Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial activities and non-payment of commercialisation fees, sealing a total of 77 properties in different parts of the city.
The operations were carried out by the LDA Town Planning Wing on the instructions of Director General LDA Tahir Farooq in various housing schemes and areas falling under the authority’s control.
According to the LDA, enforcement teams conducted operations in Faisal Town, Samanabad, Canal Road, Poonch Road, Mustafa Town and Azam Garden against properties being used for unauthorised commercial purposes or whose owners had failed to pay the required commercialisation fees.
Officials said that 15 properties were sealed in Faisal Town over illegal commercial use. Another 49 properties were sealed in Samanabad, along Canal Road and Poonch Road for unauthorised commercial activity and non-payment of commercial fees.
During a separate recovery operation, LDA teams sealed 13 additional properties in Mustafa Town and Azam Garden.
The sealed properties included private schools, bakeries, beauty salons, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, pharmacies, grocery stores, real estate offices, clinics, automobile workshops, shops and various commercial offices. The action was taken over violations of applicable regulations and failure to clear outstanding dues.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asaduz Zaman, while the relevant town planning teams carried out enforcement actions at different locations.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings, regulatory violations and commercial fee defaulters would continue across the city.
He directed the concerned officials to ensure strict enforcement of urban planning regulations in order to discourage unauthorised commercial activity and improve civic order in Lahore.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Rising residential rents across Lahore have sparked a fresh landlord versus tenant debate on social media, with users sharing concerns about rent increases, security deposits, advance payments and annual revisions.
In various online community groups and property forums, tenants have complained that some landlords demand higher rent before the expiry of an existing tenancy agreement. Others have raised concerns about delays in the return of security deposits and deductions made for maintenance, repainting or minor damage when a property is vacated.
Landlords, however, argue that increasing property taxes, construction costs, maintenance expenses and repair charges have made rent revisions unavoidable. Some property owners also claim that delayed payments and damage caused by tenants often result in substantial financial losses.
According to an available market report, the average monthly rent for a house is estimated at approximately PKR 281,000 in DHA Lahore, PKR 224,000 in Johar Town and PKR 165,000 in Bahria Town. Actual rental prices may vary depending on the property’s size, location, condition, number of bedrooms and available facilities.
Social media users say salaries have not increased at the same pace as housing costs, making it increasingly difficult for middle income households to continue living in well developed neighbourhoods.
Many participants in the online discussion have called for clearer tenancy agreements, advance disclosure of annual rent increases and a transparent mechanism for returning security deposits. They also stressed that both landlords and tenants should document the condition of a property and agree on maintenance responsibilities before possession is handed over.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Bilal Yaseen has described high-rise construction and vertical urban development as essential for meeting Pakistan’s growing housing needs.
He said the availability of land in major cities was shrinking rapidly, making planned vertical expansion necessary to accommodate increasing populations and use existing infrastructure more efficiently.
The minister expressed these views during a live podcast session at the Real Estate CEOs Conference organised by Alif Holdings. According to the organisers, it was the first conference of its kind in Pakistan to feature a serving provincial housing minister in a direct discussion with senior real estate executives.
The event brought together policymakers, leading property developers, investors, business leaders and media representatives to discuss the future of Pakistan’s housing and real estate sectors.
The interactive session was moderated by senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan. Television anchors Waseem Badami and Shahzeb Iqbal also attended the conference, along with senior executives and representatives from the real estate industry.
Discussions focused on housing policy, urban planning, regulatory reforms, the investment environment, vertical development and cooperation between the government and private sector.
Bilal Yaseen said rapid urbanisation and growing pressure on available land had made vertical development a necessity rather than an optional approach.
He said properly planned high-rise projects could help prevent uncontrolled urban expansion, make better use of valuable land and maximise the benefits of existing roads, utilities and public infrastructure.
According to the minister, the government wants to encourage responsible projects that comply with modern construction, safety and urban planning standards while contributing to organised city development.
He also emphasised the importance of regular engagement between government institutions and private property developers.
The minister said policies developed through consultation with industry stakeholders could improve investor confidence and support sustainable growth in the real estate and housing sectors.
Alif Holdings Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Saljouk said meaningful dialogue between policymakers and industry representatives was important for the long-term development of Pakistan’s property sector.
He said real estate was a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy and its future depended on constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Ahmed Saljouk said the conference was organised to create a platform where industry leaders, government officials and media representatives could exchange ideas, identify major challenges and propose practical solutions.
He said Alif Holdings would continue to organise similar forums to encourage informed discussion and support sustainable development in Pakistan’s real estate industry.
Participants welcomed the conference and called for greater consistency in government policies, improved regulatory transparency and stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors.
They said predictable policies, simpler approval processes and modern urban planning could support the safe development of high-rise buildings, increase the supply of housing and improve the confidence of both local and international investors in Pakistan’s property market.