LAHORE: The divisional administration on Monday sought a uniform policy and mechanism for Lahore’s urban planning, management and regulation of the public and private sector housing schemes and projects.

“We must streamline town planning and urban management that is a need of hour to devise a central mechanism for whole Lahore city. In this way, we can tackle all urban issues and problems faced by the provincial capital,” Lahore Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Piracha said while presiding over a meeting here.

He said the issuance of the no objection certificate (NOC) for any development scheme and restoration and maintenance of work after digging must be streamlined to address various issues. The issuance of NOC should be done by a central committee comprising of all the agencies to keep all schemes according to the standards.

“The geographical and jurisdictional limits should also be very clear to every agency,” Dr Piracha added.

Lahore Mayor retired Col Mubashar Javed and representatives of Urban Unit, City Admin, Punjab Safe City Authority, PHA, SNGPL, Lesco, LDA and traffic police attended the meeting.

LDA: A grand concert of national songs will be held in National Hockey Stadium under the auspices of local traders on the Independence Day wherein famous and popular singers will perform. A bank booth will be established near the venue for voluntarily depositing donations for the CJP Dam Fund.

These decisions were taken during a meeting held here on Monday to review the arrangements for Independence Day celebrations. The meeting presided over by LDA DG Amina Imran Khan further decided to hold the fireworks at midnight between the 13th and 14th of August. Main flag hoisting ceremony will be held at Hazoori Bagh near the Lahore Fort where school children will also sing national songs.

Published in Dawn, August 07th, 2018