Punjab Province

Murree | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Local Government Department has decided to further strengthen its monitoring system for development projects across the province, with a renewed focus on transparency, timely completion and quality standards.
The decision was announced by Local Government Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmed during his visit to Murree, where he reviewed various ongoing development schemes and inspected the progress of work at different sites.
According to officials, the monitoring mechanism will cover every stage of development projects, from initiation to completion. Contractors will be required to strictly follow approved timelines, technical specifications and quality standards. Any unnecessary delay or compromise on construction quality will not be tolerated.
During the visit, Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmed chaired a review meeting on development projects being carried out in Murree. The deputy commissioner of Murree briefed him in detail about the current status, funding position and expected completion dates of different schemes.
The projects reviewed during the meeting included road repair work, improvement of tourist sites, sanitation system upgrades and urban facilities aimed at improving civic services for local residents as well as visitors.
Senior administrative officials from district and tehsil levels attended the meeting, including additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners of Murree and Kotli Sattian, and the chief officer of Murree Municipal Corporation.
After the meeting, Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmed visited different project sites, including Khani Taak and Kashmir Point, where he inspected the pace and quality of ongoing work.
He directed the relevant departments to ensure that all development projects are completed within the given timeframe so that residents and tourists can benefit from improved facilities without delay.
The secretary appreciated the efforts of the Murree administration and said the Punjab Government is committed to improving infrastructure, public services and tourist facilities in Murree. He added that effective monitoring will help ensure that public funds are used properly and that development projects deliver real benefits to the people.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to introduce major reforms in the land use system in order to place urban development on modern lines and make the use of land more effective. For this purpose, preparations have begun for key amendments to the Punjab Land Use Plan Rules 2020.
According to sources, the proposed amendments are aimed at making the existing land use system more transparent, organized and aligned with modern urban planning requirements. The government wants to reduce unnecessary hurdles in land classification, reclassification, redevelopment and development projects so that urban growth can move forward in a more organized manner.
Officials said the responsibility for implementing these reforms has been assigned to the Secretary of the Local Government and Community Development Department Punjab. The relevant department will finalize the new rules and take the necessary administrative steps to ensure their implementation.
Under the proposed reforms, the system of land classification and reclassification will be made clearer and more practical. The purpose of this move is to promote transparency in changes to land use, approvals for residential and commercial projects, and the redevelopment process. According to the government, complexities in the current system sometimes affect the pace of investment and development projects, making improvement in the rules an important need of the time.
Government sources said the implementation of the new rules would help control unplanned construction, uncontrolled urbanization and disorderly urban expansion. Special attention will also be given to improving urban infrastructure, town planning and urban management systems.
Officials said that after the reforms, a clear, simple and transparent procedure would be introduced for development projects and investment. This is expected to promote sustainable development in urban areas while also improving legal and administrative transparency in residential and commercial projects.
Experts believe that if these amendments are implemented effectively, they will discourage illegal and unplanned construction in Punjab’s cities, improve urban order and provide a more structured foundation for future development under modern urban planning principles.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
DHA Lahore and Formanites Housing Society have finalized an agreement for the construction of a road and provision of access to connect Phase 9 Prism with Phase 5 M Extension. The development is being described as an important milestone for DHA Lahore’s development framework and the Phase 9 Prism property market.
According to sources, the plan to link Phase 9 Prism with Phase 5 M Extension had been delayed for a long time. However, efforts by the current senior management team of DHA Lahore have led to consensus on this important step. Under the agreement, access will be provided and the road will be constructed, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity to Phase 9 Prism.
Real estate circles say the decision has come at a time when DHA Lahore’s market is showing relatively stronger conditions, while buying and selling activity in Phase 9 Prism in particular remains active. Experts believe that direct connectivity between Phase 9 Prism and Phase 5 could have positive implications for investors, buyers and residential planning.
Market sources say improved access is a key factor in increasing the value of any residential or commercial phase. The proposed road linking Phase 9 Prism with Phase 5 M Extension is expected not only to ease movement but also to further enhance the area’s commercial importance.
Real estate experts say investors should focus on fundamental market indicators, development progress and improving access systems rather than unverified or negative reports. They believe the market appears stable, while possible positive measures for the real estate sector in the upcoming budget may further strengthen business confidence.