Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has allocated funding for the feasibility studies of two landmark railway projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026 27, marking a significant step towards modernising the province's transport infrastructure and improving regional connectivity.
According to the ADP, the provincial government has earmarked PKR 200 million during the current fiscal year for the feasibility study of the proposed Lahore Rawalpindi High Speed Rail project. The total estimated cost of the feasibility study stands at PKR 452 million. The proposed rail corridor is expected to evaluate the technical, financial and operational viability of introducing a high speed passenger railway between Punjab's two largest urban centres, potentially reducing travel time while strengthening economic integration.
In another major initiative aimed at promoting tourism, the government has allocated PKR 49 million for the feasibility and initial development of the proposed Rawalpindi Murree Glass Train project. The tourist rail scheme carries an estimated cost of PKR 117 billion and is designed to provide a scenic rail connection between Rawalpindi and the hill station of Murree. Authorities have already initiated land acquisition for the railway alignment and station sites in Murree, indicating that preparatory work is progressing alongside planning activities.
The ADP further demonstrates the provincial government's emphasis on improving transport infrastructure through continued investment in strategic road projects. A sum of PKR 3 billion has been allocated for the 38 kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project extending from Banth to the Thalian Main Carriageway. The overall project is estimated to cost PKR 47 billion, of which approximately PKR 29 billion has already been spent.
To support the next phase of the Ring Road network, the government has also earmarked PKR 69 million for the feasibility study of Ring Road Phase II, which will extend the route from Thalian to GT Road.
Urban mobility projects have also received funding under the development programme. The government has allocated PKR 100 million for the proposed Ammar Chowk Flyover, part of the Mall Signal Free Corridor project, which has an estimated total cost of PKR 3 billion. In addition, PKR 200 million has been reserved for the construction of the Race Course and Army Graveyard Underpasses, aimed at easing traffic congestion along key corridors.
Further allocations include PKR 93 million for the Tulsa Chowk Underpass, a project estimated to cost PKR 2.691 billion, and PKR 100 million for the COD Underpass, which has an estimated cost of PKR 3.75 billion.
In Gujar Khan, the provincial government has allocated PKR 100 million for the construction of two underpasses at Galiana Mor and Technical College Chowk. The combined estimated cost of these projects is PKR 4.531 billion, with the schemes expected to improve traffic flow and road safety in the rapidly expanding urban area.
The allocations reflect the Punjab government's broader strategy of investing in modern rail transportation, expanding tourism infrastructure and upgrading road networks to support economic growth, improve regional connectivity and accommodate increasing urban mobility demands across the province.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
On the directives of Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing has intensified action against illegal commercial use and non payment of commercial fees.
LDA teams carried out operations in different parts of the LDA controlled area and sealed a total of 115 properties. The operations were conducted in Gulberg, Faisal Town, Samanabad, Canal Road, Gulshan Ravi and Allama Iqbal Town.
According to the spokesperson, 30 properties were sealed in Gulberg and Faisal Town over illegal commercial use, while 61 properties were sealed in Samanabad, Canal Road and Gulshan Ravi for illegal commercial activity and non-payment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation, LDA teams also took action in Allama Iqbal Town and sealed several properties. The sealed premises included private schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, food points, bakeries, beauty salons, auto workshops, shops, offices and other commercial units.
The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad uz Zaman.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action would continue against illegal commercial buildings and properties defaulting on commercial fees. He said legal action would be taken without any leniency against properties violating rules within the LDA controlled area.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin chaired an important meeting on the expansion of the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme, reviewing its scope, loan mechanism and targets for the next financial year.
Noorul Amin Mengal and PHATA Director General Sikandar Zeeshan briefed the meeting on the structure of the programme, progress achieved so far and the proposed expansion plan.
Housing Minister Bilal Yasin said loans under the programme would be provided on an interest free basis through a low cost and transparent mechanism. He said citizens would be able to obtain loans ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million through an e portal for constructing a new portion, repairing a house or laying a roof.
He said the programme was not limited to the construction of new houses, as it would also support the repair of dilapidated homes and improvement of basic residential facilities for low income families.
The meeting was informed that interest free loans have so far been issued to 170,000 families under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme. Bilal Yasin expressed the commitment that another 100,000 families would be provided interest free loans for house construction during the next financial year.