Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the progress of the province’s 2025 26 plantation campaign, saying barren land is being transformed into green forests and the plantation of more than 50 million trees marks the beginning of a green revolution.
In a message posted on X, the Chief Minister said Punjab would increasingly be recognised as a province of forests, clean air and rivers. She described the two-year plantation campaign as a major environmental achievement in the province’s history.
According to figures shared by the Chief Minister, more than 50 million trees have been planted across over 54,000 acres of land throughout Punjab. A total of 3,085 rows of trees have also been developed in different parts of the province.
She said thousands of acres of barren land were converted into green landscapes between October 2024 and June 2025. Plantation and forest restoration activities were carried out across a wide geographical area, extending from Bahawalpur to Dera Ghazi Khan, Murree to Muzaffargarh, Chichawatni to Faisalabad and Rahim Yar Khan to Gujranwala.
According to the provincial government’s data, more than 1.8 million trees were planted across 1,500 acres at Ghazi Ghat in Muzaffargarh, while 559,000 trees were planted over 2,091 acres in Thal Maksi.
More than 700,000 trees were planted across 1,470 acres in the Khanani area of Muzaffargarh, while approximately 250,000 trees were planted on 200 acres at Phakowal in Gujrat.
The Chief Minister said the forest restoration programme was being expanded to Lal Sohanra, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Murree and other areas. Additional barren land is expected to be converted into forested landscapes under the next phase of the campaign.
She described plantation as a gift for future generations and said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to developing a greener, healthier and environmentally sustainable Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz said advanced technology was being used to protect provincial forests against illegal tree cutting, encroachments and fires. Forests and plantation sites are being monitored through the Punjab Forest Department’s Geographic Information System laboratory.
Artificial intelligence enabled drones and satellite imagery are also being used at a command and control centre to monitor forest areas and identify potential threats.
The digital monitoring system uses satellite technologies including Landsat, Sentinel, SPOT and WorldView. According to the Chief Minister, these systems enable the authorities to promptly detect illegal logging, forest land encroachments and incidents of fire.
She said forests were a national asset and their protection was essential to securing Punjab’s green future. The Chief Minister also urged citizens to plant trees and participate in the campaign to leave a healthier and greener province for future generations.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has set August 14, 2026, as the latest target for the inauguration of the long delayed Rawalpindi Ring Road project, marking the sixth completion deadline announced since construction resumed. While authorities remain optimistic about opening the strategic road corridor on Pakistan's Independence Day, a fresh legal dispute over a service area no objection certificate (NOC) has cast uncertainty over the proposed timeline.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road is considered one of Punjab's most significant transport infrastructure projects, designed to ease traffic congestion in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, improve regional connectivity and facilitate smoother movement between the motorway network and surrounding urban areas.
The project has experienced repeated delays over the past several years. During the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, construction was suspended after allegations emerged regarding changes to the project's alignment and design. The controversy resulted in investigations and the removal of several senior government officials, further delaying implementation.
Following the resumption of construction, the government announced a series of revised completion dates. Earlier targets of December 30, 2025, March 30, 2026, May 30, 2026, June 15, 2026, and June 22, 2026 were all missed due to construction and administrative challenges.
Officials have confirmed that the main carriageway extending from Banth Interchange to the motorway link has now been substantially completed. However, supporting infrastructure is still under development, including the construction of eight toll plazas and 16 toll booths, which remain essential before the motorway can become fully operational.
The latest challenge relates to a disputed No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for the development of a 102 kanal and 14 marla service area on both sides of the Ring Road. The matter has entered legal proceedings after a division bench of the Lahore High Court suspended an earlier order that had validated the NOC.
The court has fixed July 16 as the next hearing date, and its decision could have a significant impact on the project's inauguration schedule. Depending on the outcome of the proceedings, authorities may either proceed with the planned August 14 opening or face another delay in completing one of Punjab's most anticipated road infrastructure projects.
Once operational, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to reduce urban traffic congestion, improve freight movement, support new commercial and residential developments along its corridor and strengthen transport links between Rawalpindi, Islamabad and the national motorway network.