Punjab Province

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Work on the Rawalpindi Ring Road project has entered its final phase, with around 85 percent of construction completed, while the PC1 for the Thallian Interchange has also been approved at an estimated cost of PKR 4.8 billion.
According to project details, the total cost of the Rawalpindi Ring Road, including the Thallian Interchange component, has reached PKR 51.4 billion. Officials said the 38.6-kilometre corridor is being developed as a major infrastructure project aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing traffic pressure within Rawalpindi city, and providing a faster link between key routes around the district.
The project includes important interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan Road, Adiala, and Chakri, where construction work has also reached an advanced stage. Officials associated with the project said that work on the main route and its interchanges is progressing steadily, while around 15 percent of the remaining work is still pending.
The Ring Road is expected to be opened for traffic by mid-June. However, officials confirmed that the road will initially become operational without the Thallian Interchange, which will be completed and opened separately in a later phase.
The Thallian Interchange, along with a two lane motorway link road beyond it, will be developed by the National Highway Authority. The interchange is considered an important component of the overall project as it will provide improved access to the motorway network and strengthen the road’s role as a regional transport corridor.
Sources in the Rawalpindi Development Authority, which is executing the main Ring Road project, said funds required for land acquisition for the Thallian Interchange are already available within the overall project cost. They added that construction activity on the main corridor is being monitored closely to ensure timely completion.
Once completed, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to play a significant role in easing urban congestion, improving goods movement, and supporting future commercial and residential development along the route.

Lahore, Baku | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion during the World Urban Forum held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where the Punjab government’s affordable urban housing project, ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’, received significant international recognition.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif made a detailed visit to the Punjab Pavilion set up at the Urban Expo and inspected various stalls. On the occasion, DG PHATA Zeeshan Sikandar briefed the Chief Minister on the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme and shared details regarding the project’s progress, dashboard, construction phases and beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed pleasure over seeing the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme secure a prominent position in World Innovation. She also took a live virtual tour of the programme through AI gadgets, watched a construction documentary story and reviewed the project dashboard.
At the Punjab Pavilion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif briefed foreign participants, global delegations and media representatives on the success of Punjab’s affordable urban housing project. She said the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme was very close to her heart, as it was providing loans to the people of Punjab without discrimination to help them build their own homes.
According to the Chief Minister, 600 to 700 houses are being constructed daily under the project, while more than 100,000 homes have been completed in just one year. She said the programme is a practical step towards providing dignified housing to low income and middle class citizens.
A documentary film on the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme was also screened at the Punjab Pavilion, highlighting the happiness and satisfaction of citizens who benefited from the project. Foreign guests and international media appreciated the documentary and paid tribute to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for her public welfare initiatives.
International media, global delegations and representatives from various countries participated actively in the opening ceremony. Participants praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, the Punjab government’s housing initiatives and the rapid progress of the project.
At the World Urban Forum, the Punjab Pavilion remained a major centre of attention for delegates from around the world, while international media described the record pace of the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme as a role model for developing countries.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed all concerned departments to ensure comprehensive arrangements at cattle markets being established across the district for Eid ul Azha, with a special focus on public convenience, animal health, cleanliness, security and traffic flow.
He issued these directions while chairing an important meeting on Tuesday to review preparations for Eid cattle markets. The meeting was attended by all assistant commissioners, officers of relevant departments and representatives of administrative institutions.
During the meeting, officials reviewed arrangements for essential facilities at cattle markets, including parking areas, lighting, clean drinking water, waste management, medical assistance and smooth movement of traffic. The deputy commissioner directed the departments concerned to complete all necessary preparations in advance so that citizens do not face inconvenience while purchasing sacrificial animals.
The meeting also decided that special counters of the Livestock Department would be established at cattle markets to provide facilities related to animal health, vaccination, disease diagnosis and immediate medical assistance. Veterinary teams will remain present at the markets to examine animals and provide timely treatment where required.
Officials were further instructed to ensure regular spray and disinfection at cattle markets to prevent the spread of diseases among animals and maintain a clean and healthy environment. The administration will also set up information desks to guide citizens and provide them with necessary assistance.
Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that effective cleanliness, security and medical arrangements must be ensured at all cattle markets. He added that, in line with the directions of the Punjab government, all possible facilities would be provided to the public during Eid-ul-Azha.
The deputy commissioner said the district administration would continuously monitor the arrangements at cattle markets to ensure smooth operations and resolve public complaints without delay.