Faisalabad Division

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
Punjab’s Rs 7.575 billion project to dualize the Faisalabad Chiniot Sargodha Road has entered its final phase, with authorities directed to complete the scheme within the stipulated timeframe while ensuring strict compliance with construction quality standards.
The progress of the project was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Punjab Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth. Officials briefed the meeting that work on the dualization of the Faisalabad Chiniot Sargodha Road is progressing according to schedule.
According to the briefing, the 24 kilometre section from Kamalpur Interchange to Tehsil Chowk Chiniot is in its final stage. Asphalt work has been completed across the entire stretch, while lane marking, road signage, median construction and other finishing works are currently underway.
The provincial minister said that after completion, the project would provide safer, faster and more comfortable travel between Faisalabad, Chiniot and Sargodha. The dual carriageway is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and enhance road safety for both passengers and commercial vehicles.
Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said the project is part of the Punjab government’s broader strategy to expand a modern, safe and durable road network across the province. He added that improved road infrastructure would support trade, industrial and agricultural activity, investment and the regional economy.
He said the Communications and Works Department is carrying forward development projects under the principles of transparency, quality and timely completion, with the objective of providing better travel facilities to the public and strengthening connectivity between different cities of Punjab.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided two anti-smog guns to Faisalabad as part of Punjab’s broader efforts to control air pollution and reduce the impact of smog before the winter season.
EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh inaugurated the anti-smog machines at the DC Office Complex in Faisalabad. The initiative is aimed at improving air quality in the city by using modern technology to suppress dust and airborne particles at pollution hotspots.
During the ceremony, The University of Faisalabad and the EPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote research on smog prevention and control. Officials said the collaboration would help strengthen scientific studies, public awareness and practical measures for reducing air pollution in urban areas.
Participants at the event were briefed on various steps being taken to control smog, including the use of anti-smog guns, monitoring of pollution sources, and preventive measures to reduce dust and emissions.
Speaking to the media, EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said the anti-smog guns had been introduced in Faisalabad after similar equipment was used in Lahore last year. He said the machines release a fine mist of water into the air, which helps settle dust and other suspended particles that contribute to smog.
He added that the Punjab government is continuing to use modern technology and preventive planning to improve environmental conditions across the province. According to officials, such measures are particularly important ahead of the winter months, when smog levels usually rise due to weather conditions, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and dust.
The EPA said the deployment of anti-smog guns in Faisalabad reflects the government’s focus on expanding pollution control initiatives beyond Lahore and addressing air quality challenges in other major cities of Punjab.
Environmental experts believe that while anti-smog guns can help reduce dust in specific areas, long-term improvement in air quality will require strict action against industrial emissions, vehicle smoke, crop residue burning, construction dust and other major sources of pollution.
Officials said the EPA would continue working with academic institutions, local administrations and relevant departments to develop effective strategies for smog control and environmental protection in Punjab.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has welcomed the real estate and property related incentives announced in the Federal Budget 2026-27, terming them a positive step toward reviving investment, accelerating economic activity and restoring confidence in one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said the real estate and construction sectors serve as a backbone of the national economy, as dozens of industries are directly and indirectly linked with property development, construction activity and housing-related investment. He said any revival in the property market produces a wider economic impact through increased demand for construction materials, higher industrial activity, job creation and fresh investment flows.
Reacting to the federal budget after watching the budget speech at the FCCI complex, Sheikh said the government’s decision to reduce withholding tax on property transactions to 2.75 percent, along with the lowering of certain other taxes on the purchase and sale of properties, was a constructive and far reaching measure.
He said the reduction in transaction related taxes would help reactivate the real estate market, encourage genuine buyers and investors, and bring confidence back to a sector that had been under pressure due to high taxation and rising financial burdens.
According to the FCCI President, the business community had long been demanding relief for sectors that directly contribute to investment, commercial activity and employment generation. He said excessive taxation on property transactions had discouraged market participation and slowed down activity in real estate and construction linked businesses.
Sheikh said the property sector’s revival would not remain limited to buyers and sellers alone, but would also benefit allied industries including cement, steel, bricks, tiles, sanitary fittings, electrical equipment, paint, furniture and other construction-related businesses. He added that a vibrant real estate market could play an important role in supporting national income and expanding the tax base.
He appreciated the government, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the economic team for introducing budgetary relief for important sectors, saying that practical measures were needed to strengthen investor confidence and promote sustainable economic recovery.
The FCCI President said sustainable growth depends heavily on private-sector development. When businesses and investors are provided confidence, facilitation and policy continuity, the benefits appear in the form of higher production, more employment opportunities and increased economic activity, he added.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s economic challenges could be addressed through investment promotion, continuity in policies and a business-friendly taxation system. He said the government should continue consulting chambers of commerce, developers, builders, traders and other stakeholders during the budget approval process to ensure that the final measures support long-term economic revival.
Sheikh expressed optimism that the relief measures announced for the real estate sector would help restore momentum in the property market and create a positive impact across connected industries.