Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A plan has been initiated to further improve, restore and beautify 6,500 acres of green areas across 20 districts of Punjab following the direction of the Chief Minister Punjab. The initiative will focus on better maintenance and management of existing green spaces across the province.
The 20 horticulture agencies operating in the province collectively manage thousands of acres of green areas. Efforts are now being made to improve the upkeep and overall appearance of these spaces through better management and modern horticulture practices.
Under the initiative, attention will also be given to improving the quality and management of nurseries operated by the horticulture agencies. Better nursery standards are expected to support the availability of quality plants and strengthen the province’s broader landscaping and beautification efforts.
Authorities are also considering the introduction of modern machinery and technology in place of traditional methods used for horticulture and beautification activities. The use of modern equipment could improve the speed, efficiency and quality of maintenance work.
The horticulture agencies also have significant potential to increase their revenue through improved management of their available resources. As part of the proposed reforms, the revenue collection process is being considered for digitisation to make collections more transparent, efficient and easier to monitor.
Improved management of the 6,500 acres of green areas is expected to contribute to better urban environments, increased greenery and more attractive public spaces across the participating districts.
Officials are also focusing on greater use of technology and digital systems in horticulture management. Such measures could reduce reliance on manual processes, improve operational efficiency and strengthen monitoring of activities carried out by the relevant agencies.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance urban beautification, improve public green spaces and strengthen horticulture management across Punjab through modern and more efficient systems.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched a province wide enforcement operation against environmental violations, directing authorities to intensify monitoring and take strict action against individuals, businesses and vehicles found violating environmental regulations.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, where officials reviewed ongoing enforcement measures under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “Clean Lahore, Healthy Punjab” programme.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that enforcement agencies had already taken action against a number of environmental violations across the province. Notices were issued to 18 units, while four units were sealed over violations of environmental regulations.
Authorities also intensified action against construction-related violations, sealing six sites for failing to comply with applicable environmental requirements. Enforcement measures were further extended to polythene use, with 36 locations sealed for violations linked to the use of prohibited plastic materials.
The operation also targeted vehicles contributing to air pollution. Officials reported that 10 smoke-emitting vehicles were impounded, while 24 challans were issued against violators. A further 24 vehicles were sealed as part of the enforcement drive against excessive smoke emissions and environmental violations.
The provincial government has now decided to broaden the operation to other parts of Punjab and strengthen field monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental laws. Officials have been directed to maintain closer surveillance of industrial, commercial, construction and transport-related activities that could contribute to air pollution and other environmental hazards.
The decision assumes added importance ahead of the crop-harvesting season, when increased agricultural activity can contribute to deteriorating air quality if environmental regulations are not properly enforced.
The government is also expected to intensify inspections and enforcement as part of its efforts to control pollution and improve environmental conditions across major urban and rural areas of Punjab.
The latest measures reflect the provincial administration’s broader effort to move beyond Lahore and establish stronger province-wide mechanisms for identifying environmental violations, issuing notices, sealing non-compliant sites and taking legal action against persistent offenders.
Officials said the expanded operation would focus on ensuring effective implementation of environmental regulations while supporting the objectives of the “Clean Lahore, Healthy Punjab” programme.
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Sahiwal | ReNews Pakistan
The district administration has demolished 12 illegal housing societies, along with concrete structures constructed within their premises, as part of a two-week enforcement operation against unauthorised housing developments in the Sahiwal region.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) force, local police and revenue department officials on the directives of Deputy Commissioner and District Council Administrator Asif Raza.
According to officials, the housing schemes fall within the jurisdiction of the District Council, Pakpattan, and had been declared illegal through separate notifications and subsequent reminders issued by the deputy commissioner. The schemes reportedly failed to fulfil mandatory legal and regulatory requirements, with most of them lacking approval of their layout plans from the Zila Council.
The administration launched the demolition drive after negotiations and other efforts to persuade the owners to comply with legal requirements failed to produce results. Heavy machinery was used to remove concrete structures and other unauthorised constructions established within the housing schemes.
The operation was led by Enforcement Inspector Muhammad Zeeshan, with officials from the police and revenue departments providing support during the clearance activities.
Speaking to Dawn by telephone, DC Asif Raza said the administration would adopt a strict approach towards unauthorised development and warned that no individual would be exempt from enforcement action.
The administration has also registered criminal cases against the owners of four illegal housing schemes under relevant provisions of the Local Government Ordinance 2025 and Local Government Ordinance 2022.
The cases were registered at Saddar, Rang Shah, Qabola and City police stations in Arifwala. Officials said that although cases had been registered, none of the owners had been arrested because they had obtained pre-arrest bail from local tehsil and district courts.
The latest operation highlights growing administrative efforts to prevent the development and sale of housing schemes without mandatory approvals. Authorities have maintained that housing projects operating without approved layout plans and other required permissions can expose buyers to legal, ownership and infrastructure-related risks.
The district administration has indicated that enforcement action will continue against housing schemes found operating in violation of applicable laws and planning regulations.