Punjab Province

Kasur: District Reporter Sadaf Arshad | ReNews Pakistan Water levels in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala in district Kasur have increased following fresh upstream water releases, prompting local and provincial authorities to intensify monitoring and precautionary arrangements in low-lying and river-adjacent areas. According to the district administration and irrigation officials, inflows at the border point have shown a noticeable rise over recent hours, leading to strengthened surveillance of embankments, canals, and protective boundries. Technical teams have been deployed to continuously observe river gauges and assess the stability of flood protection infrastructure. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irrigation Department, and district administration Kasur have placed emergency and field staff on alert to respond swiftly in case of further increases in discharge. Machinery, rescue equipment, and temporary relief arrangements are being kept ready as part of standard flood preparedness protocols. Officials stated that fluctuations in the Sutlej are often linked to upstream reservoir management and rainfall activity, which can rapidly affect downstream flow patterns. As a precaution, residents living near riverbanks and agricultural belts have been advised to remain vigilant and follow official instructions. Community awareness messages have been issued to discourage unnecessary movement near the river. From an urban and land-use perspective, authorities noted that rising water levels may pose risks to rural settlements, cultivated land, road links, and local infrastructure, particularly in floodplain zones. Departments concerned with health, livestock, and municipal services have also been asked to prepare contingency plans to ensure continuity of essential services if access routes are disrupted. No large-scale evacuation has been ordered at this stage; however, continuous assessment is underway. The situation remains under close observation, with further measures to be implemented if river discharge increases.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has formally initiated a pilot project to relocate overhead electricity distribution lines underground in Lahore as part of a broader effort to strengthen public safety, improve urban land use management, and modernise essential civic infrastructure in the provincial capital. Lahore has been selected as the first city for implementation, with the initial phase targeting central and inner-city areas where dense construction, mixed residential and commercial activity, and congested streets have long been associated with safety risks caused by exposed and unregulated overhead wiring. Officials stated that the presence of hanging cables has frequently contributed to short circuits, fire incidents, and accidental electrocutions, particularly in older neighbourhoods and high-traffic markets. Such risks tend to increase during seasonal events, including Basant, when kite strings often come into contact with live wires. The project will be executed through a phased, zone-based approach under which the city will be divided into multiple sectors to allow works to proceed systematically while maintaining continuity of electricity and communication services. Civil works will include the installation of underground ducts and trench systems, relocation of transmission and distribution lines below ground level, and the gradual removal of redundant poles and overhead infrastructure. Authorities have indicated that special measures will be taken to minimise disruption to businesses, residents, and other utility services during the transition period. A steering committee comprising representatives of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), provincial ministers, and officials from housing, planning, and local government departments has been constituted to supervise implementation and ensure inter-agency coordination. The committee will oversee right-of-way management, road restoration, and integration of the new system with existing urban services in accordance with municipal and planning regulations. Urban management and property experts consider the initiative an important step toward improving compliance with zoning and building standards. Overhead wiring has historically complicated road expansion, construction activity, and streetscape development, while also obstructing emergency access and routine maintenance. The relocation of utilities underground is expected to create a more organised urban environment, reduce visual clutter, and allow more efficient utilisation of land and public space. In addition, the provincial government has taken an in-principle decision to require underground electricity supply systems in all new housing schemes and future developments across Punjab. This requirement is expected to be incorporated into planning approvals and building by-laws to ensure that modern safety standards are integrated at the design stage of upcoming residential and commercial projects. Officials maintain that underground distribution networks offer greater operational reliability and resilience against weather-related damage and accidental contact, while also enhancing the overall appearance and functionality of urban areas. The performance of the Lahore pilot will be assessed before similar measures are extended to other major cities of the province as part of a wider infrastructure modernisation programme.

Lahore: ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has confirmed that the Basant Festival 2026 will be held in Lahore only from 6–8 February under strict regulatory controls after nearly two decades of suspension, with kite flying prohibited elsewhere in the province under the new Kite Flying Regulations Bill, 2025. Free public transport will be provided across the city for the three days, with 500 public buses operating free of charge, and metro services including the Orange Line, Green Line, Metro Bus, and electric buses also running free, enabling around 500,000 free trips over the festival period to discourage motorcycle use and reduce road risks. Authorities will also deploy approximately 5,000 free rickshaws across Lahore to support safe mobility. Lahore has been divided into Red, Yellow, and Green zones for safety and traffic management, and motorcycles without safety rods (antennas) will not be allowed in Red Zones. Over 1 million free safety rods will be distributed and installed at more than 100 road safety camps city‑wide to protect riders from sharp kite strings. In addition, more than 2,150 manufacturers and traders have been registered under the government’s regulatory system, and authorities have already filed over 600 cases, arrested hundreds of individuals, and seized tens of thousands of illegal kites ahead of the festival, while more than 10,000 surety bonds have been secured to ensure compliance. Only cotton kite string with a maximum of nine strands is permitted, and all kite material must be registered with QR codes to allow traceability. Metallic, plastic, or chemically coated strings and charkhis (spinning reels) are banned. Penalties for violations of kite and string regulations include 5 to 7 years imprisonment and heavy fines, with unauthorized kite flying outside the designated dates attracting fines of up to Rs 2 million. Lahore’s Safe City cameras, drones, and two 24/7 control rooms at Safe City headquarters and the Commissioner’s Office will monitor the event, supported by an estimated 4,000 police personnel and emergency services including ambulances, fire brigades, and clinics on wheels. Additional local measures include the implementation of Section 144, restricting kite flying by under‑18s during the three days to enhance public safety.