Punjab Province

Faisalabad : ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Housing Secretary Noor ul Amin Mengal visited various development sites in Faisalabad and reviewed the progress of projects being executed under the Chief Minister Punjab Development Package and the Punjab Development Programme (PDP). During the visit, he inspected the progress of ongoing schemes, construction activities and safety arrangements for workers and citizens.
Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad Noman Siddique accompanied the Housing Secretary, while Managing Director WASA Saqib Haral briefed him on the progress of ongoing development projects.
The briefing revealed that 70 percent of the development work being carried out in Faisalabad under the Chief Minister Punjab Development Package has been completed, while 24 percent of projects under the Punjab Development Programme have also been completed.
The Housing Secretary visited key projects in the city, including the Gulistan Underground Mega Water Storage Tank and the Samanabad College Road Pipeline Scheme. He received updates from relevant officials on the current status of the projects, construction progress and the next stages of implementation.
Noor-ul-Amin Mengal stressed the importance of completing development projects on schedule and directed the concerned departments to ensure both quality and speed in construction work so that citizens can benefit from the completed schemes at the earliest.
He also emphasized the safety of workers and citizens at development sites, making it clear that a zero-tolerance policy would be followed regarding safety measures. He directed officials to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols during construction activities to prevent accidents and protect the public.
The Housing Secretary further instructed the relevant authorities to strengthen monitoring of development projects and ensure that construction quality is not compromised in the drive to accelerate work.
He said timely completion of the ongoing schemes is essential for improving civic facilities and addressing Faisalabad’s infrastructure needs. Officials also briefed the Housing Secretary on the future course of action and completion timelines for various development projects.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has proposed a Rs 4.23 billion residential project in Lahore to provide housing for government officials, featuring 24 two bedroom apartments along with a range of high-end recreational and administrative facilities.
The project has been included in the province's Annual Development Programme for the fiscal year 2026-27 and is planned on 60 kanals and one marla of government owned land along Burki Road in Lahore Cantonment.
According to official project documents, the Services and General Administration Department has proposed the construction of 24 two bedroom apartments for government officials.
The main residential building will comprise a basement, ground floor and six additional floors. The estimated construction cost of the building stands at more than Rs 2.05 billion.
The proposed complex will include several high end facilities, including a VIP gym, library, indoor games area, seminar room, VIP executive lounge and café.
A separate convention hall measuring approximately 40,246 square feet is also part of the project. The estimated cost of the convention hall has been put at Rs 547.2 million.
The scheme also includes extensive parking facilities, with space planned for 164 cars and 47 motorcycles. In addition, a separate basement parking facility has been proposed for 26 vehicles.
Several other components account for a significant portion of the project's estimated cost. These include more than Rs 145.1 million for generators, over Rs 55.4 million for a solar power system and approximately Rs 335.8 million for external development works.
The project also allocates more than Rs 152.1 million for furniture, while Rs 10 million has been proposed for gym equipment.
However, the proposed cost and specifications have come under scrutiny from the Planning and Development Department's technical wing.
Officials have raised concerns over the overall financial size of the project and questioned the need for imported construction materials and several expensive facilities.
The technical wing has called for a detailed review of projected expenditures on elevators, heating and cooling systems, generators, solar installations, backup power arrangements and other costly components.
The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) also reviewed the scheme and considered the estimated cost of more than Rs 4.23 billion to be excessive.
Officials raised particular concerns about the proposed basement parking facility for 26 vehicles, arguing that it could result in an expensive and inefficient use of available resources.
The department has consequently been directed to examine the possibility of replacing the basement parking with surface parking. Officials noted that adequate space is reportedly available at the proposed site for such an arrangement.
Despite the concerns over cost and design, the proposed residential complex is expected to be completed within 24 months once approved and formally launched.
The project remains subject to further review of its design, cost estimates and individual components before final approval and implementation.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Lake City Lahore has launched a free internal community train service for residents, students and employees, introducing a modern facility that is being described as a first of its kind in a private housing scheme in Pakistan.
Under the new service, two trackless trains are operating daily from 9 AM to 9 PM, connecting different important locations within the housing development.
The community train service provides transportation facilities between key points including the Raiwind Road Gate, Ring Road Gate, Lake City Mall, Grand Mosque and the central roundabout.
The initiative aims to improve internal mobility within the large residential development and reduce dependence on private vehicles for short distance travel.
According to Lake City Lahore, security arrangements and surveillance cameras have been installed in the trains to ensure a safe travel environment for passengers.
The community transport service has been introduced to improve connectivity between residential, commercial, educational and recreational areas within the development.
Lake City Lahore is a modern mixed use development featuring residential and commercial areas, a mall, educational facilities, parks and a golf course.