Four uplift schemes worth over Rs19 billion approved

LAHORE:In its 46th meeting of the fiscal year 2024-25, the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved four development schemes amounting to Rs19.275 billion. Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan presided over the meeting.

The meeting was attended by P&D Board Secretary Dr Asif Tufail, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, members of the P&D Board, and other senior officials. The approved schemes included Punjab Smog Mitigation & Response Initiative – Air Safe at a cost of Rs5.381 billion, Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring System in Punjab (DLI-2), PGDP at a cost of Rs2.972 billion, Strengthening of Punjab Tianjin University of Technology (PTUT), Lahore (Revised) at a cost of Rs6.282 billion and Establishment of Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology, Dera Ghazi Khan (Revised) at a cost of Rs4.639 billion.

92 properties sealed over fee default

Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Friday sealed another 92 properties over illegal commercial buildings and defaulters of commercial fees.

According to a spokesman for the authority, under the instructions of LDA DG Tahir Farooq, LDA teams carried out operations in several key locations, including Gulberg, Faisal Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Gulshan Ravi, Samanabad, and the Canal Road area.

The operations resulted in the sealing of 35 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town, 27 in Allama Iqbal Town, and 30 in other areas, bringing the total to 92 properties.

The sealed properties include a range of commercial establishments such as private schools, offices, cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, cash-and-carry stores, clinics, salons, and other retail businesses. These properties were sealed due to illegal commercial activities, failure to pay commercial fees, and non-compliance with zoning regulations.The properties had been issued multiple notices before the operation, but no action was taken to address the violations.