Latest news with #Noor-ul-AminMengal


Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Two water projects worth over Rs70bn to be launched in Faisalabad
LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched two mega water infrastructure projects in Faisalabad worth over Rs 70 billion. Punjab Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal chaired a meeting. On this occasion, WASA Faisalabad MD Sohail Qadir Cheema gave a detailed briefing on the projects, disclosed a department spokesperson on Monday. According to the briefing, two major water infrastructure projects - a surface water treatment plant and a wastewater treatment plant - are being launched in Faisalabad to improve access to clean water. The first project will cost Rs 14.6 billion while the second one will cost over Rs 56 billion; international donor agencies will fund these projects. The surface water treatment plant is scheduled for completion by June 2027, and the wastewater treatment plant will be completed by July 2028. While addressing the meeting, the Secretary stated that once completed, these plants will treat a total of 63 million gallons of water per day, benefiting more than 700,000 residents in the eastern parts of Faisalabad. He added that over 56,000 households will receive access to safe drinking water through these efforts. 'The treated wastewater will be made suitable for agricultural use, contributing to resource conservation and environmental sustainability,' he added. Mengal also shared that in future, a total of three wastewater treatment plants were planned for Faisalabad to meet the city's growing population and urban needs. 'Under the directives of Chief Minister Punjab, we are ensuring the smart and efficient use of public resources to provide equal and high-quality urban services across all regions,' he emphasised. Meanwhile, in a separate meeting, the Secretary reviewed the progress made on the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' programme. On this occasion, he said over 8,000 families have already completed construction of their homes, while more than 35,000 families have received second loan installments for the construction. He added that the government aims at facilitating the construction of over 100,000 homes annually under this flagship initiative. Mengal further revealed that the programme has received more than 1.5 million applications to date, a clear reflection of public confidence and overwhelming interest. 'To ensure convenience, the entire application process has been made online,' he added. According to him, under the people-first vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' programme is transforming the dream of homeownership into reality for thousands of low-income families across the province. This programme has not only eased the financial burden of renting for many but also empowered families to build homes of their own. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
6 days ago
- General
- Business Recorder
Private societies urged to maintain sewage systems
LAHORE: To ensure urban resilience and citizen safety during the ongoing monsoon season, the Punjab Housing Department has directed all private housing societies across the province to maintain effective drainage and sewage systems. According to the department on Wednesday, Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal issued directives to all district development authorities and relevant agencies to ensure strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to the instructions, private housing societies must take responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of their sewage and drainage networks. The authorities have been instructed to ensure the availability of necessary machinery to respond promptly in the event of flooding or water accumulation. He further directed that efficient waste management systems must be implemented, and appropriate flood preparedness plans must be in place to deal with urban flooding scenarios. 'It has been observed that the absence of effective strategies during heavy rains causes inconvenience to residents of many private housing societies,' he added. 'This decision, taken under the leadership of the Punjab Chief Minister, aims to prevent such challenges in the future. All relevant departments have been instructed to communicate these measures to the managements of private housing societies and ensure implementation without delay.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Lahore, Pindi & Faisalabad: Punjab govt approves 4 major schemes worth Rs1.755bn
LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved four major development schemes for Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad with an estimated cost of Rs 1.755 billion. The approved projects include a 6.3-kilometre dual carriageway in Lahore from Gawala Colony, Gulshan-e-Ahbab to Kahna Flyover, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the area, disclosed the Punjab Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Department on Monday. In Rawalpindi, the government has sanctioned the upgradation of a public park on Adiala Road, enhancing recreational facilities for the citizens. Moreover, Faisalabad will see two separate development projects: the first involves the construction of sewerage and roads in Chak No. 199-RB, Fakhraabad and adjoining localities; and the second is the establishment of a Project Management Unit (PMU) for the expansion of the city's water resources, addressing the growing urban needs. In this connection, Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal formally issued directives to the relevant departments and district administrations for the release of funds and swift execution of the schemes. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Arab News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Punjab to track listed extremists with GPS devices amid rising militant violence in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Amid an uptick in militant attacks in Pakistan, authorities in Punjab have approved the use of electronic tracking devices to monitor individuals listed under the country's Fourth Schedule as security risks, the provincial home department said on Thursday. The Fourth Schedule of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act includes the names of individuals suspected of involvement in militant or sectarian violence. Those placed on the list are subjected to intense scrutiny and movement restrictions. Under the new policy, GPS-enabled tracking bands will be attached to these individuals, allowing round-the-clock monitoring of their movements. 'This is a major decision aimed at enhancing surveillance using globally recognized practices,' the Punjab Home Department said in a statement, adding that new devices equipped with advanced micro-tracking chips would also be imported. The devices will be distributed among the province's key security agencies, including the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Crime Control Department and the Parole Department. According to the statement, a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal approved the deployment of 1,500 tracking devices in the first phase. Of these, 900 will be allocated to the CTD, 500 to the Crime Control Department and 100 to the Parole Department. The decision follows expert recommendations advocating continuous surveillance of high-risk individuals and the adoption of internationally accepted tools for law enforcement and counterterrorism. The development comes amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan. While such violence has largely remained confined to the two western provinces bordering Afghanistan, Punjab, the country's most populous region, also remains vulnerable, with militants in the past targeting cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi.