Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain retired Muhammad Ali Ijaz has directed the relevant officials to immediately stop all construction activities being carried out without approved building plans and to take indiscriminate legal action against those involved in violations of approved maps.
The Lahore district administration launched a grand operation against illegal constructions in different areas of Shalimar Zone. During the action, one illegal multi-storey building was demolished, while six other buildings were sealed over violations of rules and regulations.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain retired Muhammad Ali Ijaz in the areas of Ayub Road, Mai Kami Road, Sher Shah Road, Gudday Shah Road and Haq Nawaz Road. Enforcement squads of the Town Planning Wing of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore also be took part in the operation.
According to the district administration, actions against illegal constructions will continue to ensure strict implementation of building laws across the city. The administration said compliance with construction regulations is essential to make Lahore a more organized, safe and beautiful city.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh High Court has upheld the National Accountability Bureau’s action to cancel the illegal allotment of approximately 800 acres of valuable government land in Karachi, dismissing multiple petitions filed by the beneficiaries of the disputed transactions.
According to details released by NAB, the court declared the allotments void from the outset and held that no legal protection could be extended to transactions built on a fraudulent foundation. The court also affirmed that NAB’s intervention and the cancellation of the allotments were lawful.
The case relates to one of Karachi’s major land scandals, which dates back to the early 1990s. NAB stated that the state owned urban land was allegedly transferred to private parties through fabricated evacuee claims, forged documents and the alleged involvement of corrupt officials. The land was later sold through multiple transactions at substantial profits.
Some of the disputed land includes facilities that form part of Karachi’s water supply system, while other portions had been reserved for public parks. Following NAB’s intervention, the bureau worked with the Sindh Board of Revenue to cancel fraudulent land records and restore the properties to government control.
The petitioners had argued before the court that they had not been given a proper hearing and were bona fide purchasers who were unaware of the alleged fraud. However, the court rejected these arguments and directed any affected buyers to seek legal remedy against those who sold them the disputed land, rather than against the State.
NAB said the ruling sends a clear message that government land obtained through fraud or illegal allotment will be traced and restored for public use.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan Railways has decided to auction 81 warehouses in Lahore on a ten year lease as part of its effort to place more of its land and commercial assets into productive use.
According to a circular issued by the Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways Lahore Division, the warehouses are located in and around Badami Bagh. They vary in size, with each site covering an area ranging from approximately 3,000 to 34,000 square feet.
The circular states that the warehouses were originally established to meet various administrative and operational requirements of Pakistan Railways. The railway administration has now decided to offer them for auction under fixed term lease arrangements.
The commercial use of railway land and warehouses can create an additional source of revenue for the organisation. Given Badami Bagh’s importance as a commercial and transport hub, the warehouses may attract interest from businesses involved in logistics, storage, wholesale trade and other commercial activities.
Successful bidders will be granted leases for a period of ten years. Financial terms, auction dates, bidding procedures and other conditions will be determined in accordance with the detailed requirements issued by the relevant railway authorities.