Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited the Urban Planning and Design Center and chaired a meeting to review matters related to town planning. The meeting discussed measures to modernize the town planning system, prevent illegal constructions, and enhance monitoring of commercial activities across the city.
Addressing the meeting, DG LDA Tahir Farooq said that the Town Planning Wing is being completely shifted to a digital system, which will help improve monitoring of illegal commercial activities, identify construction violations, and ensure timely action. He said the establishment of a Digital Center aims to bring all LDA zones under a unified system and improve public service delivery.
Tahir Farooq directed town planning officers and staff to improve their interaction with citizens and enhance the quality of services. He instructed field officers to ensure strict implementation of new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and accelerate action against unauthorized commercial activities.
He further directed officials to strengthen surveillance in their respective areas and ensure the removal of encroachments from setback areas along major commercial corridors of the city. He also emphasized speeding up the recovery campaign for penalties imposed on illegal commercial activities.
The DG LDA instructed officials to ensure the provision of drop lanes outside schools operating within LDA limits. He said that schools causing traffic disruptions during peak hours should be required to submit traffic management plans to improve traffic flow and reduce inconvenience for citizens.
He further stated that cases received through the e-Biz system must be processed within the given timelines, while the performance of Town Planning Wing officers will be evaluated on the basis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The meeting was attended by Additional DG Headquarters, Chief Town Planner-I, Chief Town Planner-II, Chief IT Officer, Director Administration, all Directors of the LDA Town Planning Wing, Director Architect, Chief Security Officer, and other relevant officials.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has amended the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Act to bring home based tuition centres, coaching centres and academies operating in residential areas under the definition of private educational institutions and the tax system.
Under the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Act 2026, tuition centres run from homes, including those operated by women and girls, along with small coaching centres and neighbourhood academies, will now be recognised as private educational institutions.
The amended law states that buildings and properties used by these institutions will fall under the property tax regime, while electricity and water connections will be treated as commercial.
Small private schools operating in residential areas will also come under the tax system, regardless of whether they are registered or unregistered.
The decision has received criticism from the All Pakistan Private Schools Colleges Association, which has called for the withdrawal of the amendment.
The association said the move could particularly affect women and girls who provide home based tuition to a limited number of students to support their household incomes.
It added that treating small scale tuition centres as commercial establishments could increase property and utility related expenses and create additional pressure on low income families.
The association has urged the Punjab government to reconsider commercial taxes and property related charges on home based tuition centres.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government is considering a new model for modern public transportation while exploring the revival of intercity railway routes to improve connectivity and provide better travel facilities across the province.
The details of Punjab’s upcoming public transport projects were shared during a special lecture delivered by Punjab Transport Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch at Pakistan Railway Academy Walton.
The lecture was arranged on the invitation of Director General Pakistan Railway Academy Muhammad Hanif Gul, where the Transport Secretary briefed under training officers about the province’s ongoing and planned transport initiatives.
During the session, Imran Sikandar Baloch highlighted several major projects, including light rail, electric buses, bus tram services, underground transport corridors, Air Punjab and the restoration of intercity railway routes.
He said the proposed transport initiatives are aimed at improving mobility, strengthening connections between cities and introducing modern travel solutions for citizens.
The provincial government is reviewing different options to develop an efficient public transport network that can meet future transportation needs and reduce pressure on existing road infrastructure.
The possible revival of intercity railway services is also being considered to provide passengers with a reliable and affordable mode of transportation between different regions.
Officials said technical and operational aspects of these projects are being examined before further decisions are made.