Lahore, (PR) : The Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation (PJHF) is an autonomous body
working under the administrative control of the Information and
Culture Department in accordance with the Rules of Business,
Government of Punjab, 2011. The Foundation was established under the
Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation Act, 2004, with the primary
objective of providing quality residential facilities to the
journalist community on a no-profit, no-loss basis.
In line with the relevant laws and regulations, PJHF has launched
residential housing schemes in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. Under
the approved quota policy, residential plots were allotted to council
members of the respective press clubs, journalists associated with
electronic media, and employees of the Information and Culture
Department. Additionally, a new residential Block “F” was included in
the 2018 Lahore Housing Scheme, reflecting the Foundation’s expansion
strategy.
Continuing this initiative, PJHF, in collaboration with the Ravi Urban
Development Authority (RUDA), proposed the launch of the “PJHF Lahore
Press Club Housing Scheme (Phase-II)” during the meeting of the Board
of Directors held on January 6, 2025. The proposal was unanimously
approved by the Board. Under this project, RUDA will provide 250 acres
of land to PJHF, on which 3,200 residential plots of five marlas each
are planned. In return, PJHF will pay Rs. 400 million for the said
land.
Furthermore, during the 13th meeting of the Board of Directors held on
October 18, 2025, the Board considered applications submitted by two
senior journalists, Mr. Zaheeruddin Babar and Mr. Syed Aftab Ahmed,
who were unable to obtain possession of their originally allotted
plots. After due consideration, the Board approved the allotment of
alternate plots strictly in accordance with the applicable rules,
regulations, and policy.
Following the Board’s approval, alternate plots were allotted to both
journalists against their originally allotted plots. Prior to the
issuance of alternate allotment letters, their previous allotment
letters were formally taken back and cancelled, after which new
allotment letters were issued.
Similarly, in the 12th meeting of the Board of Directors, applications
from three senior journalists—Mr. Ahmed Javed Farooqi, Mr. Muhammad
Siddique Asghar, and Mr. Wasim Niaz were considered, as they were also
unable to obtain possession of their originally allotted plots. The
Board approved their requests in strict compliance with the law, and
alternate plots were subsequently allotted to all three journalists.
It is clarified that during the 12th and 13th meetings of the Board of
Directors, only the following five senior journalists, Mr. Ahmed Javed
Farooqi, Mr. Muhammad Siddique Asghar, Mr. Wasim Niaz, Mr. Zaheeruddin
Babar, and Mr. Syed Aftab Ahmed were allotted alternate plots under
the approved rules, regulations, and policy. No other journalist was
granted an alternate plot during these meetings.
Moreover, in all cases, the original allotment letters were duly
withdrawn and cancelled before the issuance of new alternate allotment
letters. All decisions were taken by the Board of Directors in
accordance with the approved policy.
The Board of Directors of PJHF, under its policy framework, retains
the authority to allot alternate plots to any allottee who is unable
to obtain possession of the originally allotted plot. The Board is
also empowered to consider and decide upon similar requests received
in the future in accordance with the applicable rules and policy.
Summary of Approved Alternate Allotments: During the 12th and 13th
meetings of the Board of Directors, alternate residential plots of 10
marlas each were approved and allotted to five senior journalists
against their cancelled original allotments. These include Mr.
Zaheeruddin Babar and Mr. Syed Aftab Ahmed in Block E, Mr. Ahmed Javed
Farooqi in Block D, and Mr. Muhammad Siddique Asghar and Mr. Wasim
Niaz in Block A. All allotments were made after cancellation of the
original plots and strictly in line with the approved legal and policy
framework.
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