Punjab Province

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
Property registrations across Rawalpindi District have slowed significantly following the implementation of a mandatory physical property inspection requirement for all land transactions, according to property dealers and local reports. The new procedure, introduced as part of the land registration process, requires revenue officials to complete on site verification before any sale can be formally registered.
Under the revised rules, patwaris and girdawars must physically inspect each property, verify its boundaries, measure the land, record details of the adjoining road network and prepare the relevant land records before registration documents can be processed. Official notices displayed at registrar offices state that these inspections are compulsory for every property offered for sale.
The additional verification step has reportedly caused delays at registrar offices throughout the district, with property professionals saying the registration process has become considerably slower than before. According to the Property Dealers Union, transactions that were previously completed within approximately two days are now taking as long as two weeks because inspections by both the patwari and the girdawar must be completed before registration can proceed.
The union also argued that the new requirement has reduced the effectiveness of Punjab's recently introduced Green Property Certificate system, which was designed to simplify and accelerate property transactions through greater digitisation and transparency.
Property dealers further highlighted that internet connectivity issues continue to disrupt online registration services, forcing greater reliance on manual field inspections. They contend that the combination of technical challenges and mandatory physical verification has created additional procedural hurdles for buyers and sellers.
Industry representatives have expressed concern that the extended registration process could create more opportunities for administrative delays and discretionary practices, potentially affecting ordinary citizens, investors and overseas Pakistanis seeking to buy or transfer property in Rawalpindi.
Despite the criticism from stakeholders, the mandatory inspection requirement remains in force, with authorities requiring physical verification as part of efforts to ensure the accuracy of land records and property boundaries before ownership transfers are officially recorded.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Acting on the directions of Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing carried out a major operation against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters across different parts of Lahore, sealing a total of 103 properties.
According to the LDA, the enforcement actions were conducted in Gulberg, New Garden Town, China Scheme, Shadman, Poonch Road, New Muslim Town and Allama Iqbal Town. The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman.
Officials said 29 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town over unauthorized commercial use. Another 59 properties were sealed in China Scheme, Shadman, Poonch Road and New Muslim Town for illegal commercial activity and nonpayment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation in Allama Iqbal Town, LDA teams sealed 15 additional properties.
The sealed premises included private schools, colleges, academies, halls, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, clinics, hardware and electrical stores, pharmacies, shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against unauthorized commercial use, unapproved business activities and commercial fee defaulters would continue. He added that strict enforcement of building and commercial regulations would be ensured across the city.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
Two Chinese shareholders of Masood Textile Mills Limited have agreed to sell a combined 18.31 percent stake in the company to UAE based Velora Global Ventures F.Z.C. through separate share purchase agreements.
According to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Shanghai Challenge Textile Company Limited will sell a 7 percent stake in Masood Textile Mills, while Zhejiang Xinao Industry Company Limited will divest its entire 11.31 percent shareholding.
The acquisition will be completed through phased quarterly transactions over approximately three years. Completion of the deal will remain subject to approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan and other applicable legal and regulatory authorities.
Shanghai Challenge Textile currently owns 17,396,833 ordinary shares in Masood Textile Mills, representing approximately 25.77 percent of the company’s issued and paid-up share capital. It will transfer the proposed 7 percent stake through 11 equal quarterly instalments.
Zhejiang Xinao Industry holds 7,636,550 ordinary shares, representing an 11.31 percent stake in Masood Textile Mills. The company will dispose of its entire shareholding through 10 equal quarterly instalments.
Velora Global Ventures said it would acquire the shares through separate agreements with the two Chinese companies. The UAE based firm also plans to submit a pre-merger application to the Competition Commission of Pakistan before completing the transaction.
Both Chinese shareholders said their notifications were intended only to inform Masood Textile Mills about the proposed transactions. They clarified that the sale of shares did not require the approval or consent of Masood Textile Mills.
Shanghai Challenge Textile was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Shanghai. It manufactures functional fabrics, sportswear materials, ready-made garments and medical protective products for international brands.
Zhejiang Xinao Industry is part of China’s Xinao Group and specialises in the production of worsted wool, cashmere and blended yarns.
Velora Global Ventures is a UAE registered company based in the Ajman Free Zone. However, publicly available information regarding its ownership and wider business activities remains limited.
Masood Textile Mills was incorporated in 1984 and has been listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange since 1988. The company manufactures cotton and synthetic fibre yarn, knitted and dyed fabrics, and garments.