Punjab Province

Lahore | Riaz Hussain, ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that record speed, high quality and transparency have been ensured in road construction and restoration projects across the province, resulting in the completion of 1,129 roads in just 75 days and setting a new national record for development work.
A review meeting on development projects of the Communication and Works Department was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, where a detailed briefing was given on ongoing and completed road sector projects, utilization of development funds and schemes planned for the next financial year.
The meeting was informed that major progress has been made in rural road infrastructure under the Chief Minister’s “Sohnay Pind, Sohnian Rahwan” programme. In only 75 days, 1,129 roads with a combined length of 1,795 kilometers were completed at a cost of Rs 30 billion. From April to July this year, a total road network of 6,000 kilometers was completed, while 32,000 roads have been constructed or restored during the Chief Minister’s two and a half years in office.
According to the briefing, 99 percent utilization of development funds was ensured in the road sector. A total of Rs 125 billion has been allocated for the Chief Minister’s initiative, local roads programme and projects nearing completion. Under the local roads programme, 1,567 development schemes costing Rs 79 billion are being carried out, covering 3,400 kilometers of roads.
The meeting was told that the field staff of the Communication and Works Department worked day and night in three shifts to complete several projects ahead of schedule. Effective planning in road restoration projects also resulted in historic savings of Rs 11 billion.
The briefing further stated that the 93.5 kilometer Multan Vehari Dual Road, the 24 kilometer Faisalabad Chiniot Dual Road and the 13 kilometer Tourism Highway Dual Road have been completed. In addition, 77 percent work has been completed on 86 schemes under Phase One of the Road Restoration Programme, while 31 percent work has been completed on 41 schemes under Phase Two. All 124 flood affected roads have also been fully restored.
The meeting approved the establishment of six new international standard service areas under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, expected to generate around Rs 500 million in annual revenue. The Chief Minister directed that all six service areas be made fully operational by December this year. She also ordered accelerated work on beautification of the Ring Road, restoration of the Northern Loop and improvement of entry and exit points on highways across Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure proper lane marking on all highways in Punjab and to present a final completion timeline for all roads currently under construction across the province.
The meeting was also informed that 42 new road construction schemes have been included in the new financial programme. Rs 17 billion has been approved for local roads and Rs 17.23 billion for the Chief Minister’s initiative. A total of 907 schemes, including Faisalabad Chiniot Phase Two under public private partnership, have also been approved.
The meeting further decided to immediately construct and restore flood affected local roads and complete unfinished and underfunded road projects left by previous governments at a cost of Rs 14 billion. Funds worth Rs 51 billion have also been approved for the construction of new roads in Punjab.
At the end of the meeting, the Communication and Works Department presented a commemorative souvenir to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The Chief Minister appreciated the department’s performance in completing projects within the stipulated timeframe and directed officials to maintain both the pace and quality of development work.

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its crackdown against illegal commercial activities and commercial fee defaulters, sealing a total of 154 properties during operations across different parts of the city.
The operation was carried out by the Town Planning Wing in the LDA controlled area on the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq.
According to the LDA, the actions were conducted in Gulberg, New Garden Town, New Muslim Town, Gujjarpura, Gulshan Ravi, Revenue Society, Naz Town and Sabzazar, where several properties were sealed over illegal commercial use, non payment of commercial fees and as part of the recovery campaign.
As per details, 27 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town over illegal commercial use. Similarly, 50 properties were sealed in New Muslim Town, Gujjarpura and Gulshan Ravi for illegal commercial activity and non payment of commercial fees.
Additionally, 42 properties were sealed in Revenue Society and 20 in Naz Town. During the recovery operation, 15 more properties were sealed in Sabzazar.
LDA officials said the sealed properties included private schools, academies, colleges, pharmacies, clinics, laboratories, grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, food points, bakeries, beauty salons, electric stores, auto workshops, shops, offices and other commercial establishments found violating rules or defaulting on dues.
The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner One Asaduz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali, while the relevant town planning teams carried out simultaneous actions at different locations.
LDA DG Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings, commercial fee defaulters and violators of regulations would continue. He said enforcement of urban planning rules would be ensured strictly and legal action would be taken against all violations.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Punjab government has allocated development funds for the construction of one flyover and six underpasses in Rawalpindi and Gujar Khan under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026 27, reinforcing its commitment to modernising urban transport infrastructure and easing traffic congestion in one of the province's busiest regions.
According to the provincial development budget, PKR 100 million has been allocated during the current fiscal year for the construction of the Ammar Chowk Flyover in Rawalpindi. The project forms part of the city's Mall Signal Free Corridor Project and carries an estimated total cost of PKR 3 billion. Once completed, the flyover is expected to improve traffic movement along one of Rawalpindi's most heavily travelled corridors by eliminating signal related delays and reducing travel time.
In another major allocation, the provincial government has earmarked PKR 200 million for the construction of the Race Course Underpass and the Army Graveyard Underpass, both of which are designed to improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion at key intersections within the city.
The ADP also includes PKR 93 million for the Tulsa Chowk Underpass, a project with an estimated cost of PKR 2.691 billion, while PKR 100 million has been allocated for the COD Underpass, which is expected to cost approximately PKR 3.75 billion upon completion.
Beyond Rawalpindi city, the provincial government has extended infrastructure development to Gujar Khan, where PKR 100 million has been allocated for the construction of two new underpasses at Galiana Mor and Technical College Chowk. The combined estimated cost of these two projects stands at PKR 4.531 billion, reflecting the government's broader strategy to improve regional road connectivity and accommodate increasing traffic volumes in growing urban centres.
The allocations form part of the Punjab government's wider infrastructure development agenda under the ADP 2026–27, which prioritises investment in road networks, urban mobility and transport efficiency. Officials expect the projects to improve connectivity, enhance road safety, reduce traffic bottlenecks and support long term economic activity by facilitating smoother movement of commuters and commercial transport across the Rawalpindi region.
The flyover and underpass schemes complement several other transport initiatives announced under the current development programme, underscoring the provincial government's focus on strengthening infrastructure and supporting sustainable urban growth through strategic public investment.