13 were auctioned for PKR 2 crore 93 lakh 89 thousand and PKR 1 crore 43 lakh 6 thousand respectively.
In Mustafa Town, Commercial Plots No 312, 313 and 343 were auctioned for PKR 55 lakh, PKR 54 lakh 60 thousand and PKR 59 lakh 51 thousand respectively.
Residential plots in Johar Town, Jubilee Town and Tajpura were auctioned at prices ranging from PKR 86 lakh to PKR 3 crore 36 lakh.
Overall, the first auction of 2026 reflected a positive investment trend, indicating sustained demand for residential and commercial property in Lahore and continued momentum in development activities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A delegation of the World Bank, led by its President Ajay Banga, met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore and conveyed continued financial and technical cooperation for housing schemes, municipal services and public infrastructure projects across the province.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed progress on ongoing programmes supported by the international lender and discussed expanding collaboration in sectors linked to residential construction, neighbourhood upgrading, waste management systems, and the provision of basic facilities in urban and semi-urban areas.
Special attention was given to the province’s flagship low-cost housing initiative, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, which aims to provide affordable homes and secure land tenure for low- and middle-income families. Officials highlighted the need for structured planning, improved utilities, and organized settlement layouts to accommodate growing populations.
The delegation also examined improvements in public health and education infrastructure, including the construction and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, and service centres, alongside the Suthra Punjab programme focused on sanitation, solid waste handling and cleaner city environments.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that partnerships with development institutions are helping the province strengthen its civic framework, modernise public facilities and create better living conditions for residents. She emphasized that planned land use, reliable services and accessible housing remain central to Punjab’s urban strategy.
The World Bank representatives acknowledged the pace of ongoing works and expressed readiness to continue supporting projects that enhance residential planning, municipal efficiency and long-term city management.
The meeting concluded with agreement to maintain close coordination to accelerate implementation of existing schemes and identify new areas for cooperation in housing and public infrastructure development.