Journalists colony Ferozepur road project moves forward

The developments were shared during a meeting at the Lahore Press Club chaired by President Arshad Ansari and attended by office-bearers and members

LAHORE: The long-awaited Journalists Colony project on Ferozepur Road has entered a new phase, with the Lahore Press Club announcing progress on possession, plot allotments, development arrangements and financial support from the Punjab Government.

The developments were shared during a meeting at the Lahore Press Club chaired by President Arshad Ansari and attended by office-bearers and members of the governing body. The leadership briefed participants on the latest status of the housing project and measures being taken to move the scheme towards implementation.

President Arshad Ansari said the project had received the required approvals from the Punjab Information Commission and the President of Pakistan in February 2025. He said Honorary Secretary Dr. Yousuf Ejaz subsequently completed the documentation and signed the relevant agreement.

According to Ansari, a deposit number was issued on August 22, 2026, following directions from the Prime Minister’s Office. He said work on members’ plots would commence after completion of the verification process and assured members that the payment process would remain protected.

The Press Club president further stated that discussions held with senior government officials on July 24 had resulted in assurances of cooperation and financial assistance for development of the colony. He said the Chief Minister had approved the financial arrangements for the development work and clarified that the land belongs to the Punjab Government.

The leadership also outlined the financial mechanism for members. The previously collected amount of Rs62,500 per plot will be adjusted against the allotment, while members who have deposited 30 percent of the required amount have already been assigned plot numbers. Those who have paid 50 percent in advance will be eligible for possession and permission to begin construction, according to the Press Club.

Ansari said the new site has now been taken into possession and that a water-supply project has also been initiated near Alhamd in Kheewada. Files for five- and five-marla plots in the first and second phases are being issued, after which payment books and instalment arrangements will follow.

The Press Club leadership also referred to a statement by Provincial Minister Tahir Raza Bukhari regarding the transfer of administrative authority and the Punjab Government’s arrangements concerning lease payments for the project land.

The meeting also addressed a proposed amendment to Clause 3 of the Lahore Press Club Constitution, which restricts members from contesting certain special-term elections. Finance Secretary Dr. Saeeda Bukhari argued that the provision should be reviewed in light of fundamental rights and called for its removal through a constitutional amendment. The proposal received unanimous support from the members present.

Responding to concerns and rumours surrounding the project, President Arshad Ansari rejected what he described as misinformation and maintained that the process was being handled in coordination with the Punjab Government, Ministry of Information and other relevant institutions.

He said the housing initiative for journalists remained a government responsibility and urged members not to be concerned, adding that the scrutiny process had been completed and work was progressing.

General Secretary Afzal Talib said a committee had also been constituted for the current Ferozepur Road project, while further details regarding willing changes of houses and new membership would be announced at a later stage.

The meeting was attended by senior office-bearers, governing body members and other representatives of the Lahore Press Club.