Punjab Province

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
Vice Chairman of the Lahore Development Authority, Mian Marghoob Ahmed, visited various development projects in Lahore along with LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and reviewed the pace, quality and completion stages of ongoing works.
During the visit, the LDA vice chairman and director general inspected development activities in several areas, including Railway Station, Misri Shah, Shad Bagh, Data Darbar and Bhatti Chowk. Chief Engineer LDA Israr Saeed and Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain briefed them in detail on the progress of the projects.
Officials were informed that development work around the Railway Station is moving rapidly toward completion. A parking area is being developed in front of the Railway Station, while greenery and finishing work are also underway. The briefing stated that a colorful dancing fountain will also be installed in the parking area in front of the Railway Station to enhance the beauty of the area.
According to LDA officials, work on the upgradation of building facades from Railway Station to Circular Road is also progressing swiftly. Teams are also working on the beautification of the railway wall, Ek Moria Pul and Do Moria Pul.
Vice Chairman LDA Mian Marghoob Ahmed and DG LDA Tahir Farooq also reviewed the Data Darbar expansion project and the under construction Bhatti Chowk underpass. According to the briefing, 55 percent of work on the Bhatti Chowk underpass has been completed. Excavation of Ramp One has been completed, while excavation work on Ramp Two is underway.
On the occasion, the LDA vice chairman and director general directed the relevant teams to use all available resources to complete the Bhatti Chowk underpass before the set deadline.
During the briefing on the Data Darbar expansion project, officials said development work is continuing simultaneously on all components of the project. Tile work is underway at the pedestrian underpass, along with finishing works, while finishing work is also in progress at the Data Darbar piazza, building facades and parking area.
Later, the LDA vice chairman and director general visited different areas of Misri Shah and Shad Bagh. Officials said the LDA is carrying out development work in various parts of Misri Shah under the urban regeneration initiative.
Mian Marghoob Ahmed and the LDA director general also reviewed the proposed road remodeling plan at Tokay Wala Chowk in Shad Bagh and directed the relevant officers to ensure public convenience, smooth traffic flow and high quality standards in the projects.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab is playing an important role in providing swift, affordable and effective justice to the public. He said the timely delivery of justice to complainants is a fundamental responsibility of state institutions, as delayed justice is effectively a denial of justice.
The governor expressed these views during a meeting with Ombudsperson Punjab Ayesha Hamid at Governor House Lahore. During the meeting, a commitment was expressed to continue cooperation for the resolution of citizens’ complaints against government departments, including the Board of Revenue, development authorities and district governments.
Ayesha Hamid presented the institution’s Annual Report 2025 to the governor and gave a detailed briefing on the overall performance of the Ombudsman’s Office, complaint redressal, staff training, digitalisation initiatives and measures aimed at strengthening institutional capacity.
Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan appreciated the performance of the Ombudsman Punjab and said that the timely redressal of public complaints strengthens citizens’ trust in state institutions. He said that when he assumed the office of Punjab Governor, appeals filed against the decisions of the Ombudsman Punjab had been pending at the Governor’s Office for the past three years. However, those appeals were disposed of on a priority basis, providing relief to the public.
The governor said there should be no delay in the process of delivering justice, as ordinary citizens place great expectations in institutions such as the Ombudsman for the resolution of issues related to government departments. He assured that the Governor’s Office would continue to extend full cooperation for resolving public complaints and improving institutional performance.
During the briefing, Ayesha Hamid said the Office of the OmbudsmanPunjab received twice as many complaints in 2025 compared with the previous year. She said prompt action was taken on these complaints, ensuring timely relief for complainants.
She further said that a modern digital system is being introduced to make the institution’s performance more effective and transparent. The system, she added, would help speed up the registration, monitoring and implementation process of complaints and decisions.
Ayesha Hamid said special attention is also being given to the professional training of officers and staff at the Ombudsperson Punjab Office so that public complaints can be heard and resolved more efficiently. She said the institution’s objective is to provide immediate relief to citizens while protecting them from unnecessary delays, complications and expenses.
Secretary Ombudsman Punjab Qaiser Saleem and Additional Secretary Governor’s Office Dr Anwar Kharral were also present during the meeting.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Nishat Group has strongly rejected reports circulating on social media regarding any change in ownership structure or possible redevelopment plans linked to Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, describing the claims as speculative, unverified and entirely unfounded.
In a public clarification, prominent businessman Mian Mohammad Mansha said the group had taken notice of information being shared online about Nishat Group and Rafhan Maize. He stated that no proposal related to ownership changes, restructuring, or redevelopment of Rafhan Maize property had been approved, nor was any such proposal currently under consideration.
Mian Mansha urged the public, investors and media outlets to avoid sharing unverified information, stressing that speculative reports can create unnecessary confusion in the market and among stakeholders.
The clarification comes after the Competition Commission of Pakistan recently approved the acquisition of shareholding in Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited by a consortium of acquirers comprising Nishat Group entities and associated individuals.
According to the earlier approval, the transaction involves the acquisition of shares in Rafhan Maize from Ingredion Incorporated, the majority seller, along with other individual shareholders. The deal was cleared after a Phase I review under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010.
The acquiring entities include Nishat Hotels and Properties Limited, D.G. Khan Cement Company Limited, Nishat Mills Limited, Lalpir Power Limited, Pakgen Power Limited, Nishat Power Limited, Nishat Chunian Power Limited and associated individuals.
Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited is one of Pakistan’s leading industrial food ingredients and corn refining companies. The company has long held an important position in the country’s manufacturing and food supply chain.
The Nishat Group’s clarification appears aimed at addressing speculation that emerged after the share acquisition approval, particularly claims suggesting that the deal could lead to a change in the company’s future operational direction or the redevelopment of its assets.
The group maintained that any public discussion about such matters must be based on verified information and official statements rather than social media speculation.