Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has approved a major legal reform to provide free legal assistance to victims of land grabbing and unlawful property dispossession across the province.
The Punjab Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, presented in the provincial assembly, introduces revisions to the Punjab Legal Aid Act 2018. Under the new provisions, individuals who file complaints under the Protection of Ownership Rights of Immovable Property Act 2025 will now be eligible to receive free legal representation.
The amendment further extends legal support to citizens who have been forcibly evicted or deprived of their property, ensuring access to lawyers during tribunal proceedings. Previously, such assistance was limited mainly to residential property dispute cases.
According to the ordinance, the Punjab Legal Aid Agency will be responsible for providing legal counsel to affected individuals, particularly those facing cases involving powerful land grabbers and organized property mafias.
Officials stated that the initiative is designed to ensure equal access to justice for vulnerable citizens and strengthen enforcement against illegal occupation of land.
The Governor of Punjab approved the ordinance on March 31, 2026. It has now been forwarded to the relevant committee, which will review it and submit its report within two months. After committee approval, the ordinance is expected to be formally enacted into law by the provincial assembly.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A decision has been made to increase machinery and human resources across the province to ensure the timely completion of the Punjab Development Plan.
According to sources, a key review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin to assess the progress of ongoing WASA development projects.
During the briefing, Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal and DG WASA Tayyab Farid informed the participants that, in the initial phase of the plan, modern WASA complexes will be established in 15 cities across the province.
The provincial minister directed all districts to immediately launch a de-silting campaign to improve drainage systems. He emphasized that, considering emergency conditions in 15 districts, all set targets must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Managing Directors of WASA from the 15 districts participated in the meeting via video link and shared updates on the progress of ongoing development work in their respective areas.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
More than Rs 22 billion has been collected so far in property tax across Punjab. The total property tax target for the province is set at Rs 33 billion, out of which Region B has been assigned a target of Rs 9 billion. According to the Excise and Taxation Department, inspectors and ETOs who fail to meet their targets will be removed from their positions.
Meanwhile, in the provincial capital Lahore, it has been decided to initiate strict action against major defaulters after April 10. Orders have been issued to seal 31,000 commercial properties.
Director Excise Ahmad Saeed stated that final notices had already been served to owners of commercial properties, but taxes were still not paid. All inspectors and ETOs have been directed to seal the properties of defaulters after April 10.
He further revealed that more than Rs 500 million in dues remain unpaid by defaulters. Along with sealing commercial properties, confiscation notices are also being issued to residential property tax defaulters.
According to Director Excise Ahmad Saeed, Region B has collected Rs 7 billion in property tax during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.