Punjab Province

Lahore: Hasnain Aulakh, Special Correspondent | Re News Pakistan
Director General of the Lahore Development Authority, Tahir Farooq, visited multiple ongoing development sites including Neela Gumbad, Data Darbar, Bhatti Chowk and the Railway Station to review progress.
During the visit, the DG inspected development works around Data Darbar and Bhatti Chowk. Senior officials from LDA, Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), and National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) were present. Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain and Chief Engineer LDA Israr Ahmed briefed the DG on project updates.
The briefing highlighted that development work is actively underway on all components of Basement-III of the Neela Gumbad project, with slab casting planned soon on 25 percent of the area. Officials further informed that construction of the footpath from the Railway Station towards Haji Camp is in progress, alongside beautification works on the Railway boundary wall and One Moriya Bridge. Facade upgradation of properties along Circular Road is also being carried out.
The DG LDA directed strict adherence to project timelines, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward delays and instructing contractors to ensure timely completion of assigned targets. He ordered that the slab for the pedestrian underpass be cast within the next two to three days and directed accelerated work on the parking area, toilet block construction, and walkways.
He also reviewed development activities around the Railway Station, where officials stated that work on the parking area in front of and surrounding the station is progressing swiftly.

Lahore: Hasnain Aulakh, Special Correspondent | Re News Pakistan
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, Fahad Ejaz has assumed charge as Deputy Secretary (Administration).
Fahad Ejaz is an officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, belonging to the 48th Common Training Program. Prior to this assignment, he has served on key administrative positions in various capacities.
The spokesperson further stated that upon assuming charge, Fahad Ejaz reviewed important administrative matters and departmental affairs.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
In a landmark welfare and public service initiative, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the launch of a free ambulance service for the transportation of deceased persons from public hospitals to their homes across the entire province of Punjab. The service will be implemented uniformly in every tehsil, ensuring equal access for both urban and rural populations.
The approval was granted during a special high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to review arrangements aimed at strengthening humanitarian and municipal support infrastructure across the province. She directed authorities to submit a comprehensive execution plan to deploy dedicated government vehicles at all major public hospitals and ensure operational availability in each tehsil without delay.
During the briefing, Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer informed the meeting that at least one dedicated vehicle would be stationed in every tehsil to facilitate timely and respectful transportation of deceased individuals. Families will be able to avail the free service either by calling the Rescue 1122 helpline or by submitting a request through hospital help counters, ensuring streamlined access across all districts and tehsil-level healthcare facilities.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the province-wide rollout reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening social service delivery and improving public facility access at the grassroots level. The initiative is expected to reduce the logistical and financial burden on families while enhancing institutional support systems in hospitals and local administrative units throughout Punjab.
In addition, the meeting reviewed proposals to regulate private ambulance operators and introduce standardized service rates, aimed at improving transparency, service quality, and affordability across the province’s healthcare and transport support network.