LAHORE: The federal government has decided to introduce structural reforms in the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)—a vital department regulating the affairs of evacuee properties, constituting a committee to give recommendations in this regard.

The decision aims to improve the department’s performance, end corruption and digitise the record, etc.

“The reforms are necessary, as the ETPB requires such initiatives with immediate effect. It is being done on the orders of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” a Lahore-based source in the ETPB told Dawn on Sunday.

According to documents, the prime minister has constituted a committee headed by the minister for law and justice to undertake performance appraisal of the operations and business processes of the ETPB and to suggest a roadmap for its structural revamp and reforms, including but not limited to changes in governance and legal framework, if required.

Following the decision, the religious affairs ministry has nominated the ETPB secretary as the focal person to provide all documents and related information and facilitate the committee as and when required.

PM constitutes committee to give recommendations

“He [secretary] may be directed to prepare a working paper incorporating draft service regulations, joint venture projects and amendments recently introduced in the schemes for the preliminary meeting,” reads a letter. Meanwhile, a meeting has also been called for August 5 at the law and justice division in Islamabad in this regard.

On the other hand, the ETPB employees under the banner of the Pakistan National Employees Union have decided to hold a pen-down strike at the ETPB offices in Lahore on Monday (Today) against the administration for not increasing their salaries despite the raise announced in the federal budget. “The ETPB chairman has not yet allowed the raise for the employees as he says it could not be done till the constitution of the new board, which is yet to be completed,” an insider told this reporter. He said that giving no raise is unjustified since the chairman can take this decision on his own in the light of the federal budget.

PHA: In line with the Punjab government directions, the Parks and Horticulture Authority has declared all public parks across the city as No-Smoking Zones, beginning effective enforcement of the rule.

“No Smoking” signboards are being installed at the entry and exit points, as well as in various areas of the parks. The aim is to raise public awareness and send a strong message against tobacco use, according to PHA Director General Mansoor Ahmad.

A few days ago, the housing department officially declared all parks across the province as no-smoking areas. “The smoking in parks is a punishable offense under the Prohibition of Smoking Ordinance, 2002. In case of any violation, the individual will be handed over to the police on the spot and legal action will be taken,” warned the DG in a statement on Sunday.

He appealed to people to refrain from smoking in parks and cooperate with the PHA in maintaining a clean, healthy and pleasant environment for all.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025