LAHORE: The government on Tuesday removed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) vice chairman Naeemul Haq from the office and replaced him with Punjab senior minister Aslam Iqbal, who also holds portfolios of housing, urban development and public health engineering, besides industry and commerce departments.

Sources say the objections allegedly raised by the outgoing vice chairman to the proposed master plan for Lahore division, were a major reason behind his removal. However, Mr Haq dispelsthe impression, saying he is being given another `important assignment` soon by PTI chairman Imran Khan.

`It is the decision of my chairman Imran Khan. And I accept it,` he told Dawn, adding: `I am also being given an important assignment soon. But, I cannot disclose the details right now.

About his objections to the proposed master plan, he says he was not alone and all members of the LDA governing body gave their opinion on the master plan. `But, this is not the reason behind this development,` he insists.

According to a notification issued on Tuesday, senior minister Aslam Iqbal has been appointed as new LDAvice chairman. `Consequent upon approval of the standing committee of the cabinet on legislative business in its 4th meeting held on Sept 1, the government is pleased to nominate Mian Aslam Iqbal, MPA (PP-151) / Minister for Housing, HUD & PHED as member of the LDA (governing body) under section 4(3)(b) read with section 4(4) of the LDA Act-1975. He is further designated as VC of the LDA under section 4-A(1) of the Act ibid in place of Mr Naeemul Haq,` reads the notification.

Sources say that after getting the LDA slot, Mr Iqbal has become the only PTI leader in Punjab holding four positions simultaneously.

`He (Mr Iqbal) has also held a couple of open courts at the LDA headquarters.

He will soon hold another on September 8,` a source says.

OPERATIONS: Pakistan Railways (PR)Police claimed on Tuesday to have retrieved 144.057 acres of land worth over Rs5.222 billion from the illegal occupants from January to August 2022.

According to the PR police inspector general (IG), apart from this, 74 railway quarters and 391 shops were also got vacated from defaulters and illegal occupants.

`The [anti-encroachment] operations will continue till the retrieval of every single patch of railways land,` added the Railways IG Rao Sardar Ali Khan in a statement.

Giving detail, he said the land (commercial, residential, agricultural) retrieved included 15.963 acres worth over 1.210 billion, 24.42 acres worth 1.4 billion, 29.27 acres worth 926.129 million, 18.525 acres worth 202.388 million, 28.183 acres worth Rs316.970 million and 27.691 acres worth 1.166 billion.