Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq conducted a detailed visit to the Data Darbar expansion project and the Bhatti Chowk underpass to review arrangements for public safety and the facilitation of pilgrims ahead of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing development activities, safety arrangements and traffic management measures around the project sites.
TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed the LDA director general on the progress of the schemes, construction activities and measures being taken to ensure public safety.
Farooq directed officials to strictly enforce all safety protocols around the development sites so that residents and pilgrims do not face inconvenience or any potential risk.
He ordered that all construction activities linked to the projects be temporarily suspended during the Chehlum and Urs events to prevent disruption to public movement and provide a safe environment for visitors.
The LDA director general also instructed the authorities to install protective sheets, adequate lighting, warning signs, barriers and other safety equipment around the construction zones.
He inspected the service roads surrounding the Bhatti Chowk underpass and reviewed measures aimed at maintaining smooth traffic flow in the area.
Farooq further directed officials to make special drainage arrangements in view of possible rainfall so that pilgrims and commuters do not face difficulties during any emergency situation.
He instructed the TEPA chief engineer to ensure that all safety measures were implemented in accordance with the approved traffic and route plans. Special lighting arrangements were also ordered around the development sites during nighttime.
The LDA director general said the authority would extend all possible cooperation to event organisers, relevant departments and pilgrims to ensure a safe, organised and smooth travel environment during the religious gatherings.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in a rent dispute, ruling that no tenant can be lawfully evicted without being provided a meaningful opportunity to defend their case. The court observed that depriving a citizen of their legal right of defence on mere technical grounds is contrary to the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial and the principles of natural justice.
Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir issued the 14-page detailed judgment while deciding a constitutional petition filed by Muhammad Waseem Tahir. The court set aside the Rent Tribunal's eviction order and directed that the matter be reheard on its merits. The judgment held that the petitioner's Leave to Contest application could not be dismissed solely on the grounds of delay, clarifying that the limitation period begins from the first date of hearing fixed by the court, rather than from the date the eviction notice is served on the tenant.
The court further observed that the Rent Tribunal acted hastily by dismissing both the application for restoration of attendance and the Leave to Contest application without properly examining the legal merits. As a result, the petitioner was denied an effective opportunity to defend himself. The High Court ruled that an eviction order cannot be sustained under such circumstances, as every litigant is entitled to a fair and impartial hearing.
The Lahore High Court directed the Rent Tribunal to decide the pending applications, including the restoration plea, within one month, while ordering that the main eviction petition be decided within four months in accordance with the law. The judgment also emphasized that justice in rent litigation can only be ensured when both parties are given a full opportunity to present their arguments and produce evidence before the court.
Legal experts believe the ruling will serve as an important judicial precedent for rent disputes under Punjab's tenancy laws. The judgment reinforces the principle that Rent Tribunals must decide cases on their merits, evidence, and the principles of fair hearing, rather than denying a party's right of defence on technical or procedural grounds.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has promulgated the Assets Management Authority of Punjab Ordinance 2026 to ensure the more efficient, profitable and investment-oriented use of public assets worth trillions of rupees across the province.
Under the ordinance, an autonomous statutory body has been established to identify, document, manage, develop, lease and sell movable and immovable government assets. The authority will also be responsible for enhancing the economic value of these assets through public private partnerships and other investment models.
The ordinance was issued by the Governor of Punjab while the provincial assembly was not in session and has come into immediate effect across the province. According to the government, the initiative is aimed at increasing non-tax revenue, attracting domestic and foreign investment, creating employment opportunities and expanding economic activity in Punjab.
Under the new law, the authority’s head office will be located in Lahore, while regional offices may be established in other cities where required. The Chief Secretary Punjab will serve as chairman of the authority, while the Senior Member Board of Revenue will act as vice chairman. Senior officials from the planning, finance, law, housing, local government and other key departments will also be represented on the governing body.
The authority will prepare a comprehensive digital inventory of all government assets, identify underutilised or inactive properties and develop plans for their commercial use or redevelopment.
Before any asset is sold or leased, its value will be independently assessed by three valuers. No asset will be transferred below the approved valuation. Investors will be selected through a secure digital platform under a transparent and competitive bidding process.
The ordinance empowers the authority to undertake joint ventures, real estate investment trusts, public private partnerships, leasing arrangements and other investment models. However, major projects, asset transfers, direct agreements and other significant decisions will require approval from a provincial cabinet committee, which will be required to decide such matters within 21 days.
Under the law, the authority will be allowed to retain only two percent of the net income generated from projects for administrative expenses. The remaining 98 percent will be deposited into the Provincial Consolidated Fund.
The authority’s financial records will be maintained in accordance with international accounting standards. Its accounts will be audited annually by the Auditor General of Pakistan as well as an independent chartered accountant.
The government maintains that a large number of public assets in Punjab have remained unused, underutilised or encroached upon for extended periods. The newly established authority is expected to improve the planning, protection and transparent commercial use of these assets, generate additional provincial revenue and support sustainable economic growth.