Punjab Province

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited Bhatti Chowk and the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and reviewed the pace, quality and progress of ongoing development projects.
Tepa Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain briefed the LDA DG on the development activities underway at Bhatti Chowk, the underpass and other related locations. During the visit, Tahir Farooq inspected the ongoing works around Bhatti Chowk and expressed displeasure over the slow progress of finishing work.
The LDA DG directed the contractor and project director to immediately accelerate the pace of development work and ensure that all construction and finishing activities are completed according to the required standards. He made it clear that unnecessary delays in the completion of projects would not be tolerated and that no compromise would be made on the quality of work.
Tahir Farooq also reviewed the improvement of green areas around Bhatti Chowk and the construction of a protected U-turn aimed at improving traffic flow. He directed the concerned officials to ensure that the overall beautification of the area and provision of better civic facilities remain an integral part of the development work.
During the visit, the LDA DG also assessed traffic flow between Azadi Chowk and the underpass. He reviewed measures being taken to facilitate smooth traffic movement and improve mobility for citizens, directing the relevant authorities to address any shortcomings.
Tahir Farooq further reviewed facilities for pedestrians and parking arrangements along Circular Road. He directed the concerned departments to implement these measures in a coordinated manner to improve civic facilities, traffic flow and the overall environment of the area.
The LDA DG instructed officials to regularly monitor progress on finishing and other ongoing works, stressing that the pace and quality of field activities must be continuously supervised and any obstacles should be addressed without delay.
Officials from TEPA, LDA, NESPAK and trhe contractor were also present during the visit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (C&W) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth has directed the department’s field formations to complete construction and remaining development work on 82 additional roads by September 7 under the Local Road Program.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the provincial minister to review progress on the road development program across Punjab. Secretary Communications and Works Raja Jahangir Anwar, Special Secretary, Additional Secretaries and other senior officials attended the meeting, while Superintending Engineers (SEs) and Executive Engineers (XENs) participated through video link.
During the meeting, officials presented a detailed progress report covering road projects in the North, Central and South regions of the province. The minister was also briefed on work being carried out on roads that have already been completed, including the installation of signboards, lane marking and beautification measures.
According to the directives, the department has been tasked with completing 26 roads in the South region, 33 roads in the North and 23 roads in the Central region by September 7. The minister instructed the concerned Chief Engineers and field officers to ensure that the deadline is met without compromising the quality of construction and rehabilitation work.
Bharth also ordered the department to immediately fill vacant posts in its field formations, stressing that adequate staffing is essential for effective supervision, timely execution and maintenance of road projects across the province.
The minister further directed officials to conduct comprehensive inspections of the shoulders of roads constructed since 2024. Any damaged or deteriorated sections identified during these inspections must be repaired within 10 days, he ordered.
To strengthen monitoring, Bharth instructed senior officials and field teams to undertake daily visits to project sites and roads. The inspections will focus on the physical condition of roads, progress of ongoing schemes, quality of construction and completion of assigned works within the prescribed timelines.
The minister emphasized that road development should not end with the completion of construction. He directed the Communications and Works Department to continue repair and maintenance activities after the monsoon season to protect newly developed infrastructure and ensure long-term improvements in Punjab’s road network.
The directions come as the provincial government continues efforts to improve local road infrastructure, enhance connectivity between urban and rural areas and address deteriorated road sections through construction, rehabilitation and regular maintenance.
Officials were directed to maintain close coordination between headquarters and field formations and ensure that development targets are achieved according to the approved schedule.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has approved the establishment of new small industrial estates in Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Kot Pindi Das to promote industrial land development and business activity across the province. The government has also decided to accelerate work on the expansion of Sundar Industrial Estate-II in Lahore.
The decisions were taken at the 137th board meeting of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), chaired by Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain. The meeting was informed that land has already been identified for the proposed industrial estates.
From a real estate perspective, the initiative is significant as the development of new industrial estates could increase demand for industrial plots, factory units, warehouses, commercial facilities and supporting infrastructure in these cities. The Punjab Industries Department has also compiled district-level data on thousands of industrial units to support industrial planning across the province.
The board also approved the establishment of a new industrial park in Gujranwala. In addition, a Rs500 million interest-free loan scheme was approved for women investors and artisans, under which loans ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs10 million will be provided. Another Rs500 million revolving fund was approved to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). New businesses will be eligible for interest-free loans of up to Rs10 million, while existing businesses seeking expansion will be able to obtain loans of up to Rs5 million.
A key decision concerning industrial real estate was the approval of a relief package for allottees whose plots in Sundar Industrial Estate-II had been cancelled. Under the approved package, eligible allottees will receive a 20 percent relief on outstanding dues upon payment according to the prescribed terms. However, they will be required to commence factory construction within six months and bring their industrial units into production within two years.
The Punjab Small Industries Corporation’s 2026 auction programme for industrial and commercial plots includes Sundar Industrial Estate-II as well as industrial centres in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Bahawalpur and other cities. The programme reflects the government’s broader focus on putting industrial land into productive economic use.
According to the Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce, a major programme will be launched this year to upgrade infrastructure in Punjab’s 23 small industrial estates. The programme will include improvements to roads, sewerage and drainage systems. The government believes that better industrial infrastructure will help attract investment, create employment opportunities and strengthen small and medium-sized businesses.
From a real estate perspective, the impact of new industrial estates is expected to extend beyond factory plots. Industrial development can generate demand for warehouses, transport facilities, workshops, commercial centres and residential accommodation for workers and business communities. As a result, industrial and adjoining commercial and residential real estate activity could increase over time in Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and other areas where new industrial estates are planned.