he government has started realising that rules and procedures related to sale, purchase, registration and transfer of land are complicated and need to be simplified through making it a one-window operation for the public and overseas investors.

The issue came to the fore at a meeting last week between a three-member World Bank team and City District Government of Lahore`s (CDGL`s) officials.

World Bank representatives called Lahore a good place for real estate trade for foreign firmsand individuals. They discussed rules pertaining to the trade of land and its transfer from name one to another.

Under the exiting procedures, both sellers and buyers have to endure a lengthy patwari-dominated procedure in the areas controlled by city district governments and district governments.

Similarly the areas controlled by the development authorities such as the Lahore Development Authority in Lahore, legal proceduresregardingsaleandpurchase of land are also very complicated.

`The meeting participants discussed foreigners` interest in investment in various sectors inPunjab, mainly in Lahore, CDGL Finance Executive District Officer Tariq Manzoor Chandio told Dawn. He said the Lahore district coordination officer assured the delegation of simplifying the procedures for foreign business firms and individuals.

`We informed the delegation that we had completed 50 percent of the land record computerisation in Lahore and the remaining was likely to be completed in a year or so. If foreign investors want to invest in land business in Lahore, the CDGL would simplify procedures for them,` the EDO explained. He said the WB delegation sought updated informa-tion on CDGL`s website and social media pages to facilitate the investors. On a suggestion by the delegation, the CDGL also planned to develop a database through a spatialplanning.

Last week, the Lahore Division Cattle Market Management Company decided to engage students of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, the University of Engineering and Technology and the University of Veterinary and Animal Health Sciences in research projects related the cattlemarkets expansion, innovation and promotion of livestock in Lahore. `The objective behind this understanding is to avoid huge costscharged byconsultantsinpreparing projects,` says Managing Director Dr Ehtashamul Haq.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture-Pakistan and the US Mission have celebrated the signing of a cooperative agreement supporting the conservation of the Wazir Khan Chowk, a centerpiece of Lahore`s historic Walled City.

A grant of $1.1 million underthe US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation will be used to reclaim the chowk`s historic urban square to create a shared community space.

The project includes restoring the eastern façade and hujras of the Wazir Khan Mosque, conserving a historical house, and preserving Dina Nath`s Well within the chowk.

US Consul General Zachary Harkenrider said, `We are honoured to contribute to the conservation of the 17th century Chowk Wazir Khan. Aga Khan Trust has done excellent work in the Walled City and we are pleased to support their efforts.

(khalidpak284@yahoo.com)