Punjab Province

A modern fruit and vegetable market is under construction in the Doolle Wala area of Kasur, as part of the Punjab government’s “Modern Punjab” initiative. The project aims to upgrade markets across the province with modern facilities, making trade more transparent, organized, and consumer-friendly. Planned features include transparent auctions, price regulation, improved sanitation, clean water, enhanced lighting, modern toilets, waste management, and tracking systems. Additionally, the market will include a drainage system, manhole covers, conversion of waste into biogas and poultry feed, help desk, rate boards, and truck tracking mechanisms. This initiative is part of the modernization of 188 vegetable markets in Punjab, with new markets also being established in Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura, and Mandi Bahauddin. Some local residents and traders have raised concerns regarding the chosen location, noting that proximity to existing areas may cause traffic or other operational challenges. At the same time, the government maintains that the new market will provide the public with affordable, high-quality, and safe fruits and vegetables, while promoting organized trade and reducing monopolistic practices. Experts say that the construction of modern markets will help ensure transparency in trade, better waste management, and improved convenience for consumers, though the integration of local feedback and concerns will be important for smooth implementation.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed the implementation of the Building Safety Regulations 2022 across the province, ordering strict legal action against any violations. The directive aims to strengthen building safety standards, particularly in public, commercial, and high-occupancy structures. The minister issued the instructions during an official review of emergency preparedness and safety frameworks, emphasizing that non-compliance with approved building regulations poses serious risks to public life and property. He stressed that enforcement agencies must ensure uniform application of the regulations without discrimination. Under the Building Safety Regulations 2022, buildings are required to meet defined standards related to structural stability, fire safety systems, emergency exits, electrical safety, and accessibility for emergency response services. The regulations apply to both newly constructed buildings and existing structures, particularly hospitals, educational institutions, shopping plazas, residential high-rises, and industrial facilities. Khawaja Salman Rafique instructed relevant departments, including district administrations and emergency services, to conduct inspections and identify buildings that fail to meet safety requirements. He directed that violators be proceeded against strictly under the law, including penalties, sealing of unsafe premises where necessary, and mandatory corrective measures. The minister highlighted that enforcement of safety regulations is a preventive measure aimed at reducing casualties during fires, building collapses, and other emergencies. He noted that recent incidents in urban centers have underscored the need for proactive regulation rather than post-incident responses. He further emphasized coordination between emergency services, building control authorities, and local administrations to ensure that safety audits are conducted regularly and deficiencies are addressed promptly. The focus, he said, should remain on protecting human life while ensuring that buildings are used strictly in accordance with their approved purpose and design. The directive forms part of the Punjab government’s broader approach to improving urban safety, regulating land and building use, and strengthening emergency preparedness across cities and towns in the province.

Kasur: District Reporter, Sadaf Arshad | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to carry out extensive beautification and urban improvement works at entry and exit points of cities across the province, placing emphasis on planned land use, public spaces, and civic infrastructure. During a special meeting on the Punjab Development Plan (PDP), the chief minister ordered thorough cleanliness and maintenance beneath overhead bridges and along major urban corridors. She instructed that green belts, landscaped areas, and play zones be developed as part of city gateway planning to improve the overall urban environment and public accessibility. She also directed the decoration and aesthetic enhancement of overhead bridges and underpasses, stressing that such structures should be integrated into broader urban design and land planning frameworks. The objective is to ensure that transport infrastructure contributes positively to city landscapes rather than creating neglected or underutilized spaces. To strengthen oversight and accountability, the chief minister ordered that all PDP projects be geo-tagged. This will allow authorities to monitor project locations, progress, and compliance with approved development plans, helping to curb unauthorized changes in land use and delays in execution. Addressing highway-related infrastructure, Maryam Nawaz Sharif sought a detailed plan for the establishment of standardized washroom facilities along provincial highways. She highlighted that such facilities are an essential component of highway land planning, particularly for long-distance travelers and transport operators. Deputy commissioners from Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Vehari, Wazirabad, Sheikhupura, and Kasur briefed the meeting on the progress of PDP projects in their districts. The briefings included updates on urban development schemes, public space improvement initiatives, and land-related infrastructure works. The chief minister instructed district administrations to ensure that development projects are implemented in line with approved land use plans, avoid encroachments, and deliver functional public amenities. She emphasized that urban development must remain people-centric, environmentally responsible, and aligned with long-term planning goals. The directives form part of Punjab’s broader urban renewal strategy aimed at improving city aesthetics, regulating land use, and strengthening civic infrastructure under the Punjab Development Plan.