Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Kohinoor Textile Mills has approved the installation of a 48.36 megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) along with an additional 9.34MW solar power plant as part of its energy strategy.
According to the company, both projects are expected to begin commercial operations in the final month of the second quarter of fiscal year 2026-27.
A Battery Energy Storage System allows electricity to be stored in batteries and used when required for industrial operations. Such systems can help companies manage their electricity supply more efficiently and improve energy reliability.
The additional 9.34MW solar project will further expand Kohinoor Textile Mills’ renewable power generation capacity.
Combining solar generation with battery storage can also allow the company to manage electricity production and consumption more effectively during different periods of the day.
The investment represents an important development in the adoption of large scale battery energy storage technology by Pakistan’s industrial sector.
As energy costs and power supply challenges continue to influence industrial operations, a growing number of businesses are exploring solar generation and energy storage solutions. Kohinoor Textile Mills’ latest projects reflect this broader shift towards greater energy efficiency and alternative power sources.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNws Pakistan
Managing Director of the Lahore Horticulture Agency, Ahmed Usman Javed, visited Adda Plot, Jati Umra Road and adjoining areas to inspect ongoing horticulture, plantation and beautification work along with the green belts.
During the visit, Horticulture Director Abdullah Nisar Cheema briefed the managing director on the progress of work at various locations and measures being taken to improve the green belts. Ahmed Usman Javed also interacted with horticulture workers and gardeners at the sites and reviewed details of the ongoing activities.
The managing director directed the relevant officials to further improve the greenery and visual appearance of green belts along Adda Plot, Jati Umra Road and surrounding areas. He said special attention was being given to plantation, maintenance and beautification of green belts along the city’s major roads.
Ahmed Usman Javed said the Lahore Horticulture Agency was taking effective measures to increase greenery and improve the urban environment in line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Green Lahore” vision.
He also instructed officials to ensure that plantation and beautification work is carried out in accordance with prescribed standards and that regular maintenance of the green belts is maintained.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has opened online applications for the Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat scheme, offering interest free loans of up to Rs 1 million to eligible families seeking to repair, strengthen or expand their existing homes.
The initiative has been introduced under the broader Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme and is primarily aimed at supporting lower income households living in homes that require structural repairs or additional residential space.
Applications for the scheme can now be submitted online through the official Apni Chhat Apna Ghar portal, where a dedicated application option for Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat has been made available.
Under the financing structure, eligible homeowners whose houses have weak, damaged or potentially unsafe roofs can apply for an interest free loan of up to Rs 500,000.
The financing can be used for roof repairs and structural strengthening intended to improve the safety and condition of existing houses. The initiative could provide financial assistance to households that may otherwise struggle to meet the cost of essential repairs to deteriorating residential structures.
Beneficiaries receiving the maximum Rs 500,000 financing facility are expected to repay approximately Rs 4,700 per month over a repayment period of nine years.
The programme also provides a larger financing option for families that require additional residential space.
Eligible households seeking to construct an additional room or another floor on their existing house can apply for an interest free loan of up to Rs 1 million.
For the maximum Rs 1 million financing facility, the monthly repayment is expected to be approximately Rs 9,300, according to details announced for the programme.
The repayment structure is designed to spread the cost over several years while avoiding interest charges, potentially making home improvement and expansion more accessible to households with limited financial resources.
Another significant feature of the programme is that the Punjab government will bear loan processing fees and administrative charges, reducing the upfront expenses applicants would otherwise have to pay while obtaining financing.
The scheme effectively introduces two major financing categories. Homeowners requiring repairs or strengthening of unsafe roofs can seek up to Rs 500,000, while households requiring additional living space can apply for up to Rs 1 million for construction of another room or floor.
The programme comes as the Punjab government continues to expand its housing initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable residential financing and supporting families seeking to construct or improve their homes.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants can submit their applications through the official Apni Chhat Apna Ghar portal.
Applicants are required to register on the portal or log in to an existing account, select the Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat application option and choose the appropriate financing category.
They will then be required to provide the necessary personal and property related information before submitting their application for consideration.
The availability of an entirely online application mechanism is expected to make the programme accessible to eligible households across Punjab without requiring applicants to begin the process through conventional physical application channels.
The scheme expands the scope of Punjab’s housing support beyond construction of new homes by providing financing for families that already own houses but need financial assistance to make those properties safer or accommodate growing household requirements.