Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The implementation of Punjab's Green Property Certificate (GPC) has encountered significant challenges in several parts of the province, as incomplete land record digitisation continues to slow property sales, transfers and other land transactions. While the certificate became mandatory on July 1, 2026, officials acknowledge that the remaining non-digitised areas are creating procedural delays for buyers, sellers and legal professionals.
The Green Property Certificate was introduced by the Punjab government as part of its broader land governance reforms to improve transparency in real estate transactions. The certificate is designed to digitally verify a property's ownership, possession, legal status, boundaries and other essential records before any transfer or sale is completed, reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and ownership disputes.
However, implementation has proven difficult in several revenue estates where land records have not yet been fully computerised. Property owners, lawyers and real estate professionals have reported delays in obtaining the mandatory certificate because digital verification cannot be completed where historical records remain incomplete or unavailable.
In response to these concerns, the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has resumed issuing computerised land record extracts in areas where digitisation has already been completed. However, authorities have yet to announce a comprehensive policy for handling transactions in non-computerised revenue estates, leaving uncertainty for thousands of property owners.
According to PLRA Deputy Director Ali Raza Butt, nearly 96% of Punjab's land records have been digitised, while the remaining four percent are still undergoing processing due to historical ownership disputes, administrative complexities and incomplete documentation. He explained that most pending cases involve revenue estates with longstanding legal complications or deficient historical records.
Officials say the Green Property Certificate will only be issued after all discrepancies regarding ownership, possession, land boundaries and legal status have been verified and corrected. The objective is to ensure that every property transaction is backed by accurate and legally verified documentation before registration.
Real estate professionals argue that incomplete records continue to create obstacles in many districts. They point to inconsistencies involving boundary demarcation, possession records, inheritance claims, joint ownership, outdated survey information and pending court cases as major reasons behind transaction delays.
Shahid Ansar Goraya, President of the Patwari Association Punjab, said the province has not conducted a comprehensive land settlement survey for approximately 125 years. He noted that digitisation, which began in 2007, inherited numerous historical inaccuracies, including data-entry errors, multiple properties recorded under single survey numbers, indivisible land records and outdated urban boundary maps.
He stressed that Punjab requires a province-wide land resurvey, systematic correction of land records and modern boundary demarcation to ensure the Green Property Certificate system can function efficiently across every district.
Despite the implementation challenges, the Punjab government remains committed to expanding the Green Property Certificate system as part of wider reforms aimed at strengthening property verification, improving land administration, reducing litigation and increasing investor confidence in the province's real estate sector. Officials say the digitisation of the remaining land records will continue alongside ongoing reforms to modernise Punjab's land management system.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has launched a Green Railway Corridor project in Lahore under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision for a greener and smog-free Punjab. Modelled on similar initiatives in developed countries, the project aims to transform abandoned, unused and garbage-strewn railway land into parks, gardens and public recreational spaces.
Under the four phase project, a total of 32 parks will be developed along railway tracks. During the first phase, around 20 acres of land between Shahdara and Raiwind have already been converted into landscaped green spaces, gardens, walking areas and recreational facilities.
Officials said 21 parks have also been completed on land adjoining the railway tracks. These parks are providing recreational facilities to local communities while contributing to environmental improvement and helping reduce air pollution.
The Punjab Green Railway Corridor will span a total length of 45 kilometres and is estimated to cost more than Rs 1.77 billion. The project has been divided into four packages and is being jointly implemented by the Punjab Horticulture Authority and Pakistan Railways.
According to the Punjab government, the initiative is an important step towards developing green spaces along railway tracks in line with international urban planning practices. It is intended to make Punjab greener and more attractive, improve the urban environment and provide safe, quality recreational facilities for children, women and the general public.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to remove obstacles delaying the remaining phases and accelerating implementation. She has also instructed the departments concerned to ensure high construction standards and timely completion of the project.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Acting on the directions of Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing launched a major operation against illegal commercial buildings, unauthorised land use conversion and commercial fee defaulters across the LDA controlled area, sealing a total of 124 properties and demolishing several unlawful structures.
According to the LDA, the operations were carried out in Jubilee Town, Gulberg, New Garden Town, Samanabad, Gujjarpura, New Muslim Town, Poonch Road and Sabzazar. In Jubilee Town, an unauthorised structure at Plot No. 539 A was demolished over illegal land use conversion.
An LDA spokesperson said 30 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town for illegal commercial use, while another 72 properties were sealed in Samanabad, Gujjarpura, New Muslim Town and along Poonch Road. During a separate recovery operation, 22 properties were also sealed in Sabzazar.
The sealed properties included private schools, wedding halls, cafés, restaurants, food outlets, bakeries, beauty salons, pharmacies, grocery stores, hardware shops, clinics, automobile workshops, retail shops, offices and other commercial establishments operating in violation of applicable regulations.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asaduz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali.
LDA officials said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial activities, unauthorised construction and properties with unpaid commercial fees would continue to ensure planned and lawful urban development across Lahore.