Punjab Province

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan]
An important meeting of the Planning and Design Committee was held under the chairmanship of Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq, during which various cases submitted through the e-Biz Portal were reviewed in detail.
During the meeting, the cases presented before the committee were approved or rejected in accordance with the relevant laws, rules, regulations and land use policy. The LDA DG directed that implementation of the approved land use must be ensured in all cases cleared by the Planning and Design Committee.
He made it clear that in all approved cases, setback areas must be cleared to avoid any negative impact on urban planning, traffic flow and civic facilities. Tahir Farooq said that public awareness is also essential to address Lahore’s growing parking issues, while parking availability should be treated as a key condition during the approval process.
He particularly directed that parking arrangements must be ensured at the time of approval for educational institutions, schools, academies, gyms and sports centres. He further instructed that before granting approvals, recovery of any applicable penalty fees related to illegal change of use or other violations must also be ensured.
The meeting also reviewed various cases related to schools, petrol pumps, rehabilitation centres, medical centres and other establishments, with several cases approved in accordance with the law.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue, Chief Metropolitan Planner, Chief Town Planner-I, Chief Town Planner-II, and representatives of LDA, MCL, TEPA, WASA and the DC Office attended the meeting. Directors from all zones of the LDA Town Planning Wing were also present.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
A major connectivity milestone has been achieved with the opening of the new road linking DHA and Formanites, officially connecting Phase 5 Ring Road with Phase 9.
The newly established road link is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of residents who have long faced heavy traffic congestion and daily commuting delays in the area. By creating a smoother and more direct route between key residential and commercial zones, the project is set to improve overall traffic flow and reduce pressure on existing roads.
The connection between DHA, Formanites and Phase 9 is also being viewed as an important step toward strengthening local infrastructure. Residents believe the project will not only save travel time but also improve access to nearby communities, educational institutions, business centres and major road networks.
According to Malik Kashif and other community representatives, the road addresses one of the most pressing traffic bottlenecks that had affected residents for years. The improved route is expected to make daily movement more convenient for families, students, office workers and businesses operating in and around DHA and its adjoining areas.
Beyond easing traffic pressure, the project is also likely to support a new phase of development and growth in the surrounding locality. Better road access often plays a key role in improving property value, encouraging commercial activity and making residential communities more attractive for living and investment.
Speaking on the development, Malik Kashif described the completion of the road as a great milestone for the community. He said the new connection would help make DHA and its surroundings an even better place to live, work and invest.
He also expressed gratitude to all individuals and institutions who contributed to making the project possible.
The opening of the road marks an important infrastructure improvement for the area and is expected to deliver long term benefits for residents, commuters and investors alike.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
China’s Dongjin Group is set to establish a $15 million lithium and dry battery manufacturing facility in Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Faisalabad, marking another important step toward strengthening Pakistan’s emerging battery manufacturing sector.
The planned facility will be developed in the Special Economic Zone near Faisalabad. The investment agreement has been signed with the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, as Pakistan continues efforts to attract advanced manufacturing projects under investor friendly industrial policies.
The project is expected to help meet Pakistan’s rising demand for batteries, particularly as the country witnesses growing adoption of electric vehicles, solar power systems and renewable energy storage solutions. Officials believe local battery production can play a key role in reducing dependence on imports while supporting industrial growth.
Speaking about the investment, Sharqi Ali Tipu, Director of Marketing at the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, said Dongjin Group decided to invest in Pakistan after observing strong market demand for batteries, especially in the electric vehicle and solar energy sectors.
He said the project is likely to generate significant economic and industrial activity across several connected sectors. These include electronics, automotive components, packaging, chemicals and engineering services. The facility is also expected to create employment opportunities in Faisalabad and nearby areas.
According to officials, the battery plant will also support the transfer of modern manufacturing technology to Pakistan’s local industry. This is considered important as the country moves toward building domestic capacity in high value industrial sectors.
Allama Iqbal Industrial City is one of Pakistan’s key Special Economic Zones developed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor framework. The zone offers modern infrastructure, strategic connectivity and incentives aimed at attracting local and foreign investors.
Under Pakistan’s Special Economic Zone incentive package, Dongjin Group will be eligible for a 10-year income tax holiday. The company will also receive a one-time exemption from customs duties and taxes on the import of plant and machinery.
Officials from the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade said the board will continue to support the company throughout the investment process to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
Industry stakeholders believe the establishment of advanced battery manufacturing facilities is becoming increasingly important for Pakistan. They say the growth of electric vehicles, solar energy and energy storage systems has created a major opportunity for local manufacturing.
Former Chairman of the Engineering Development Board, Almas Hyder, said Pakistan is gradually moving toward the localization of lithium ion battery manufacturing. He said this shift can strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported battery products.
He also expressed hope that the recently introduced Battery Manufacturing Policy 2026–31 would encourage further domestic production and private-sector investment in the sector.
Hyder said batteries have become strategically important worldwide due to rising demand linked with renewable energy, electric vehicles and grid stability. He added that increased battery production in Pakistan could help reduce dependence on expensive electricity and imported fossil fuels.
The proposed Dongjin Group facility is being seen as an important investment for Pakistan’s industrial future, particularly at a time when the country is seeking to expand local manufacturing, promote clean energy solutions and attract technology based foreign investment.