On January 23, the Board of Governors of the Journalists Housing Foundation approved the master plan for Journalists Colony Phase II during its 14th meeting, chaired by Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari. The meeting reviewed progress on the housing scheme and confirmed that key components of the project are nearing completion.
The meeting saw contributions from key figures, including the Secretary of Information, Punjab, Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, and President of the Lahore Press Club, Arshad Ansari, among others. During the discussions, it was disclosed that the housing scheme will feature amenities such as schools, wide roads, commercial areas, and parks. The initiative has moved forward with Rs. 400 million already allocated to RUDA, and the land acquisition process is nearing completion under Section 4 regulations.
Bokhari highlighted that 3,200 five-marla plots are set to be distributed among journalists. She emphasised the commitment of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to the welfare of journalists, announcing that the Chief Minister will personally hand over the allotment letters in February.
The information minister expressed concern over the negative propaganda by certain political elements against the housing project and firmly stated that such actions would not be tolerated. She praised the cooperation from the Lahore Press Club and noted that significant progress had been made with 1,400 journalists and 635 employees of the Punjab Information Department having already paid their development charges.
Moreover, Bokhari addressed criticisms of the project, urging detractors to appreciate the efforts rather than politicising the initiative. She reassured that the distribution of plots is a direct commitment from the Chief Minister and encouraged a positive outlook towards the completion and distribution phase.
The meeting also touched on administrative matters, decided to postpone discussions on journalist housing schemes in Rawalpindi and Multan until the next meeting, and confirmed the adoption of the LDA commercial plan for the Lahore Journalists Colony. It was mandated that all press clubs must conduct their elections between December and January.
