Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has approved the establishment of the Asset Management Authority of Punjab (AMAP), a new autonomous institution that will oversee the identification, management, valuation and monetisation of government owned land and other public assets across the province. The initiative is aimed at improving governance, enhancing transparency, increasing provincial revenues and ensuring the efficient utilisation of state-owned assets.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who approved the creation of the authority as part of the government's broader reforms to modernise public asset management and unlock the economic potential of underutilised government properties.
According to officials, AMAP will function as the province's central institution for all matters relating to government assets, including their identification, transfer, valuation, disposal, payments, marketing and long-term management. The authority will also develop a comprehensive database of provincial assets to ensure effective oversight and strategic planning.
The new authority will place particular emphasis on identifying government owned land and properties with strong investment and privatisation potential. It will adopt multiple commercial and financing models, including long term leasing, rental agreements, public private partnerships (PPPs), joint ventures and other investment structures to maximise the economic value of public assets while ensuring transparency and accountability.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant departments to increase provincial revenues by making better commercial use of public assets through carefully planned sale, lease and collateral financing mechanisms. She observed that Punjab had long lacked a dedicated institution responsible for managing its scattered public assets, resulting in inefficient utilisation and leaving many government properties vulnerable to illegal encroachments.
She said the establishment of AMAP would bring all provincial assets under a single autonomous authority, enabling better protection, professional management and more effective decision making. She added that the new system would improve coordination among government departments while ensuring that public resources are utilised in a manner that delivers long-term economic benefits for the province.
Officials informed the meeting that AMAP will operate under a governing board headed by the Chief Secretary of Punjab, while its day to day affairs will be managed by a Managing Director of BPS-20 rank. To strengthen institutional capacity and introduce modern asset management practices, qualified professionals from the private sector will also be inducted strictly on merit.
The meeting was further informed that all major decisions relating to the transfer, valuation and management of provincial assets will remain subject to the approval of the Punjab Cabinet, ensuring institutional oversight and transparency in the authority's operations.
The establishment of AMAP is expected to play a key role in strengthening Punjab's fiscal position by generating additional non-tax revenues, improving the protection of government assets, encouraging private investment and supporting sustainable economic development through more efficient management of public resources.

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.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court, during the hearing of a case, made strong observations about the role of the revenue authority, stating that arbitrary practices exist within the department and that a patwari can write multiple reports according to people’s wishes.
The court observed that the revenue authority does not correct itself. Later, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court disposed of a petition against alleged interference in the possession of leased land in light of a report submitted by the CPO Gujranwala.
During the hearing, the court remarked that the police must examine the matter only within the limits of their jurisdiction, while civil disputes fall within the domain of civil courts. The court made it clear that the Lahore High Court was not deciding the ownership of the property.
Petitioner’s counsel Maqsood Butter argued that a civil judge had already issued a stay order in favour of the petitioner. He submitted that the petitioner had leased 84 acres of land in Nowshera Virkan from overseas Pakistani owners for 15 years, but local influential persons were allegedly trying to dispossess the petitioner through the police.
The counsel further told the court that despite complaints, the police were allegedly supporting the influential individuals. He requested the court to restrain the police from interfering in the petitioner’s possession.
In his report, CPO Gujranwala Dr. Sardar Ghiyas stated that the police had cancelled the case, written to the IG for action against the relevant DSP, and charge sheeted the concerned SHO.
The court questioned under what law the FIR had been registered when the Lahore High Court had already granted a stay order. It also expressed displeasure over the DSP changing his statement and remarked that in what capacity the DSP had said that no one should enter the land.
Subsequently, the court disposed of the petition in light of the report submitted by the CPO Gujranwala.