Punjab Province

Kot Radha Kishan: [Sadaf Arshad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan]
An important public infrastructure and land use issue related to the proposed Sahulat Bazar project in Kot Radha Kishan was raised in the Punjab Assembly, where concerns were highlighted regarding the construction of the facility on land reportedly falling under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department.
During the discussion, questions were raised about whether the land being utilized for the project is part of irrigation property and whether all required legal approvals, including a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC), have been obtained before initiating development activities.
It was also highlighted that the proposed site is located along a canal-side roadway, prompting concerns about whether construction of a public commercial facility at such a location complies with land-use regulations and departmental rules.
The matter drew the attention of the Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan, who reportedly took notice and directed that the issue be addressed through the proper parliamentary and administrative process. It was suggested that the matter be formally referred to the concerned department through an official format for review and clarification.
Key governance questions discussed included whether an Assistant Commissioner has the authority to issue approvals related to irrigation land and whether a Sahulat Bazar can legally be established on or adjacent to a roadway managed by another department.
The Assembly was informed that these questions may be referred to the Minister for Irrigation through an official Calling Attention Notice or other parliamentary mechanism for a formal response.
Local residents and traders are closely monitoring the matter, as many view the project as a potential opportunity for affordable business spaces and economic relief for small vendors and low-income families.
Officials are expected to review all legal, technical, and departmental aspects before any further progress on the project.

Kot Addu: [ReNews Pakistan]
A 90 year old widow in Kot Addu has finally regained possession of her land after a prolonged legal and familial dispute spanning 56 years, following action by the local administration to recover the property from alleged illegal occupation.
The case originates from Bait Qaim Wala in Basti Gaadi, where the widow’s one kanal and three marlas of land had allegedly remained under the possession of her close relatives, identified as Jahangir and Muhammad Rashid, for more than five decades.
According to the report, the elderly woman had consistently sought restoration of her property over the years, but repeated efforts by local elders and community members to resolve the dispute through mediation did not succeed.
The matter remained unresolved until the local administration intervened and carried out an operation to retrieve the land, ultimately restoring it to the widow’s ownership and possession.
The dispute, described as one of long duration, drew attention due to both the extended timeframe and the age of the claimant, who spent decades attempting to recover her property.
Officials have not provided detailed information regarding the specific legal or procedural steps taken during the recovery process, but confirmed that the land had been returned after being declared under unlawful occupation.
With the administrative action completed, the decades-old property dispute has now been concluded, bringing relief to the elderly widow after a prolonged legal and personal struggle.

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.