Lahore Division

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority has decided to end the buying and selling of files in private and public housing schemes located within LDA limits. From July 1, 2026, the buying and selling of plots will be allowed only through PLRA’s property certificate.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by LDA Director General Tahir Farooq with representatives of private housing schemes. The meeting reviewed matters related to the issuance of property certificates, digital transfer of records and linking housing schemes with a uniform software system.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq said that from July 1, file trading in all schemes operating within LDA limits will be stopped. According to him, private housing schemes are required to transfer their complete records to the Punjab Land Records Authority’s Housing Societies Management System by June 30.
He made it clear that linking the records of private housing schemes with PLRA’s HSMS system will be mandatory. After July 1, citizens will be able to buy and sell plots only through property certificates, while legal action will be taken against schemes that fail to shift to the system.
Tahir Farooq said a QR code will be placed on the property certificate, through which all information related to the plot will be available with a single click. A public awareness campaign will also be launched to guide citizens about the new digital system, property certificates and the end of file trading.
According to the DG LDA, private schemes are being given sub registrar powers under the uniform software system, while LDA and PLRA will jointly provide training to the private sector on the use of the software. Private housing schemes will also be able to issue green certificates and registries through the digital portal.
During the meeting, representatives of private housing schemes welcomed the digital reforms and said the initiative would increase transparency in the real estate sector and restore investors’ confidence.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Metropolitan Planning officer, Directors of Metropolitan Planning, Chairman ABAD, owners and representatives of private housing schemes, and representatives of PLRA, LDA and the Senior Member Board of Revenue.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that model agriculture malls will be established in all districts of the province in phases, saying every possible step will be taken to facilitate farmers in Punjab. She said better days had arrived for farmers and Punjab’s agriculture sector was entering a new era of modern facilities.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that for the first time in Punjab, farmers were being provided agricultural needs, advisory services and modern facilities near their villages under one roof. According to her, the government’s objective is to move farmers away from traditional difficulties and connect them with a modern, organised and well facilitated agricultural system.
According to the report, the concept of a One Stop Agriculture Input Market has been introduced in Punjab under the chief minister’s farmer friendly vision. Under this initiative, farmers will have access to quality agricultural inputs, fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, modern agricultural equipment, expert guidance and other facilities at one place.
Model agriculture malls have become fully functional in four districts of Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Sargodha. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities to take immediate steps for the establishment of model agriculture malls in 10 more districts.
Under the government’s plan, model agriculture malls will also be set up in Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Attock and Mianwali, among other districts. The chief minister made it clear that the project would be expanded across Punjab in phases so that both small and large farmers could benefit equally from government facilities.
At the model agriculture malls, farmers will also be able to rent the latest agricultural machinery. This will allow small farmers to access equipment according to their needs instead of purchasing expensive machinery. According to officials, the initiative will help reduce production costs, improve crop yields and introduce modern practices in the agricultural process.
The management and operation of the agriculture malls are being carried out in partnership with the private sector to ensure transparent, effective and reliable services for farmers. The government says the model is aimed at combining official guidance with private sector efficiency in the agriculture sector.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched a province wide operation against illegal industrial units blamed for contributing to air pollution and recurring smog, as authorities intensify enforcement measures ahead of the winter season.
The campaign has been initiated on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif under a zero tolerance policy against environmental violations. According to officials, more than 100 illegal industrial units have been demolished across different parts of Punjab during the past 20 days.
Authorities say the latest operation marks a shift from routine sealing of illegal units to their permanent demolition, with the aim of eliminating pollution sources rather than allowing them to resume operations after temporary closure.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the crackdown is being carried out across districts, tehsils and union councils through a coordinated enforcement mechanism. She said all relevant departments have been directed to take indiscriminate action against units operating in violation of environmental laws.
In Lahore, monitoring has been expanded to the union council level, where enforcement teams are conducting surveys in residential, commercial and industrial areas. So far, more than 200 union councils and housing societies in the provincial capital have been surveyed as part of the campaign.
According to the minister, joint inspection teams include officials from the Environment Protection Department, union council secretaries and housing society managers.
These teams are identifying illegal industrial activity, particularly units operating inside populated areas and housing societies.
She said initial inspections have not confirmed the presence of illegal fat-melting units in the locations surveyed so far. However, the monitoring process will continue, and all suspicious sites will be checked through both ground inspections and aerial verification.
To strengthen transparency and improve enforcement, the government is also using drone surveillance to verify inspection findings. Officials believe this will help prevent concealment of illegal industrial operations and ensure more accurate reporting from the field.
The Punjab government has also appealed to citizens to actively support the campaign by reporting pollution-causing activities through the official helpline 1373. Authorities say public complaints will play an important role in identifying illegal units operating beyond the reach of routine inspections.
Officials said the anti-smog operation will continue in the coming weeks as part of a broader environmental strategy to reduce industrial emissions, improve air quality and protect public health in major urban centres of the province.
Punjab has repeatedly faced severe smog episodes in recent years, particularly during the winter months, when industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, construction dust and weather conditions combine to create hazardous air quality. The government says strict action against illegal polluting units is now a key part of its long-term smog control plan.