PML-N accuses Gujrat police of political victimisation after rally FIR

Lahore’s old city is going through a major change under a heritage revival plan, and the project has now been placed directly under the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-(N) leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. According to a recent notification issued by the Punjab government’s Local Government and Community Development Department, Nawaz Sharif has been made chairman of the newly formed board of the Lahore Heritage Area Revival project, also known as (LHAR) and patron-in-chief of the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority (PWCHAA) Earlier, Nawaz Sharif only held the position of chief patron of the project. This meant he could give advice but had no formal powers. Under the new rules, the project’s legal structure has been changed, and a proper board has been formed. This board is now headed directly by the three-time former prime minister. The notification was published in the Punjab Gazette on July 23. It was issued under Section 8-A of the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority Act 2012. The notification was approved by the governor of Punjab. With this change, the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board has been formally established. The board now has full executive and administrative powers. Officials say this step was taken to remove bureaucratic delays in restoring the city’s historic fabric. The heritage revival areas cover Mughal, Sikh and colonial-era sites. Details of the ongoing work will be shared soon. Several government departments are working together on the project. These include the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency, known as TEPA, C&W and PWCHAA. TEPA is handling infrastructure work, such as building basements and parking. The PWCHAA is handling the restoration of old buildings. A major part of the plan is to turn old city streets into pedestrian zones. This includes the route from New Anarkali to Paan Gali in Lohari. It also includes Bora Bazaar, which has Bakshi Market inside it. Another walking route will run from Kacheri Chowk to Anarkali and then onward to Neela Gumbad. To name a few. Many buildings along these routes are old. All of them are being restored as part of the project. One of the biggest parts of the plan is a new public space called Neela Gumbad Square, where a two-floor underground parking garage is being built; it will become a place for families to walk and gather. Fountains and seating areas will be added. The Parks and Horticulture Authority will help plant trees and grass in the area. Other nearby heritage sites are also being restored. These include Ewing Hall and the first Bank of India building. The mosque near Neela Gumbad is also being renovated, while some roads nearby will be closed for traffic. LHAR spokesperson also responded to earlier criticism in media reports, where past reports only mentioned TEPA, even though other departments were also doing important work on the ground. The project now has a monitoring cell in place to track progress and check timely completion. The spokesperson further said that shopkeepers near Neela Gumbad were paid compensation a year before their shops were relocated. The officials had collected data on each shop’s daily business and income before deciding how much compensation to give; this was done so shopkeepers would not lose their livelihood during construction. With Nawaz Sharif now in the driving seat and his past records of completing mega projects on time, officials believe the project will move forward faster. The government says the goal is to restore Lahore’s historic buildings and streets while creating new public spaces for residents and visitors.

Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Aalia Neelum has taken a major step to expedite the trials of accused persons who have remained in custody for more than three years, directing that their cases be decided within two months. On the directions of Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, letters have been issued to the Sessions Judges of 28 districts across Punjab, directing them to ensure the speedy disposal of cases involving under-trial prisoners who have been in detention for more than three years. The Sessions Judges have been instructed to place such cases on a fast-track basis and hear them on a priority basis so that decisions are delivered within the stipulated period of two months. The Chief Justice directed that all Sessions Judges in Punjab would be bound to ensure the disposal of these cases within the prescribed timeframe. The district judiciary has also been directed to accelerate proceedings in cases involving long-incarcerated under-trial accused and avoid unnecessary adjournments that could further prolong their detention. The Lahore High Court has also sought implementation reports regarding cases in which accused persons have remained behind bars for more than three years, in order to monitor progress and ensure compliance with the directions. The initiative aims to facilitate the timely provision of justice to prisoners whose trials have remained pending for prolonged periods. The directions are also intended to address unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings and reduce the backlog of long-pending cases. The Chief Justice’s directive underscores the need for the district judiciary to prioritize cases involving under-trial prisoners and ensure that prolonged detention does not continue merely because of delays in the disposal of their trials. The Sessions Courts across Punjab have accordingly been asked to take immediate measures to speed up proceedings and submit reports regarding compliance with the Lahore High Court’s directions.