Punjab Province

The Punjab government has established a special cell in Rawalpindi under the Punjab Protection of Immovable Properties Ordinance to fast-track cases involving land grabbed through force, fraud or any unlawful means.

Following special instructions from the Chief Minister of Punjab, City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, SSP Operations, the ADCR, divisional SPs and assistant commissioners convened a district-level meeting to review implementation of the ordinance.

Under the new framework, the entire process from filing an application to the final decision will be completed within ninety days. All cases will be handled jointly by the police and the district administration through the Dispute Resolution Committee.

The DRC will hear both parties and, in cases where a settlement is reached, forward its report to the tribunal. The tribunal, comprising former district or high court judges appointed for a three-year term, will issue legal orders based on the DRC’s findings.

If no settlement is reached, the tribunal will begin trial proceedings and may transfer the matter to a civil or sessions court. The DRC will also have the authority to seal a property where necessary and may recommend legal action in cases involving false or frivolous applications.

All applications will be received at the special cell set up in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where applicants will be required to submit property documents, supporting evidence and details of the party in unlawful possession.

From our Bureau Office

Bahawalpur’s Commissioner Musarat Jabeen has directed civic agencies to accelerate work on major development schemes, stressing that timely completion and uncompromised quality are now top administrative priorities. Chairing a high-level review meeting, she examined the performance of development authorities and the status of several ongoing public projects across the city.

During the session, the Commissioner reviewed the upgradation of the Central Library, a project she described as pivotal to the city’s intellectual and cultural landscape. She urged officials to maintain continuity in construction activities, avoid any lapse in standards and ensure that all stages of the project are completed within the approved timeline. Officials also briefed her on the latest engineering designs, interior refurbishment plans, digital facilities and infrastructure improvements included in the scheme.

The meeting also considered development projects recently approved by the Punjab government, notably the establishment of a modern burn unit at Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital. The new facility aims to provide advanced treatment for severe burn injuries and to enhance emergency medical services for millions of residents across South Punjab.

Commissioner Jabeen instructed departments to ensure transparent monitoring, timely utilisation of development funds and strict quality control so that public infrastructure progresses in line with the city’s expanding needs.

The meeting was attended by senior officers, engineers and planning officials, who shared detailed briefings on their respective areas of work.

The Punjab government has unveiled a large scale groundwater restoration programme for Lahore, announcing the construction of one thousand recharge wells across the metropolitan region. The initiative aims to address the city’s rapidly falling water table, which has become one of the most serious urban sustainability challenges in Punjab. According to senior officials of the Housing Department, the first pilot recharge well has been completed and is capable of injecting nearly eight thousand gallons of water per day back into the aquifer. At present, Lahore has only three functioning recharge wells. Under the new plan, the government will begin with an initial phase of fifteen newly engineered wells, designed with modern filtration and subsurface injection technology. The Punjab Housing Authority has been directed to allocate dedicated spaces within major public parks. This model integrates green infrastructure with groundwater conservation, ensuring that urban parks contribute to aquifer recharge rather than allowing rainwater to flow into drains and stormwater channels. The authority has also emphasised that existing trees and vegetation will be protected during construction. Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal noted that the project is built around environmental safeguards and long term water stewardship. “Water is a blessing. Preventing its wastage is a shared duty.” He added that all relevant agencies have been instructed to complete the plan on a priority basis. In parallel, the Water and Sanitation Agency Punjab will establish additional recharge points across the province, expanding the scope of the initiative beyond Lahore and creating a more integrated groundwater restoration network. From an urban planning and policy perspective, the project signals an important shift toward sustainable water management in Punjab. Experts note that Lahore’s aquifer has been under severe stress due to urban expansion, over extraction of water, and a decline in natural recharge capacity. By capturing and reinjecting rainwater, the one thousand well programme has the potential to slow the rate of depletion and support long term water security. For major cities in Pakistan that face similar groundwater challenges, this initiative provides an important model for nature based solutions, integrated park and water systems, and climate resilient city planning.