Lahore Division

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Acting on the directions of Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing carried out a major operation against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters across different parts of Lahore, sealing a total of 103 properties.
According to the LDA, the enforcement actions were conducted in Gulberg, New Garden Town, China Scheme, Shadman, Poonch Road, New Muslim Town and Allama Iqbal Town. The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner One Asad uz Zaman.
Officials said 29 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town over unauthorized commercial use. Another 59 properties were sealed in China Scheme, Shadman, Poonch Road and New Muslim Town for illegal commercial activity and nonpayment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation in Allama Iqbal Town, LDA teams sealed 15 additional properties.
The sealed premises included private schools, colleges, academies, halls, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, grocery stores, clinics, hardware and electrical stores, pharmacies, shops, car showrooms, offices and other commercial establishments.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against unauthorized commercial use, unapproved business activities and commercial fee defaulters would continue. He added that strict enforcement of building and commercial regulations would be ensured across the city.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has clarified an important legal principle governing landlord and tenant disputes, ruling that a person who enters a property as a tenant remains a tenant until lawful possession of the premises is returned to the owner. The court held that a tenant cannot continue occupying a property by relying on the ownership claim of a third party unless that claim is legally established through credible evidence.
The ruling came in a case involving shop tenant Nahal Din, whose eviction had previously been ordered by the lower courts. The High Court upheld the eviction order and also dismissed an ownership objection petition filed by Bilqis Begum, who had claimed ownership rights over the disputed property.
Justice Muzammal Akhtar Shabbir, in a detailed written judgment, observed that Bilqis Begum had failed to produce sufficient documentary or legal evidence to substantiate her ownership claim. The court concluded that the objections raised did not establish any lawful basis to interfere with the eviction proceedings.
The judgment further noted that the disputed shop had already been excluded from an earlier eviction order, and the subsequent petition appeared to have been filed primarily to shield the tenant from eviction rather than to protect any legitimate ownership rights.
After reviewing the record, the High Court found no legal, procedural or jurisdictional defects in the decisions of the subordinate courts. It ruled that the lower courts had acted within the framework of the law and that there were no grounds to overturn their findings.
Consequently, the Lahore High Court dismissed the appeal and allowed the eviction order against tenant Nahal Din to remain in force.
Legal experts say the judgment reinforces the principle that tenancy rights continue only within the framework of the landlord-tenant relationship and cannot be converted into ownership or indefinite possession through unsupported third-party claims. The decision is expected to serve as an important judicial reference in future tenancy and property disputes across Pakistan.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain | ReNews Pakistan
The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has secured financial relief amounting to Rs 64.1 million for citizens by taking effective action on complaints lodged against the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
According to a spokesman for the Ombudsman Punjab, the office received 38 complaints of various nature against WASA authorities. Following thorough investigations, orders were issued in accordance with the law, leading to the resolution of the grievances.
The complaints primarily related to the correction of water bills, installation and restoration of water connections, and installation of water meters. The spokesman said the Ombudsman Punjab's timely intervention and effective directives ensured Rs 64.1 million Rs 64.1 million to citizens.
The complainants expressed their gratitude to the Ombudsman Punjab for the prompt redressal of their grievances, transparent handling of their cases, and the provision of effective administrative justice. They also reaffirmed their confidence in the institution for safeguarding citizens' rights through swift and impartial complaint resolution.