Punjab Province

(Re News Bureau Desk)
The Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday chaired a high level meeting that approved major urban reforms and an extensive traffic management plan for Lahore and other major cities of the province. The decisions are expected to directly affect urban infrastructure, land use, commercial activity and the daily life of residents.

The meeting decided that all wedding halls without proper parking facilities will be shut down. The Chief Minister directed that every wedding hall must provide an organised parking area along with a complete traffic management plan, otherwise its operating permission will be cancelled. This move is expected to have a direct impact on Lahore’s commercial land use policy and the existing traffic load around key corridors.

The government also approved a complete ban on the entry of Qingqi rickshaws on five model roads of Lahore in order to improve traffic flow and strengthen safety across major transport corridors. In addition, all important U turns in the city will be redesigned to reduce accidents and ease congestion on busy intersections.

The Chief Minister issued a final warning to the traffic authorities, giving them a thirty day deadline to improve the city’s traffic situation. She cautioned that if performance does not improve, major administrative changes will follow within the department. She stressed that an efficient traffic system is a fundamental part of Lahore’s urban structure and can no longer be overlooked.

(Re-News Reporting Desk)
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has restored electricity to four residential projects in Bahria Town Lahore after the housing society cleared outstanding dues amounting to Rs682.2 million. Power supply was resumed immediately after the payment was made.

A Lesco spokesperson confirmed that electricity to all four schemes, including the main Bahria Town near Mohlanwal, had been fully restored. The sudden suspension of power a day earlier had caused serious concern among residents, who had announced a protest to be held after Friday prayers.

According to Lesco chief executive Ramzan Butt, the final deadline for bill payment was initially 21 November, later extended to 23 November at the society’s request, with further extensions granted in the following days. However, after the last deadline of 27 November also passed without payment, the company disconnected supply. The main Bahria Town project alone owed more than Rs530 million, he said.

The CEO added that instead of clearing the dues, the housing society approached the court, reportedly to seek relief, but before any ruling could be obtained, Lesco proceeded with the disconnection in line with its regulations.

It is worth noting that in 2024 Lesco had also cut power to Bahria Town over unpaid electricity bills exceeding Rs760 million.

Commissioner Gujranwala Division Syed Naveed Haider Shirazi has said that unapproved housing schemes and unregulated construction have severely disrupted urban planning and increased the risk of encroachments on government land. He directed all deputy commissioners in the division to ensure the immediate recovery of state land, regardless of the influence or identity of the individuals or groups involved.

List of illegal housing schemes prepared and action ordered

Additional Commissioner Coordination Muhammad Shafiq, Director General GDA Ghayas Apani, Deputy Director GDA and Wasa Engineer Khurram attended the meeting. Officials informed the commissioner that hundreds of housing schemes in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin are either unapproved or in serious violation of rules and regulations.

The commissioner instructed authorities to
* establish special teams at the tehsil level
* conduct field operations against land grabbers
* warn citizens to avoid investing in unapproved housing schemes
* make the approval process more transparent and conduct public awareness campaigns

Emergency inspection of sanitation, street lights and main roads

Acting on these directives, Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala and Chairman GWMC Naveed Ahmed carried out early morning inspections in various parts of the city. He reviewed sanitation, green belts, street lights and encroachments along Kashmir Road, Peoples Colony, GT Road and electric bus routes.

He directed officials to
* ensure timely removal of waste
* repair all non functional street lights without delay
* take action against encroachments without discrimination
* speed up the installation of new monuments and the restoration of green belts in major squares

Upgrading the electric bus service and passenger facilities

The deputy commissioner inspected the electric bus service and spoke to passengers about service quality and complaints. He said new and modern waiting areas were being developed at various points to improve passenger convenience.

Detailed inspection of Gujranwala Teaching Hospital

He later visited Gujranwala Teaching Hospital and inspected the emergency ward, out patient departments, dengue ward, gynaecology out patient department, pharmacy and token counter. The deputy commissioner reviewed overall cleanliness, staff attendance, availability of medicines and the facilities being provided to patients. He directed the Medical Superintendent, Dr Atiq Ahmed, to improve service delivery, reduce unnecessary crowding and ensure timely treatment for all patients.

Report by SyedShayan.com Real Estate Portal