Punjab Province

Lahore : [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority has sealed 128 properties in a major operation against illegal commercial use, non-payment of commercialisation fees and violations of building regulations in different parts of the city.
On the directions of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing launched an operation against illegal commercial buildings and fee defaulters in areas falling under the authority’s control. The operations were carried out in Gulberg, New Garden Town, Johar Town, Gulshan Ravi, GT Road, Sabzazar and several other localities.
According to LDA officials, 39 properties were sealed in Gulshan Ravi and along GT Road during action against illegal commercial use. Similarly, 24 properties were sealed in Gulberg and New Garden Town Scheme over illegal commercial activity and non-payment of commercial fees.
In Johar Town, LDA teams sealed 35 illegal commercial shops, while 30 properties were sealed in Sabzazar during a recovery operation. Officials said the actions were aimed at ensuring enforcement of building laws, recovery of government dues and curbing illegal commercial activities in residential areas.
The sealed properties include private schools, restaurants, food points, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, shops, offices and other business centres. According to the LDA, several of these properties had already been issued notices, but enforcement action was taken after continued violations and failure to clear outstanding dues.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner One Asaduz Zaman and Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali, while relevant directorates and field teams conducted simultaneous actions in different areas.
LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said operations against illegal commercial buildings, commercial fee defaulters and those violating building laws would continue without discrimination. He said ensuring compliance with urban development regulations is a core responsibility of the LDA and no relaxation would be given in this regard.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
More than 150,000 homeless families across Punjab have been issued interest free loans under the Punjab government’s “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme, helping thousands of families move closer to realizing their dream of owning a home.
During a briefing given to Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin on the progress of the programme, officials said that interest free loans have so far been provided to more than 156,000 families for the construction of houses. According to officials, the total value of loans issued under the programme has exceeded Rs 208 billion.
The briefing reviewed in detail the distribution of loans, houses under construction, completed units and pending applications. Officials said 32,412 houses are currently under construction at different stages across various districts of the province, while loan amounts will soon be released to another 7,792 families.
Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin directed the relevant authorities to further expand the scope of the programme in both urban and rural areas so that the maximum number of deserving families can benefit from the facility. He said the Punjab government would fulfill its commitment to provide interest free loans to another 100,000 families in the new financial year.
Bilal Yasin said the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme is an important welfare initiative for ordinary citizens, enabling tenant families to become homeowners. He added that thousands of families have already laid the foundation for a better and more secure future through the programme.
The housing minister said the Punjab government would continue taking practical steps to provide affordable, safe and dignified housing to the people. He said the government’s priority is to extend financial assistance on easy terms to homeless and low income families so they can fulfill their dream of building their own homes.

Vehari : [Tariq Aziz Ansari, District Coordinator, ReNews Pakistan]
Former Member of the National Assembly Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Arain and former Member of the Provincial Assembly Sardar Khalid Mahmood inaugurated ongoing development projects in A Block and D Block of Burewala.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by local Pakistan Muslim League-N workers, area notables and a large number of citizens. Upon the arrival of both former lawmakers, residents warmly welcomed them and expressed satisfaction over the launch of development work in the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Arain and Sardar Khalid Mahmood said that fulfilling promises made to the public was their political and public responsibility. They said practical steps would continue for the provision of basic facilities, development work and the resolution of civic issues in Burewala and other areas of Vehari district.
They said Pakistan Muslim League-N had always given priority to public service, development projects and civic facilities. Development work related to roads, streets, drainage and other basic issues in the area would help provide relief to the public, they added.
During the ceremony, local residents thanked Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Arain and Sardar Khalid Mahmood for inaugurating the development projects and expressed hope that efforts would continue in the future to resolve the long-standing issues of the area.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by PML-N Labour Wing District President Hafiz Usman Riaz, Chaudhry Awais Shakoor, Drug Association Burewala President Javed Iqbal Bhatti, along with local PML-N workers and a large number of citizens.