New body planned to protect forests

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique emphasized the need to protect forests and agricultural lands as a vital step in mitigating climate change impacts.

The announcement came during a meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Friday, where Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian and Special Secretary Arshad Baig joined discussions on the establishment of the Punjab Spatial Planning Authority (PSPA).

The proposed PSPA aims to regulate commercial use of agricultural lands and ensure sustainable development across Punjab.

The Project Management Unit provided a briefing on PSPA's functions, explaining its role in monitoring land use across all districts. Minister Zeeshan Rafique noted, "The PSPA's No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be mandatory for development project approvals, helping preserve essential agricultural lands around urban areas."

Minister Rafique expressed concern over the rapid conversion of agricultural land for commercial use, which, without master planning, can lead to infrastructural and environmental issues.

He highlighted the Punjab government's introduction of a Planning Support System (PSS) designed to resolve urban planning challenges, creating balanced residential, health, education, IT, and economic zones.

"The chief minister's priority is to provide quality residential facilities, and PSPA will play a pivotal role in achieving this vision," Rafique added.