Punjab Province

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The automated building plan approval system “eBiz” in Lahore is facing serious technical and administrative issues, causing significant inconvenience and unusually long delays for citizens. Although the system was introduced to ensure transparency and speed up approvals, it is increasingly becoming an obstacle rather than a facilitation tool.
According to sources, the backlog of pending applications at the Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) One Window Cell has increased to 18 days, prompting serious concern from senior officials. Citizens report that even minor building plan approvals are being delayed unnecessarily, disrupting construction projects across the city.
Reports indicate that a lack of effective monitoring of the eBiz system and the unnecessary delay of cases have also drawn the ire of the Chief Secretary’s office. In a related meeting, LDA officials reportedly faced tough questions and criticism over the situation.
Sources further reveal that citizens’ applications are being repeatedly transferred between various departments, particularly the Town Planning Wing and the Directorate of Architect, resulting in further delays and procedural complications.
It has also been reported that poor coordination between the LDA IT Wing and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) is worsening the situation, while internal blame-shifting among departments has further hindered efforts to improve the system.
Officials maintain that the primary objective of the E-Biz system was to streamline, digitize, and make the building plan approval process more transparent and efficient.
However, due to ongoing administrative and technical challenges, the system is currently causing delays and difficulties rather than providing relief to citizens.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched a large-scale enforcement operation across the city against illegal constructions, unauthorized commercial activities, and defaulters of commercial fees, resulting in the demolition of multiple structures and the sealing of 193 properties. The action was carried out under the special directives of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq by the Town Planning Wing.
LDA teams conducted operations in several areas including Punjab University Society, Naz Town, PCSIR Society, Nishat e Iqbal, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Gulshan Ravi, Gojra Purra, Samanabad, Allama Iqbal Town, and Sabzazar. During the operation, several illegal shops and constructions were demolished, while multiple properties were sealed for unauthorized commercial use and non-payment of dues.
According to LDA officials, illegal constructions were removed in Punjab University Society, while unauthorized shops were also targeted in Naz Town, PCSIR Society, and Nishat e Iqbal Road. On Jan Muhammad Road, 30 properties were sealed for illegal commercial use, while 24 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town.
The authority further stated that 89 properties were sealed in Gulshan Ravi, Gojra Purra, and Samanabad over illegal commercial activities and non-payment of commercial fees. Additionally, 50 more properties were sealed during a recovery operation in Allama Iqbal Town and Sabzazar.
The sealed premises include private schools, academies, pharmacies, clinics, grocery stores, hardware shops, electric outlets, beauty salons, workshops, restaurants, food points, offices, and other commercial establishments.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad ul Zaman and Chief Town Planner-II Azhar Ali. Director General LDA Tahir Farooq reiterated that indiscriminate action against illegal constructions, unauthorized commercial buildings, and fee defaulters will continue to ensure the enforcement of laws across the city.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched “e Biz,” the province’s first comprehensive digital platform aimed at modernizing business operations and eliminating bureaucratic hurdles faced by investors and entrepreneurs. According to officials, the initiative is designed to provide business related services from multiple departments including housing, communications and works, commerce, industry, and environment through a single, streamlined platform offering faster, more transparent, and business friendly procedures.
The project was developed under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and supervised by Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman. Government officials described the initiative as a major step toward improving the business climate in Punjab, restoring investor confidence, and promoting economic activity across the province.
Authorities said that, in the initial phase, 280 business-related government services from various departments have been integrated into the platform. Of these, 121 services belong to the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department, while 34 services are linked to the Industries, Commerce and Investment Department, 26 to Forests and Wildlife, 16 to Mines and Minerals, 11 to Livestock and Dairy Development, 10 to district administration, nine to agriculture, and eight to irrigation.
In addition, services related to tourism, transport, energy, environment, communications and works, fisheries, housing, health, excise, finance, and special education will also be incorporated into the e-Biz portal in phases.
Government sources described the consolidation of scattered approval and licensing systems into a unified digital platform as a significant administrative reform. Officials believe the initiative will not only improve coordination among departments but also spare business owners from making repeated visits to multiple government offices.
One of the portal’s key features is the “Ask Once” policy, under which applicants are required to submit their basic information only once. The data will then be securely and automatically shared with relevant departments, reducing duplication and saving both time and resources.
The platform also incorporates modern technological features including artificial intelligence-based scrutiny of documents and maps, workflow automation, and digital identity verification. Officials said these measures would significantly improve transparency and efficiency in the approval process while reducing delays associated with traditional paperwork and manual procedures.
According to sources, nearly 80,000 applications have already been received since the launch of the e-Biz portal, which authorities describe as a positive response from the business community. The Punjab government says additional departments and services will gradually be integrated into the system, transforming it into the province’s central business facilitation hub.