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Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt aims for 'dust-free Lahore'
As Lahore continues to struggle with a deteriorating air quality, the Punjab government has launched an initiative aimed at transforming the metropolis into Pakistan's first 'dust-free city'. The plan comes at a time when the city's air pollution remains a significant public health concern. On Wednesday, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 149, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with PM2.5 concentration reaching 55 micrograms per cubic metre, far exceeding safe limits. The worsening pollution levels, attributed to a mix of construction activity, vehicular emissions, industrial output, and seasonal factors, have prompted the authorities to act. Punjab Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Noorul Amin Mengal visited the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) headquarters to review ongoing and upcoming urban development projects. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq briefed him on environmental reforms being integrated into project planning and execution. One of the key steps announced was the tightening of construction-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) to reduce airborne dust and pollution generated from infrastructure work. A uniform development standard will be introduced across all government departments to improve sustainability, visual coherence, and regulatory enforcement in urban planning. The meeting participants were told that the government also intends to legislate design guidelines for commercial property facades in a bid to reduce visual pollution and restore architectural harmony in the city. In a parallel development, a wrap-up meeting was held with the World Bank's Implementation Mission for the Punjab Clean Air Programme, which was led by Transport Task Team Leader Shyam Srinivasan.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi uplift plan okayed
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given in-principle approval to the Rawalpindi Development Plan, prioritising upgrades to the city's water supply and sewerage systems. The Water and Sanitation Agency's (WASA) managing director has been instructed to immediately prepare PC-1s for all proposed schemes. This directive was issued during a joint meeting on Monday, chaired by the Punjab Secretary for Urban Development and Public Health Engineering, Noorul Amin Mengal. Officials from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), WASA, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), and Public Health Engineering attended the session. The secretary emphasised the need for swift monsoon preparations and urged the early completion of the feasibility study for sourcing water from Daducha Dam to ensure a sustainable supply for Rawalpindi. He proposed building ground storage tanks in parks, following the Lahore model, to store rainwater for horticultural use, stressing that "every drop of water must be saved." The secretary housing praised WASA for exceeding its revenue recovery target, collecting Rs2.6 billion against the assigned Rs2.3 billion, and called for an even higher target in the upcoming fiscal year. WASA Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, shared that a comprehensive monsoon plan is already in place, including the expedited cleaning of 15 city drains and Nullah Leh. Staff training and sewer line maintenance have been completed, and five monsoon camps will be operational, backed by a central control room at WASA Headquarters. To ensure an uninterrupted water supply during summer, 20 new tube wells are being installed, and additional intake from Rawal and Khanpur dams has been secured. Ongoing dam projects will soon add 12 MGD from Chahan Dam, 5 MGD from Rawal Dam, and 8 MGD from Khanpur Dam. The feasibility for the Daducha Dam, expected to provide 35 MGD, is set to conclude within two months. During the meeting, the RDA director general gave progress updates on major projects, including the Ring Road and Nullah Leh schemes, which were highlighted for timely and transparent completion. PHA Director General, Ahmad Hassan Ranjha, also briefed the participants on citywide park beautification efforts.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Quality assurance panels to monitor projects
WASA workers pump out rainwater accumulated at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE The Punjab Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department has established Quality Assurance Committees in all key subordinate agencies and development authorities across the province. Official sources confirmed that these committees will operate within Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs), Parks and Horticulture Authorities, and Development Authorities. Their primary mandate is to monitor project execution, verify adherence to technical standards, and provide consistent feedback to improve ongoing and future development schemes. Each committee will include departmental engineers, quality control officers, and administrative staff to ensure a comprehensive review of project implementation. Reports from these committees will be regularly submitted to the Housing Department's central monitoring cell for oversight and any required corrective actions. This quality control initiative follows the earlier creation of a high-level Search Committee tasked with ensuring merit-based recruitment of top positions, such as Directors General, Managing Directors, and Chief Engineers. Chaired by Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, the committee evaluates service records and seniority to ensure that appointments reflect capability and integrity. Additionally, the department has established an Internal Accountability Board, operating under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act. This board will investigate complaints of corruption and misconduct within the department and its subsidiaries, enforces internal discipline, audits compliance, and advises on policy reforms. Commenting on the department's multi-layered reforms, Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal said: "The Quality Assurance Committees are another critical step toward institutionalising excellence in public service. When combined with the Search Committee and Internal Accountability Board, we are creating a governance model rooted in merit, integrity, and public trust." He stressed the importance of responsible use of public funds, noting that billions of rupees are invested annually in housing and sanitation projects.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Water, sanitation network expanded to 10 cities
In a move to improve clean drinking water and sewerage services across Punjab, the Housing Department has approved the establishment of 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) in various cities. These include Hafizabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Jhelum, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan. The relevant authorities have been instructed to appoint managing directors for the newly proposed agencies. The announcement came during an emergency visit by Punjab Secretary for Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Noorul Amin Mengal to the WASA headquarters in Faisalabad. He chaired a high-level meeting attended by FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, WASA Managing Director Aamir Aziz, DG PHA Dilawar Khan, and other officials, where an extensive review of ongoing development schemes, sewerage improvements, and clean water supply projects was conducted. Mengal emphasised the Punjab chief minister's personal commitment to ensuring the availability of clean drinking water and modern sewerage infrastructure for the public. He said projects worth Rs150 billion are currently being executed under WASA's supervision and assured that their progress and quality will be closely monitored by the department. To ensure transparency and high standards, Quality Assurance Committees are being formed and special monitoring cells will oversee the technical aspects of all ongoing projects. Mengal issued directives to prioritise public convenience during development work by avoiding unnecessary excavations and ensuring prompt restoration of affected areas to minimise disruption to daily life. The housing secretary made it clear that negligence, malpractice, or delays in project execution will not be tolerated and that strict departmental action will be taken against those found responsible.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Eid remission brings freedom to 270 inmates
The Punjab government has announced a 90-day remission for prisoners across the province as part of Eidul Azha celebration. Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal issued the notification in this regard on Thursday. According to the home department, the remission under Rule 216 of the Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978 will benefit 450 inmates, of whom around 270 are expected to be released to celebrate the Eid with their families. The department highlighted that several deserving prisoners were being released due to the payment of fines by philanthropists and for demonstrating good behaviour.
