Punjab Province

Taxila | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched the first comprehensive long-term conservation strategy for the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Taxila, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s cultural heritage preservation efforts. The initiative replaces decades of fragmented restoration work with an integrated conservation and management programme designed to safeguard one of South Asia’s most significant archaeological landscapes while ensuring its sustainable preservation for future generations.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the new strategy represents a fundamental shift from isolated conservation projects to a coordinated heritage management framework covering the entire Taxila World Heritage Property. The programme seeks to preserve the site's authenticity, integrity and Outstanding Universal Value through a multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeological research, structural conservation, environmental management, visitor services and institutional strengthening.
For decades, the World Heritage Property has faced a range of conservation challenges, including natural weathering, moisture damage, soil erosion, uncontrolled vegetation growth and increasing environmental pressures. Earlier restoration campaigns were often carried out independently without a unified management framework. In several cases, the use of reinforced concrete and cement during previous repair works caused further deterioration by damaging the original historic fabric of the monuments.
To overcome these long-standing issues, the Punjab government commissioned The Urban Unit to prepare Taxila’s first comprehensive master plan. Based on that framework, the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) developed a detailed implementation programme incorporating international conservation standards and best practices.
The strategy integrates archaeological investigations, structural conservation, environmental protection, museum development, visitor infrastructure, digital documentation, accessibility improvements and institutional capacity building into a single long-term management framework. Officials believe this holistic approach will ensure both the protection of the archaeological remains and the enhancement of visitor experience.
The first phase of the conservation programme was implemented at Mohra Moradu, one of the finest Buddhist monastic complexes of the ancient Gandhara civilisation. Restoration teams removed reinforced concrete structures that had previously been installed over the Main Votive Stupa and replaced them with a lightweight protective shelter designed in accordance with internationally recognised conservation principles.
The project also introduced improved accessibility by constructing a carefully designed earthen ramp for persons with disabilities without disturbing the site's original stone staircase. Archaeological excavations carried out during the restoration uncovered the monastery’s original drainage system and led to the rediscovery of a historic sacred water well, contributing both to improved site preservation and a deeper understanding of the monument's historical layout.
At the ancient city of Sirkap, conservation experts removed dense vegetation and accumulated debris that had concealed important archaeological remains and accelerated structural deterioration. Conservation work focused on stabilising vulnerable masonry using compatible materials and minimum-intervention techniques, avoiding speculative reconstruction while preserving the site's authenticity.
For the first time, conservation activities across the World Heritage Property have been supported by extensive scientific documentation. The programme includes archival research, archaeological investigations, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, three-dimensional laser scanning, structural condition assessments, Heritage Impact Assessments and material compatibility studies. These technical surveys establish a comprehensive baseline for future monitoring, maintenance and conservation planning.
A key outcome of the initiative is the preparation of Taxila’s first-ever Conservation Management Plan, which sets out long-term policies for conservation, routine maintenance, visitor management, disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring and institutional coordination. The strategy also strengthens legal and spatial protection through the establishment of buffer zones around the World Heritage Property's component sites.
In addition, the government has developed proposals to modernise visitor facilities, improve interpretation centres, enhance museum displays and strengthen site presentation to better communicate Taxila’s historical, archaeological and cultural significance to both domestic and international visitors.
Officials believe the integrated conservation strategy will not only preserve one of Pakistan’s most valuable archaeological treasures but also establish a sustainable model for the long-term management of World Heritage sites across the country.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has granted in principle approval for the establishment of a modern Green Industrial Economic Zone in the province and announced a special incentive package for local and foreign investors. She also directed the relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the project’s swift implementation.
The development came during a meeting between the chief minister and a delegation of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza briefed her on various aspects of the proposed Green Industrial Economic Zone. The delegation proposed setting up a world class green economic zone in Punjab through a partnership between the OPF and Green Energy Group.
The project is aimed at promoting clean energy, accelerating industrial development, increasing exports and creating new employment opportunities. According to the briefing, the proposed zone will feature modern clean energy infrastructure based on solar, wind, hydropower and ground source energy, along with battery storage and backup energy systems.
Officials said the project would provide industries with sustainable and environmentally friendly energy. The Green Economic Zone is expected to create more than 18,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate over Rs5.6 billion in annual revenue.
The briefing also claimed that exports of environmentally friendly products would make a positive contribution to the national economy and gross domestic product. The project is also expected to reduce carbon emissions and support Pakistan’s net zero targets.
Maryam Nawaz said Punjab was ready to welcome investment in all sectors and that the provincial government would provide every possible facility to domestic and foreign investors. She said a Zero Time to Start policy had been introduced to facilitate the launch of new industries and business ventures.
According to the chief minister, a one window operation has also been established to ensure the prompt issuance of all required no objection certificates and approvals. She said the government was working to provide a secure and investor friendly environment free from administrative and bureaucratic hurdles.
She added that transforming Punjab into a hub of modern green industry, clean energy and international trade remained a key government priority, and all necessary measures would be taken to achieve that objective.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Lahore Electric Supply Company has recorded a major improvement in its financial and operational performance by reducing its NEPRA related losses from Rs 79 billion to approximately Rs 21 billion over the past two years.
The reduction generated savings of more than Rs 58 billion for the national exchequer, according to a statement issued by the Power Division.
During the same period, LESCO’s electricity bill recovery rate increased to 101.05 percent. The company exceeded the 100 percent regulatory benchmark set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority for the first time.
A recovery rate above 100 percent indicates that the company collected payments against current electricity bills as well as a portion of previously outstanding dues. The improvement is expected to strengthen LESCO’s financial position and reduce liquidity pressure within the power sector.
The Power Division said LESCO’s transmission and distribution losses also declined from 15.8 percent to 11.86 percent, representing a reduction of nearly four percentage points within two years.
According to the statement, this was the largest reduction in losses achieved by any electricity distribution company in Pakistan over a two year period.
Distribution losses refer to electricity supplied to a company’s network that is not fully converted into billed and collected revenue. Such losses may result from outdated infrastructure, technical faults, inaccurate metering, electricity theft and weaknesses in billing or recovery systems.
The improvement in LESCO’s performance indicates progress in action against electricity theft, replacement of defective equipment, better monitoring of feeders, accurate billing and the recovery of outstanding payments.
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said LESCO’s performance demonstrated that consistent oversight and effective monitoring based on reliable data could produce positive results.
He said the company’s progress showed that electricity distribution companies could improve their financial and operational performance when management decisions were supported by regular monitoring and measurable performance indicators.
The Power Division said the results confirmed that empowered management, continuous oversight and non political governance could significantly improve the financial health of Pakistan’s electricity sector.
Low recovery rates and high distribution losses are considered major contributors to the accumulation of circular debt. When distribution companies fail to recover the full cost of electricity supplied to consumers, the resulting financial shortfall affects payments across the entire power supply chain.
Higher recoveries and lower losses at LESCO could help reduce pressure on circular debt, improve payments to electricity producers and limit the need for additional financial support from the government.
The Power Division said LESCO’s performance had also strengthened the case for introducing similar administrative, technical and governance reforms at other electricity distribution companies.
Officials believe that continuous monitoring, action against electricity theft, modern metering systems, accurate consumer classification and timely recovery of outstanding bills could enable other distribution companies to achieve similar reductions in financial losses.