Punjab Province

Kasur:[ReNews Pakistan] At the start of January 2026, Punjab’s ongoing encroachment removal and city beautification campaign has gained momentum in District Kasur. Following clear directives from Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the district administration and Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) are conducting joint operations, resulting in visible improvements across various urban areas. The provincial government issued instructions in December 2025 to renovate 188 markets across Punjab and implement a zero-tolerance policy against illegal encroachments. Under this initiative, streets, sidewalks, and public spaces in District Kasur are being cleared and organized. As part of the first phase of the Punjab Beautification Plan (February–May 2026), 132 development schemes are underway across the district and the province, with a total budget of PKR 16.9 billion. Operations in Kasur, Chunniyan, Pattoki, and Kot Radha Kishan have targeted illegal stalls, temporary and permanent encroachments on streets and sidewalks. Recent actions in areas such as Allahabad Chowk in Chunniyan have also been carried out, with some resistance encountered, but overall enforcement continued without interruption. At the district level, Deputy Commissioner Kasur Muhammad Asif Raza is overseeing the operations, while Assistant Commissioners of each tehsil supervise field activities daily. Progress reports on cleanliness, encroachment removal, and beautification are presented in Lahore Division meetings to ensure coordinated implementation. Following the clearance of encroachments, markets have become wider, traffic flow has improved, and pedestrians—especially women, children, and the elderly—now enjoy safer and easier access. Pedestrian zones in places like Chunniyan Main Market are already showing noticeable improvements in mobility and public convenience. The administration has set a target to complete the first phase of the campaign by May 2026. Uniform standards are being maintained across all districts, and PE-RA has been given additional authority to enforce regulations. Citizens are urged to cooperate with authorities, avoid re-establishing encroachments, and maintain cleanliness, ensuring that District Kasur transforms into a well-organized and aesthetically improved urban area.

[ReNews Pakistan] Lahore: The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has approved the establishment of shrimp farming estates over a total area of 5,600 acres in Sargodha and Alipur, District Muzaffargarh. The initiative targets land that has become barren or saline, where conventional agricultural activities have remained limited for years. According to the project framework, the initiative aims to bring previously unproductive land into economic use through shrimp farming. The plan focuses on alternative land utilization, export-oriented production, and the creation of employment opportunities in underdeveloped regions of the province. In Sargodha, a shrimp farming estate along with a supporting value chain is being developed at Chak No. 58 on 124 acres. Excavation work for 57 ponds has been completed at the site. During the initial phase, 9 ponds have been prepared over 20 acres, while a 5,320-meter drainage system has also been completed to manage water flow and quality. In Alipur, District Muzaffargarh, the project covers a significantly larger area in Rakh Ali Wali. Land clearing and leveling activities have been completed on 2,507 acres. A total of 57 shrimp ponds have been constructed in the area, and 50 tubewells have been installed. Across both locations, 32 tubewells and 8 transformers have been set up to ensure uninterrupted water and electricity supply. As part of the research and production phase, shrimp seed has been introduced into 64 research ponds. These ponds are being used to assess shrimp growth patterns, water quality management, feed efficiency, and disease control mechanisms. A quality control laboratory being established in Lahore at a cost of Rs 4.5 billion is near completion, while a research laboratory in Muzaffargarh is in the final stages of development. These facilities are intended to align shrimp production with international quality standards. To strengthen technical capacity, Pakistani experts associated with the project have undergone specialized training in Saudi Arabia and Mexico. In addition, foreign experts have visited Pakistan to provide on-ground technical and operational guidance. Recruitment for project staff is in the final stages, while examinations for 100 interns have already been conducted. The project is being positioned as a new land-utilization model in Punjab, focusing on converting saline and non-productive land into economically viable zones through shrimp farming. The project’s production outcomes and its impact on exports are expected to become clearer in the coming phases.

[ReNews Pakistan] Lahore: Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has formally inaugurated a newly constructed arena at Wagah Border, significantly expanding facilities for visitors attending the daily flag lowering ceremony. The new arena increases seating capacity to 25,000, allowing substantially more spectators to witness one of Pakistan’s most prominent national rituals at any given time. Speaking at the inauguration, the chief minister described Wagah Border as a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s national identity and patriotic spirit, attracting citizens from across the country as well as foreign tourists on a daily basis. She said that the expanded seating and upgraded infrastructure would not only improve public comfort and safety but would also project a positive and orderly image of Pakistan internationally. Maryam Nawaz said that arrangements at the arena had been upgraded in line with modern standards, including improved security, crowd management, entry and exit routes, seating layout and other public amenities. She directed the relevant authorities to ensure that visitors and tourists are provided with all possible facilities so that a visit to Wagah Border becomes a memorable and welcoming experience. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the chief minister inspected the new arena and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. She said the Punjab government would continue to invest in public facilities and the improvement of national landmarks as part of its broader commitment to civic development and public engagement.