Lahore Division

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Director General of the Lahore Development Authority, Tahir Farooq, visited the Railway Station and Misri Shah areas, where he conducted a detailed review of ongoing development and beautification works under the Urban Regeneration Project.
During the visit, the DG LDA inspected the ongoing work at the Railway Station parking area and directed the relevant authorities to complete the development work there at the earliest. He also reviewed the seating areas, greenery, and civic facilities being developed in the parking area.
Tahir Farooq also inspected the beautification of the railway wall and the ongoing beautification work beneath the flyover. On this occasion, he directed that all beautification-related works be completed within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining quality standards, so that citizens can be provided with a better, more organized, and visually improved urban environment.
The DG LDA also visited Misri Shah, where he reviewed the ongoing urban regeneration works on Kacha Rahim Road, Aziz Road, and surrounding areas. LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed and the Project Director briefed the DG LDA on the progress, design, construction of footpaths, façade upgrades, and other development matters.
During the briefing, it was stated that development works around Misri Shah are also being carried out on the pattern of the Railway Station project. These works include façade upgrades of properties, improvement of footpaths, civic facilities along roads, and the overall beautification of the area.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq said various works are being carried out around Misri Shah under the Urban Regeneration initiative. He said the objective is to improve older urban areas in line with modern requirements, create convenience for pedestrians, and give Lahore’s important locations a more organized and attractive appearance.
He directed the relevant officers and contractors to ensure quality, pace, and durability in all development works. He said improvement of civic facilities in busy areas such as the Railway Station and Misri Shah would not only ease traffic and pedestrian movement but also enhance the overall beauty of the city.
Contractors, LDA officials, and NESPAK officers were also present on the occasion.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court has ruled that all property-related cases involving overseas Pakistanis will be heard by special courts, expanding the scope of these forums beyond disputes limited to possession and ownership.
In a significant judgment, the court set aside objections previously raised by special courts over hearing such matters and clarified that their jurisdiction extends to all cases linked to the property of overseas Pakistanis.
According to the ruling, special courts are not restricted to deciding cases involving possession or title alone. The court observed that matters related to inheritance, mutation, power of attorney, and both movable and immovable property also fall within the jurisdiction of special courts established to protect the rights of overseas Pakistanis.
The court stated that the purpose of the Overseas Property Act is to safeguard the properties of overseas Pakistanis, and all cases covered under the law must be heard by the dedicated special courts.
The judgment further noted that both civil courts and special courts had wrongly interpreted the law by transferring only limited categories of overseas property disputes. This, the court said, had created unnecessary confusion and delays for litigants.
The high court observed that such cases should not become a “legal ping-pong” between civil courts and special courts because of flawed interpretation of the law. The court also ruled that if even one of the parties in a dispute is an overseas Pakistani, the case will fall within the jurisdiction of the special court.
It further clarified that cases transferred from civil courts will continue from the same stage rather than being filed afresh, ensuring that overseas Pakistanis do not have to restart legal proceedings.
The Lahore High Court also made it clear that overseas Pakistanis will not be required to refile their cases, as special courts are independent and dedicated forums meant to decide their property disputes.
The court directed all district and sessions judges to ensure implementation of the ruling and ordered the registrar to send copies of the judgment to all district and sessions judges for compliance.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that women are legally eligible to be appointed as permanent lumberdars in Punjab, setting aside executive orders issued by the Punjab government and declaring that gender alone cannot be used to deny a qualified woman the position.
In a detailed seven page judgment authored by Justice Raheel Kamran, the court allowed a petition filed by a woman from Lodhran who had challenged the appointment of another candidate as permanent lumberdar by the deputy commissioner and the Board of Revenue.
The court observed that the Constitution guarantees equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life, adding that no legal provision exists that disqualifies women from serving as lumberdars.
“This Court cannot remain oblivious to the contemporary constitutional ethos of equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life. No provision of law has been shown which disentitles a woman from holding the office of Lumberdar,” the judgment stated.
The petitioner’s father had previously served as the permanent lumberdar of the same village until his death. Following his passing, the petitioner had continued performing administrative responsibilities and was appointed as Sarbarah Lumberdar in 2002.
According to the court order, the woman had extensive experience in village administration and revenue affairs, making her fully competent for the permanent appointment.
“The record shows that she had been functioning as Sarbarah Lumberdar since 2002 and had been assisting the deceased incumbent in discharge of official duties,” the judgment noted.
The court further observed that the office of lumberdar is not merely ceremonial but requires practical understanding of revenue procedures, coordination with government officials, local familiarity and public accessibility.
Justice Raheel Kamran stated that where a female candidate fulfills all relevant legal and administrative criteria, her application must receive the same objective consideration as that of a male candidate.
The judgment emphasized that rural governance and revenue administration can benefit significantly from the participation of capable women in institutional roles that have historically remained male dominated.
“Such participation advances constitutional values of equal opportunity and strengthens public confidence in impartial administration,” the court said.
The LHC also warned against any direct or indirect bias that undermines women’s candidatures on grounds unrelated to merit, declaring that such discrimination cannot be justified under the law.
The ruling is being viewed as an important development for women’s representation in local governance and administrative structures across Punjab, particularly in rural areas where the office of lumberdar traditionally carries social influence and administrative responsibilities.