Punjab Province

Rawalpindi | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Marka e Haq Square, a key project of the signal-free corridor in Rawalpindi. According to the Punjab government, the project was completed in just 179 days against the scheduled target of 190 days. The completed works include five underpasses, two overhead bridges and a modern pedestrian bridge.
During the inauguration ceremony, Rawalpindi’s Kachehri Chowk was named Marka e Haq Square in connection with the historic day. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif unveiled the project milestone, followed by a prayer ceremony.
The Punjab chief minister also visited the signal-free corridor and inspected the overhead bridge and other roads. She reviewed the signal-free project from Annexy Chowk to GPO Chowk. Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath briefed the chief minister in detail on various aspects of the project.
Officials said the signal-free corridor, established in one of Rawalpindi’s busiest areas, would facilitate the movement of more than 200,000 vehicles daily. The city’s first state-of-the-art pedestrian bridge has also been constructed at Marka e Haq Square to provide a safe passage for pedestrians.
During the briefing, it was stated that two phases of the signal free corridor from Rawat to the Motorway have been completed, while the third phase will be completed soon. Overall, a 25-kilometre-long signal-free corridor will be developed from Rawat to the Motorway, comprising nine underpasses and three flyovers.
According to the Punjab government, underpasses will also be constructed at Race Course, Charing Cross and AFIC Chowk to reduce traffic pressure in Rawalpindi and provide uninterrupted travel facilities to citizens.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the signal free corridor would transform Rawalpindi’s urban culture. She said the government was working rapidly to modernise urban infrastructure and provide citizens with safer, faster and improved travel facilities.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Director General of the Lahore Development Authority, Tahir Farooq, visited the Railway Station and Misri Shah areas, where he conducted a detailed review of ongoing development and beautification works under the Urban Regeneration Project.
During the visit, the DG LDA inspected the ongoing work at the Railway Station parking area and directed the relevant authorities to complete the development work there at the earliest. He also reviewed the seating areas, greenery, and civic facilities being developed in the parking area.
Tahir Farooq also inspected the beautification of the railway wall and the ongoing beautification work beneath the flyover. On this occasion, he directed that all beautification-related works be completed within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining quality standards, so that citizens can be provided with a better, more organized, and visually improved urban environment.
The DG LDA also visited Misri Shah, where he reviewed the ongoing urban regeneration works on Kacha Rahim Road, Aziz Road, and surrounding areas. LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed and the Project Director briefed the DG LDA on the progress, design, construction of footpaths, façade upgrades, and other development matters.
During the briefing, it was stated that development works around Misri Shah are also being carried out on the pattern of the Railway Station project. These works include façade upgrades of properties, improvement of footpaths, civic facilities along roads, and the overall beautification of the area.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq said various works are being carried out around Misri Shah under the Urban Regeneration initiative. He said the objective is to improve older urban areas in line with modern requirements, create convenience for pedestrians, and give Lahore’s important locations a more organized and attractive appearance.
He directed the relevant officers and contractors to ensure quality, pace, and durability in all development works. He said improvement of civic facilities in busy areas such as the Railway Station and Misri Shah would not only ease traffic and pedestrian movement but also enhance the overall beauty of the city.
Contractors, LDA officials, and NESPAK officers were also present on the occasion.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court has ruled that all property-related cases involving overseas Pakistanis will be heard by special courts, expanding the scope of these forums beyond disputes limited to possession and ownership.
In a significant judgment, the court set aside objections previously raised by special courts over hearing such matters and clarified that their jurisdiction extends to all cases linked to the property of overseas Pakistanis.
According to the ruling, special courts are not restricted to deciding cases involving possession or title alone. The court observed that matters related to inheritance, mutation, power of attorney, and both movable and immovable property also fall within the jurisdiction of special courts established to protect the rights of overseas Pakistanis.
The court stated that the purpose of the Overseas Property Act is to safeguard the properties of overseas Pakistanis, and all cases covered under the law must be heard by the dedicated special courts.
The judgment further noted that both civil courts and special courts had wrongly interpreted the law by transferring only limited categories of overseas property disputes. This, the court said, had created unnecessary confusion and delays for litigants.
The high court observed that such cases should not become a “legal ping-pong” between civil courts and special courts because of flawed interpretation of the law. The court also ruled that if even one of the parties in a dispute is an overseas Pakistani, the case will fall within the jurisdiction of the special court.
It further clarified that cases transferred from civil courts will continue from the same stage rather than being filed afresh, ensuring that overseas Pakistanis do not have to restart legal proceedings.
The Lahore High Court also made it clear that overseas Pakistanis will not be required to refile their cases, as special courts are independent and dedicated forums meant to decide their property disputes.
The court directed all district and sessions judges to ensure implementation of the ruling and ordered the registrar to send copies of the judgment to all district and sessions judges for compliance.