Lahore to Become Pakistan’s First Dust-Free City

A detailed initiative has been launched to transform Lahore into Pakistan’s first “dust-free city.” As part of this campaign, regulations for construction activities will be made more stringent to control environmental impact.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, visited the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) headquarters, where LDA Director General Tahir Farooq briefed him on ongoing and proposed development projects.

Mengal emphasized that all departments involved in development work must adhere to uniform standards. He also noted that new legislation would be introduced to regulate the external designs of commercial properties. Environmental sustainability, he said, would be prioritized in all urban development efforts.

Mengal added that applying uniform standards to development projects would improve sustainability and management. He criticized the lack of coordination in the city’s commercial infrastructure, noting that poorly designed and mismatched commercial buildings diminish Lahore’s aesthetic appeal. He called for a unified strategy to ensure sustainable and organized urban growth, where all departments follow consistent development protocols.

During the briefing, the LDA DG shared progress updates, noting that property records have been digitized and building plans can now be approved online. He also revealed that for the first time, revenue generation has crossed Rs. 25 billion, and 990 kanals of land — worth billions — have been recovered. LDA-controlled areas are now being monitored through a digital monitoring unit.

Additionally, representatives from NESPAK presented the proposed plan for the Yellow Line Bus Service during the meeting.