Punjab Province

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has decided to construct markets and commercial plazas on vacant plots and open spaces located within its housing schemes across Rawalpindi.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Abdul Aamer Khattak. Senior officials of the authority, including Additional Director General Masood Ahmad and Chief Engineer Anwar Baran, also attended the meeting.
During the briefing, the Estate Management Directorate presented details of a new asset management initiative aimed at identifying and utilizing vacant properties and open spaces in 13 housing schemes owned by the RDA.
Officials informed the meeting that the proposed initiative is designed to protect RDA land from illegal occupation, encroachments and land grabbing. They said commercial development on unused land would not only help secure public assets but also create sustainable sources of revenue for the authority.
According to officials, the plan focuses on better use of land already available within existing housing schemes. Markets, plazas and other commercial facilities may be developed at selected sites after completion of design, planning and approval processes.
Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak directed RDA officials to take all necessary steps to convert unused land into productive and income generating assets. He said public land should be managed in a structured and transparent manner so that it can support urban development and improve service delivery.
The commissioner also instructed the RDA to extend full cooperation to the Estate Management Directorate for the implementation of the initiative. He directed the relevant departments to prepare project designs for the proposed commercial developments on a priority basis.
Officials said the initiative is expected to help the RDA improve land management, prevent encroachments and strengthen its financial position through planned commercial activity within its housing schemes.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has approved a major plan to expand parking infrastructure in Lahore and other large urban centres of the province, in a move aimed at addressing chronic parking shortages, illegal roadside parking and growing traffic congestion in commercial areas.
Under the proposed initiative, modern underground parking plazas and smart parking systems will be developed in inner Lahore, the Walled City and major business districts. Officials said the plan is part of a broader urban traffic management strategy designed to improve vehicle movement, reduce pressure on busy roads and provide organised parking facilities for citizens.
In Lahore, preparations are already under way to expand the network of underground parking plazas. According to officials, construction work is in progress on several parking facilities being managed by the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency. A new parking plaza has also been proposed near Bhati Gate, while additional sites inside the Walled City are being identified and developed in phases.
The Walled City of Lahore Authority has been assigned the task of identifying suitable land and preparing feasibility studies for the proposed parking projects. The Lahore Development Authority will oversee engineering, design and construction work after the locations are finalised.
Officials said the initiative will not remain limited to Lahore. Deputy commissioners of other major cities facing serious parking problems have also been asked to submit proposals for new parking plazas. These proposals will help the provincial government prepare a wider parking development program for urban centres across Punjab.
Sources said more than 20 parking plazas are likely to be included in the upcoming Annual Development Program. The final list of projects will be prepared after recommendations from district administrations, relevant authorities and technical institutions.
After technical review and formal approval by the LDA forum, the proposed projects are expected to be included in the next provincial budget for funding allocation.
Officials believe the plan, once implemented, could help reduce traffic bottlenecks in busy markets and improve urban mobility in Lahore and other Punjab cities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved strict action against those dumping animal remains and offal in streets, neighborhoods, prohibited places, drains, canals and other public areas during Eidul Azha. Violators will face a fine of Rs50,000.
A comprehensive plan for foolproof cleanliness arrangements during Eidul Azha was finalized during a video link meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister. The meeting decided to establish vigilance squads to prevent and monitor the dumping of animal remains and offal at prohibited locations.
The Chief Minister directed authorities to launch an extensive public awareness campaign to discourage citizens from throwing animal remains and offal at banned sites.
She also ordered special cleanliness arrangements in drains, canals, main roads, intersections, graveyards, commercial markets, railway colonies, cantonment areas and private housing societies across every city.
The meeting also ordered special cleanliness arrangements in 2,687 major commercial markets across Punjab. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said all departments must work as one government unit for cleanliness during Eidul Azha. She made it clear that good performance would be rewarded and appreciated, while complaints would lead to accountability through a system of reward and punishment.
Provincial Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Local Government Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmad briefed the meeting. They said commercial markets, main roads and intersections would be cleaned during the final hours of Chand Raat. Degradable shopping bags would be provided for the disposal of animal remains and offal, while Suthra Punjab staff would carry out door to door collection.
The briefing further stated that 15 additional loader rickshaws would be provided to each municipal corporation and tehsil, while four additional loader rickshaws would be made available in every union council. On the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, rose water spray would also be carried out at Eid prayer gatherings and mosques.
Suthra Punjab teams will remain active before Eid, on Eid day and until the third day of Eidul Azha. The teams will also make public announcements through rickshaws to create awareness about cleanliness.
Across the province, 176,000 sanitary workers and more than 8,000 temporary workers will participate in the Eid cleanliness operation.
For the collection of animal remains and offal, 3,800 primary collection centers will be established, while 3,100 dumping sites have been designated. Overall, 7,000 dumping points will be set up across the province for the disposal of animal waste.
The availability of dewatering machines, jetter sets and suction units will be ensured for cleaning drains. As part of the Suthra Punjab Eid operation, 4,500 special camps will be set up across the province, while special cleanliness arrangements will be made at 1,200 collective sacrifice sites.
More than 40,000 additional vehicles will be used across Punjab during the Eidul Azha Suthra Punjab operation. Loader rickshaws, mini dumpers, tractor trolleys and pickup vehicles will be hired for the cleanliness operation.
The meeting was informed that graveyards would also be specially cleaned before Chand Raat. Suthra Punjab teams will be deployed at 285 cattle markets and 171 sale points across Punjab to ensure cleanliness arrangements.