Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended an earlier judicial order that allowed commercial development along the service road of the Rawalpindi Ring Road, temporarily halting a proposed project that included a petrol pump and other commercial facilities.
A division bench comprising Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Sardar Akbar passed the interim order while hearing intra court appeals filed by the Punjab government, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), and the Ring Road project administration. The appeals challenge the decision of a single bench that had previously ruled in favor of the petitioner, Mazhar Rahim.
The court admitted the appeals for regular hearing and issued notices to the Commissioner Rawalpindi, the District Petrol Pump Committee, and the petitioner, directing all respondents to submit their replies by July 16.
The legal dispute concerns a commercial development proposal covering 102 kanals and 14 marlas of land located along the Rawalpindi Ring Road. Under the earlier approval granted by the Ring Road administration, the project was planned to include a petrol filling station, a mosque, landscaped green areas, internal service roads, and other supporting infrastructure.
According to court records, the petitioner had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RDA Commissioner after completing the required approval process. Following the issuance of the NOC, the petitioner reportedly deposited Rs. 178.413 million in official fees to secure the development rights.
However, the Punjab government and the concerned development authorities challenged the single bench's decision, arguing that the approval required further judicial scrutiny due to legal and administrative concerns surrounding commercial construction along the strategically important Ring Road corridor.
By suspending the earlier judgment, the division bench has effectively placed the commercial development on hold until the appeals are decided. The final outcome of the case could have significant implications for future commercial development, land-use planning, and investment policies along the Rawalpindi Ring Road, one of Punjab's largest ongoing infrastructure projects.
The matter will now proceed after the respondents submit their replies, with the next stage of proceedings scheduled following the July 16 deadline.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Punjab government has allocated development funds for the construction of one flyover and six underpasses in Rawalpindi and Gujar Khan under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026 27, reinforcing its commitment to modernising urban transport infrastructure and easing traffic congestion in one of the province's busiest regions.
According to the provincial development budget, PKR 100 million has been allocated during the current fiscal year for the construction of the Ammar Chowk Flyover in Rawalpindi. The project forms part of the city's Mall Signal Free Corridor Project and carries an estimated total cost of PKR 3 billion. Once completed, the flyover is expected to improve traffic movement along one of Rawalpindi's most heavily travelled corridors by eliminating signal related delays and reducing travel time.
In another major allocation, the provincial government has earmarked PKR 200 million for the construction of the Race Course Underpass and the Army Graveyard Underpass, both of which are designed to improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion at key intersections within the city.
The ADP also includes PKR 93 million for the Tulsa Chowk Underpass, a project with an estimated cost of PKR 2.691 billion, while PKR 100 million has been allocated for the COD Underpass, which is expected to cost approximately PKR 3.75 billion upon completion.
Beyond Rawalpindi city, the provincial government has extended infrastructure development to Gujar Khan, where PKR 100 million has been allocated for the construction of two new underpasses at Galiana Mor and Technical College Chowk. The combined estimated cost of these two projects stands at PKR 4.531 billion, reflecting the government's broader strategy to improve regional road connectivity and accommodate increasing traffic volumes in growing urban centres.
The allocations form part of the Punjab government's wider infrastructure development agenda under the ADP 2026–27, which prioritises investment in road networks, urban mobility and transport efficiency. Officials expect the projects to improve connectivity, enhance road safety, reduce traffic bottlenecks and support long term economic activity by facilitating smoother movement of commuters and commercial transport across the Rawalpindi region.
The flyover and underpass schemes complement several other transport initiatives announced under the current development programme, underscoring the provincial government's focus on strengthening infrastructure and supporting sustainable urban growth through strategic public investment.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) has recommended expanding the existing M 2 Motorway instead of constructing a new road alignment for the second phase of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR), according to a comprehensive feasibility study submitted to the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA).
The study, prepared jointly by NESPAK and ACE Private Limited, proposes widening the motorway by adding two additional lanes on each side between the Thalian Interchange and the Srinagar Interchange. The report concludes that this option offers the most practical, economically viable and sustainable solution for accommodating future traffic growth while minimizing construction costs.
According to the feasibility report, expanding the existing motorway infrastructure would substantially increase traffic carrying capacity and improve travel efficiency without the need for a completely new alignment. The proposal is expected to facilitate smoother movement of passenger vehicles as well as heavy commercial and freight traffic, which is projected to increase significantly over the coming years.
The consultants evaluated three alternative alignments for the second phase of the Rawalpindi Ring Road before selecting the motorway expansion as the preferred option. The report notes that utilizing the existing motorway corridor would reduce land acquisition requirements, lower environmental impacts and accelerate project implementation compared to constructing a separate roadway.
The feasibility report has been submitted to the Rawalpindi Development Authority and is expected to be forwarded to the Punjab government for review and approval. Provincial authorities will determine whether the recommended alignment will be incorporated into the next phase of the region's long term transport development strategy.
The proposed Phase II is designed to extend the benefits of the under construction Rs 47 billion Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which currently terminates at the Thalian Interchange. Once implemented, the expansion is expected to provide stronger connectivity between the motorway network and G T Road, improving access for commuters, logistics operators and industrial traffic across Rawalpindi and surrounding areas.
Officials believe the project would play an important role in strengthening regional transport infrastructure, easing congestion on major routes and supporting future urban and economic growth. Improved connectivity is also expected to enhance trade logistics, reduce travel times and increase the efficiency of freight movement between northern and central Pakistan.
If approved by the Punjab government, the motorway expansion will become a key component of the broader Rawalpindi Ring Road development programme, further reinforcing the capital region's transport network and supporting long term infrastructure planning.