Punjab Province

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Authorities have decided to construct water storage tanks along the Rawalpindi Ring Road to support operational requirements and facilitate public use, including services for the Parks and Horticulture Authority.
The directive was issued by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Amir Khattak, during a high-level meeting to review progress on the long-awaited infrastructure project. He also disclosed that a proposal is under consideration to establish a dedicated policing system for the Ring Road, including a separate traffic police force to ensure smooth traffic flow once the road becomes functional.
Addressing ongoing challenges, the commissioner pointed out that disruptions in the supply of construction materials and rising water levels have contributed to delays. He emphasized the need for stronger coordination among relevant departments to overcome these hurdles and prevent further setbacks.
The meeting also reviewed pending payments related to land acquisition. Khattak directed officials to send letters to concerned deputy commissioners for the immediate clearance of dues, warning that delays in payments could impact the project timeline.
Highlighting the importance of the project, he stated that the 38 kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road will play a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He added that approximately 85 percent of the work has already been completed.
Officials informed the meeting that construction on major components is nearing completion. The Railway Bridge and Maira Mohra Interchange are 99 percent complete, while the Nala Bridge has reached 97 percent completion.
Upon completion, the Ring Road is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow, improve connectivity between the twin cities, and contribute to broader urban development in the region.

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews]
Director General LDA, Tahir Farooq, visited the ongoing development projects at the Data Darbar expansion scheme, Bhatti Chowk Underpass, and surrounding areas of the Railway Station, reviewing the progress in detail.
During the visit, Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain and Chief Engineer LDA Asrar Saeed briefed him that work on the pedestrian zone of the Data Darbar expansion project is nearing completion, while finishing work on the pedestrian underpass is continuing round the clock. Simultaneously, work on the parking area and the courtyard (piazza) of the shrine is also in progress.
The DG LDA also inspected the Bhatti Chowk Underpass project, where he was informed that overall 37% of the work has been completed, while 85% of the piling work has been achieved. On this occasion, he directed the contractor to expedite the pace of development work to ensure timely completion.
Later, he reviewed the ongoing development activities around the Railway Station. The briefing highlighted that development of the parking area in front of the station is in its final stages, with installation of solar lights and work on seating areas underway. Additionally, teams are actively working on façade upgradation along Circular Road and in the surrounding areas of the Railway Station.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq directed that progress on both projects should be regularly monitored and all work must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to launch a large scale community development initiative aimed at providing affordable housing to low income families. In this regard, a key meeting on the Affordable Housing Program was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Housing, Bilal Yaseen. During the meeting, Project Director of the Punjab Affordable Housing Program, Muhammad Abdullah, gave a detailed briefing on the proposed plan. It was informed that a comprehensive strategy has been finalized to initiate the project in the first phase in Faisalabad and Khanewal. Provincial Minister Bilal Yaseen stated that construction of more than 1,600 housing units will commence this year under the program. These houses will be offered to low-income families on easy and affordable installment plans. The project will also include essential facilities such as schools, mosques, basic infrastructure, and other amenities to ensure a complete and sustainable community environment. It was further shared that over 215 kanal of government land in Faisalabad and Khanewal has been allocated for the construction of these housing units, while government subsidies will also be provided to facilitate deserving beneficiaries. Bilal Yaseen added that under the “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar” initiative, nearly 2,000 families have already been provided with free plots. Efforts are being accelerated to complete ongoing projects before the next fiscal year. According to officials, the initiative is being seen as a significant step towards ensuring affordable housing for low-income segments and improving their overall standard of living.