Lahore Division

Lahore: Riaz Hussain | ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq conducted a detailed visit to the Data Darbar expansion project, Bhati Chowk underpass and the underground Nasir Bagh parking plaza to review the pace, quality and progress of ongoing construction work.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab Zeeshan Malik accompanied him during the visit, while TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and project directors briefed the delegation on various projects.
Officials said development work on the Data Darbar expansion project is progressing rapidly. Tile work and greenery are underway at the shrine’s plaza, while the facade upgradation of properties around Data Darbar is also being carried out at a fast pace. Finishing work on the parking area, toilet block and pedestrian underpass is also continuing simultaneously.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab Zeeshan Malik appreciated the development work around the Data Darbar expansion project and said the completion of the project and Bhati Chowk underpass would provide major convenience to visitors and citizens by improving access, safety and mobility.
Officials briefed that work is underway simultaneously on both ramps of the Bhati Chowk underpass, while construction on the underpass barrel and retaining walls is being carried out round the clock. DG LDA Tahir Farooq directed the authorities concerned to further accelerate work on the Bhati Chowk underpass so citizens can benefit from the facility at the earliest.
Later, the DG LDA visited the underground Nasir Bagh parking plaza, where he was informed that nearly 65 percent of the project has been completed. According to the briefing, the grey structure of Basement Two has been completed, while work on Basement One is currently underway. The complete roof of Basement One is expected to be laid in the coming days.
Tahir Farooq reviewed the construction quality of the parking plaza in detail and directed that the parking management system, signage, fire alarm system and other safety arrangements be installed in line with international standards to provide citizens with a modern and secure parking facility.
He also instructed officials to ensure strict implementation of safety SOPs during construction activities in the monsoon season to protect workers and the public.
At the end of the visit, DG LDA Tahir Farooq planted a sapling at Nasir Bagh under the ongoing plantation campaign. Officials said more than 1,000 saplings would be planted in Nasir Bagh to promote greenery and improve the city’s environment.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
With the support of the Green Pakistan Initiative, barren land is being converted into cultivable farmland through modern corporate farming, marking an important step toward agricultural development, rural economic revival and export growth in Pakistan.
According to Arsalan Alawala, representative of Techno Agri and Foods, land reforms under the Green Pakistan Initiative have provided corporate groups with an opportunity to contribute to the revival of the rural economy.
He said Techno Agri and Foods has started corporate farming on 950 acres near Khushab and Mianwali. The project aims to make uncultivated land productive through modern farming methods and increase agricultural output in the country.
Arsalan Alawala said the company’s key objective is to transform Pakistan’s barren lands into cultivable areas and compete with modern agricultural countries. He added that Rhodes grass is being cultivated on a 260 acre block through a central pivot irrigation system, with exports expected to help generate valuable foreign exchange.
He said the existing 950 acre pilot project is planned to be expanded to 5,000 acres and beyond. According to him, the Green Pakistan Initiative has allowed corporate groups to take part in the rural economy, which could add significant long term value to Pakistan.
Experts believe that the Green Pakistan Initiative, through modern agricultural technology, corporate investment and productive use of barren land, can open new avenues for agricultural growth in Pakistan.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency has launched Pakistan’s first skimming boat to remove floating plastic waste from canals and rivers, marking a major step in the province’s campaign against plastic pollution.
According to officials, the pilot project will begin operations in the Lahore Canal, where a front-mounted collection system installed on the boat will gather plastic bags, bottles and other floating waste. The initiative is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the technology before expanding it to other waterways across Punjab.
The announcement was made during a seminar in Lahore held to mark Plastic Bag Free Day. Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat and EPA Punjab Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastic and protecting the environment.
According to EPA Punjab, more than 50,000 businesses have pledged to stop using banned plastic bags. Enforcement teams have confiscated over 600,000 kilograms of prohibited plastic and imposed fines exceeding Rs20 million on violators.
Officials said the province will continue strengthening its anti-plastic campaign through technology-based monitoring, stricter enforcement and implementation of the Punjab Plastic Management Strategy 2023. They also urged citizens and businesses to support efforts to make Punjab a plastic-free and environmentally sustainable province.