Lahore Division

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The revenue of the Lahore Development Authority has reached the highest level in its history, with the authority collecting more than Rs73.8 billion over the past two years, setting a new record. According to official figures, the LDA collected Rs 25 billion in revenue during the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025-26, while total receipts are expected to reach nearly Rs 29 billion by the end of the financial year.
Officials said the performance is being described as the most significant financial achievement in the authority’s history. Over the past decade, LDA revenue has recorded a 232 percent increase. In fiscal year 2016-17, the authority’s income stood at Rs 8.7 billion, which is now expected to rise to Rs 29 billion in FY2025-26.
According to the figures, LDA’s revenue has shown a major improvement over the past two years. Officials said the historic increase in receipts was made possible due to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s digital governance policy, regulatory reforms, institutional restructuring, online services and a more transparent system.
During this period, action against illegal commercialisation was intensified, the scope of digital property mapping was expanded and enforcement operations were made more effective.
Official data also presents a comparative overview of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf government’s four-year tenure and the current government’s period. According to the report, LDA’s total revenue during the four-year PTI tenure stood at Rs46.9 billion, while collections over the past two years have exceeded Rs 73.8 billion. Officials said the difference reflects institutional reforms, strict monitoring, effective enforcement of laws and improvement in the revenue system.
The LDA generated record receipts from multiple revenue sources, including commercialisation fees, illegal commercialisation charges, plot transfer fees, LDA City transfers, exemption fees, charges for extension in building completion periods, town planning fees and fines, lease income, share in urban immovable property tax, sale of plots and development charges.
Officials said more than Rs 2 billion was recovered in fines during the enforcement campaign against illegal commercial activities. Thousands of notices were issued during this period, while action was taken against properties violating rules in different areas of Lahore. Officials said these measures not only increased revenue but also improved compliance with regulations within the city limits.
The LDA also introduced business-friendly measures for investors and property owners. The auction process was simplified, certain land-use regulations were relaxed and digital platforms were activated to improve service delivery. According to the authority, these reforms facilitated citizens, builders, developers and investors, while reducing reliance on the traditional file-based system.
The impact of institutional improvement was also reflected in the performance of the LDA Citizen Facilitation Centre. According to the data, the centre processed more than 63,000 applications during 2025. During the same period, thousands of NOCs were issued, building plans were approved and a large number of transfer and commercialisation-related cases were disposed of. Officials said these figures reflect growing public confidence and increased use of the digital system.
Urban development experts said inflation, rising property values and market activity also contributed to the increase in LDA’s revenue. However, they described administrative reforms, effective monitoring, digital governance and better supervision of revenue streams as the key reasons behind the exceptional improvement.
Experts said that in view of Lahore’s rapidly growing urban population, expanding residential and commercial activity and increasing infrastructure needs, the role of the LDA will become even more important in the coming years. Government circles see LDA’s recent financial performance as an example of how digital reforms, transparency and effective enforcement of law can significantly improve the revenue and performance of public institutions.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority has sealed 211 properties in different parts of the city during a large scale operation against illegal commercial activities, non payment of commercial fees and unauthorized commercial use of residential buildings.
On the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing carried out operations in Gulberg, Model Town, Wapda Town, Gulshan Ravi, China Scheme, NMT Scheme, Mustafa Town and Azam Garden. During the operation, buildings being used illegally for commercial purposes and properties defaulting on commercial fees were sealed.
According to LDA officials, 49 properties were sealed in Gulshan Ravi, China Scheme and NMT Scheme over illegal commercial use and non payment of commercial fees. Similarly, 28 properties were sealed during action in Gulberg and Model Town Extension.
During the recovery operation, 24 properties were sealed in Mustafa Town and Azam Garden, while LDA teams took action in Wapda Town and sealed 75 illegal commercial shops and 35 other commercial properties.
The sealed properties include private schools, restaurants, food points, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, shops, offices and other business centres. Officials said the owners of these properties had been issued multiple notices over violations of rules and regulations, illegal commercial use or non payment of dues.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali. LDA teams, along with officials and staff from the relevant departments, conducted actions at different locations and sealed the properties in accordance with the law.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq has directed that indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings, unauthorized commercial activities and commercial fee defaulters should continue across LDA controlled areas. He said violations of building and commercial regulations in the city would not be tolerated and operations would continue to ensure enforcement of the law.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited various development projects underway in the city and reviewed progress on the Data Darbar expansion project, Bhati Chowk Underpass, the parking area in front of the Railway Station and beautification work from Railway Station to Circular Road.
During the visit to the Data Darbar expansion project, Secretary Auqaf Ehsan Bhutta also accompanied the LDA DG. Chief Engineer LDA Israr Saeed and Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain briefed the officials in detail on the ongoing work. Officials informed that work on all components of the Data Darbar expansion project is progressing simultaneously, while 73 percent of the project has been completed overall.
Secretary Auqaf Ehsan Bhutta also reviewed the finishing work of the parking area and pedestrian underpass. LDA DG Tahir Farooq was briefed on the progress of development work, construction quality and upcoming phases of the project. The LDA DG said the completion of the project would provide major relief to devotees visiting Data Darbar, citizens and residents of adjoining areas, while also improving traffic flow and civic facilities in the locality.
The LDA DG also inspected construction work underway on the Bhati Chowk Underpass. During the briefing, officials said work on the underpass was continuing round the clock without interruption. The LDA DG directed that progress reports for both shifts of the project should be monitored regularly so that the work could be completed according to the required standards and pace.
He said the construction of the Bhati Chowk Underpass would benefit hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily and significantly reduce traffic pressure in the city’s important entry points and historic areas.