Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government and Pakistan Railways have taken a major step toward modernising the province’s railway system and improving public transport by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the launch of a fast train between Lahore and Rawalpindi, along with several other projects.
The agreement was signed between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi. Under the initiative, the country’s first fast train service will be introduced between Lahore and Rawalpindi, covering approximately 280 kilometres in just 2 hours and 15 minutes. The project involves the construction of a new railway track, with an estimated cost of Rs350 billion.
Alongside this flagship project, the railway network across Punjab will be expanded and upgraded. A total of 1,415 kilometres of rail infrastructure will be developed, covering 20 regions and eight major local routes. These include Shahdara to Narowal and Sialkot, Raiwind, Kasur, Pakpattan to Lodhran, Sheikhupura, Jaranwala to Shorkot, Lalamusa to Sargodha, Faisalabad to Shaheenabad, and the inter-provincial route from Kot Addu to Kashmore.
As part of the plan, modern Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains will be deployed, along with the induction of new locomotives and upgraded passenger coaches to bring services in line with international standards.
According to Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, the project is expected to benefit approximately 90 million passengers nationwide and marks a defining milestone for Pakistan Railways. He emphasised that, under the leadership of the Punjab Chief Minister, the railway system is being upgraded to meet global benchmarks.
He further stated that the Punjab government has committed Rs45 billion for the upgradation of nine local railway routes, aimed at reducing traffic congestion on roads and helping control smog.
Infrastructure improvements under the initiative include the renovation and beautification of Lahore Railway Station, development of international-standard parking facilities, and installation of advanced automated safety systems to minimise accidents and enhance operational efficiency.
Environmental sustainability is also a key component of the project, with plans to plant over 400,000 trees along railway tracks. Additionally, a 40-kilometre green corridor from Shahdara to Raiwind is being developed to create a modern, eco-friendly railway environment.
Officials believe the project will bring a transformative change not only in Punjab but across Pakistan, offering faster, safer, and more affordable travel to the public.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has formally initiated planning for the fourth southern loop (SL4) of the Lahore Ring Road, marking a significant step forward in the expansion of the provincial capital’s transport infrastructure following the completion of SL3.
The project has been entrusted to the Communications and Works (C&W) Department in collaboration with the Lahore Ring Road Authority. Progress on the scheme was reviewed in a highlevel meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for C&W Malik Sohaib Ahmed, held after receiving approval from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Secretary C&W Raja Jahangir Anwar, Chairman Lahore Ring Road Authority Safiullah Gondal, representatives of NESPAK, and senior engineers. Participants were given a detailed briefing on the scope, alignment, and technical aspects of the proposed project.
According to initial plans, SL4 will cover approximately 18 kilometres, starting from Multan Road and extending to Nazir Labana near Sharaqpur. The project is estimated to cost more than Rs45 billion and will include several interchanges, toll plazas, a bridge over the River Ravi, and a modern service area to facilitate commuters.
Officials highlighted that land acquisition will be a key component of the project, while construction is expected to be completed within a two-year timeframe once work begins.
During the meeting, authorities directed the preparation of a comprehensive working paper covering all technical and financial aspects of the project. The Irrigation Department has also been asked to submit a detailed report regarding the feasibility and design of the proposed Ravi bridge.
To ensure efficient execution, a dedicated working team will be constituted. Officials stressed the importance of integrating SL4 with the already completed SL3 to ensure seamless traffic flow and connectivity across the ring road network.
Authorities believe the SL4 project will significantly ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and strengthen regional connectivity, particularly benefiting residents of Sharaqpur and surrounding localities. The initiative is being viewed as a crucial development in enhancing Lahore’s urban mobility and supporting future economic growth in the region.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab’s large-scale land and housing digitalization drive under the Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement (PULSE) project is making significant headway, with millions of properties and ownership records now integrated into a centralized digital platform, according to official data.
The initiative, backed by the World Bank and implemented by the provincial government, aims to modernize property governance by replacing fragmented, manual record keeping systems with a unified, technology-driven framework covering both urban and rural areas.
So far, more than 2.36 million houses have been digitally mapped using GIS-based parcel mapping, laying the foundation for a comprehensive and accurate property database. Alongside this, over 10.4 million land ownership records have been digitized or linked with the Land Records Management Information System (LRMIS), marking substantial progress in formalizing property rights across the province.
Authorities have also mapped over 2.5 million land parcels and numerous housing schemes, enabling precise identification of property boundaries through geospatial technology. This integration of cadastral maps with ownership data is expected to significantly reduce land disputes, which historically make up a large share of litigation in Pakistan.
A major milestone of the project is the creation of a digital archive comprising more than 151 million pages of land records, registries, and deeds. Citizens can now access, verify, and download property documents online, eliminating the need for frequent visits to government offices.
Officials say the digitized system is already improving efficiency in property transactions by reducing processing times, minimizing fraud, and limiting discretionary handling of records. The introduction of online registry access has also enhanced transparency and is expected to strengthen investor confidence in Punjab’s real estate sector.
Experts believe the availability of accurate, real-time land and housing data will further support urban planning, infrastructure development, and future housing schemes by providing policymakers and developers with reliable information.
With coverage expanding across more districts, the PULSE project is emerging as one of Pakistan’s most significant digital governance reforms, with the potential to fundamentally transform land administration and property management in Punjab.