TechLahore

Lahore's Pace Circle and Hyatt Regency Hotel... construction is proceeding rapidly

This post is the second in a series titled, “Pakistan Emerging”. The first post can be read here.

A few weeks ago we looked at Pakistan’s evolving situation as it relates to regional security and in context of its alliances with emerging powers. In other words, how the regional and external situation is propelling Pakistan in a very positive direction. In this second piece of the “Pakistan Emerging” series, I want to focus instead on things happening within Pakistan; projects, infrastructure, initiatives etc. that I believe are mere peeks into both the quality and quanta of development and change taking place in the country.

In a previous article, I addressed many aspects which I would have covered here had I not already written about them. For example, increasing rates of literacy, arresting population growth, macro economic situation etc. So before you go any further, if you are truly interested and haven’t read that earlier piece, you might want to take a look now.

Lahore's beautiful Allama Iqbal International Airport is being expanded

My work requires me to travel quite a lot, so I am frequently away from Pakistan. But every time I take that flight back, and land at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, I start to notice things that have changed since the last time I stood in the same spot. And that’s understandable, because one of the largest infrastructure projects currently in progress in Pakistan, Lahore’s 80km+ 6 lane circular highway, “The Ring Road”, is unfolding right outside the Airport. Once you start driving away from the airport, you notice billboards for “Broadway” and “Lake City”, just two of a large number of ultra-modern residential and commercial developments being undertaken in Lahore. And it’s not just a few homes or a few buildings, these projects are massive. Lake City alone will be home to 100,000 people and if you look at some of the images I’m including in this article, you’ll get a sense for how these massive and extremely well-thought out communities are changing the shape of Pakistan’s cities.

Lahore's Ring Road is a remarkable and massive project

And it’s not just Lahore where this is happening. You only have to see the UAE real estate giant Emaar’s projects outside Islamabad, or the German Meinhardt Group’s developments in Karachi to get a sense for the scale and concurrent change taking place across the length and breadth of the country.

Lahore: The cultural hub of Pakistan… and a fast-emerging world metropolis!

Lahore's Defence Raaya layout

Glimpses of the emerging Lahore of tomorrow can be seen today when you drive through one of the many new urban areas under development. Lake City is one of these, an immaculately planned 2,104 acre new development on the outskirts of Lahore. The first houses in Lake City have already been completed,  but eventually there will be almost 4,000 residences, hundreds of shops, malls and dozens of office buildings. Lake City has a giant lake at its center, with ‘arms’ extending throughout the development, as well as an artificial beach. A PGA 18 hole golf course is included in the development also, with a 5-star hotel and adjoining club for residents.

The construction so far, in Lahore DHA's Defence Raya

And Lake City by no means is the only such development. Lahore’s area has more than doubled in the last 10-15 years. The giant new Defence Housing Authority (DHA) developments, for example, are of similar quality. Defence Raaya, a small part of the overall DHA initiative, is a 400 acre development also built around a new Golf Course. The quality of the build-out starts from the infrastructure; underground wiring, excellent roads, grid layout, green belts and extends to the homes themselves. Amongst DHA’s other projects is the Broadway and Hydra Group’s Times Square. These projects each involve dozens of skyscrapers and other buildings which will forever transform Lahore’s skyline in just a few short years.

The progress so far at Lahore's Lake City... many homes are now ready for move-ins!

Lahore has long been the proud home of several leading hotels, including the evergreen Pearl Continental, the Hilton/Avari, Holiday Inn and others. But the number of 4+ star rooms available in the provincial capital will soon more than double. Two new Hyatt projects are being built, while a new Hotel Intercontinental is likely to be launched in partnership with Lahore’s breathtaking Royal Palm Golf and Country Club (RPGCC). Pearl Continental’s new Hotel One is also a new entrant into the market, followed by the Pearl Continental’s (Mall Road) own expansion.

Lahore's Royal Palm Club is the finest Club in South Asia

Lahore is an ancient city and belongs to an era when transport was on foot, by horse – or if you were a royal – by elephant! And expanding the road network in a large, living city like Lahore is not without its challenges. However, during the last few years there has been a massive effort to make signal free corridors and new highways. Lahore’s multi-billion dollar Ring Road project alone will add over 80KM of

A massive archway at the entrance of the grand Mall of Lahore

circular highway around the city, connecting all parts of it via a 6-lane freeway. Other projects intended to expand Lahore’s roads and highways include the conversion of Multan Road into a wide highway (in progress) and the expansion of Ferozepur road into a Lahore-Kasur highway. Of course, the M2, linking Lahore to Islamabad remains one of Pakistan’s major highways and access to it has now been significantly eased with the construction of the Thokar Niaz Beg flyover and various underpasses on the Canal Road. The Canal, in itself, has been enhanced with two new underpasses and a major overpass recently completed at Mughalpura and Harbanspura.In terms of commercial development, Lahore has seen numerous upgrades, for example, the Punjab IT Board’s Software Park Tower, a state-of-the-art skyscraper that will act as a high-tech incubator and office space for tech companies. Under construction for the past few years, the Lahore Convention Center is also about to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister within the next few weeks. This large facility will include a skyscraper and numerous other structures, but at the heart of it will be a giant convention center which will host international conferences, trade shows and other activities.

A shopping mall in Lahore

Shopping in Lahore has also undergone a transformation. Where previously the corner store was standard fare, mega stores like Makro, Hyperstar (Carrefour) and Metro provide a new option. These giant megastores are creating jobs for thousands and allowing Lahore’s denizens to shop smart and save… not to mention the shopping experience has been significantly improved. In addition to these megastores, fashionable malls such as the recently opened “Mall of Lahore” and the upcoming Mall 99 and Pace Circle near Allama Iqbal International, are becoming incredibly popular.

Industrial development at the outskirts of the city cannot be overlooked if one talks about the evolution of the city. The new Sundar Industrial estate was one of the key accomplishments of the past government and new industries continue to come online there. This project alone will add tens of thousands of jobs for the denizens of greater Lahore.

Lahore's jewel, the lovely tree lined canal that runs through the city, is being made even more beautiful

Lahore is being reshaped not just by beautiful new buildings and luxurious new hotels and malls. There is a “greener” change afoot… The Punjab government is developing the area around the new Ring Road as a green belt and has also already started the implementation of the Canal revival project. As part of this effort, the PHA (Punjab Horticultural Authority) is leveling both banks of the Canal that runs through the city, and planting flowers, shrubs and other plants. Completely lined, as it is, on both sides with Weeping Willows, Eucalyptus and numerous other trees, the Canal is only getting greener and more beautiful. Numerous other parks are also being upgraded and restored. Just in the Lahore Cantt area alone, over the last few years, parks have been completely transformed. The beautiful new Park next to “Girja Chowk”, or Cathedral Square is just one example. Another one is the exemplary park right next to the Cavalry Grounds Polo field.

Lahore's Software Park Tower - the inset shows current progress

So how are these changes impacting Lahore? Well, the’re undoubtedly improving the quality of life of Lahore’s citizens by easing transportation, adding numerous sources of entertainment while making the city greener and more friendly. They are also creating thousands of jobs in manufacturing, retail and services, while making Lahore a far more tourist-friendly metropolis. The Lahore of tomorrow retains the  history, wonder and charm it has always had, while adding to these timeless qualities, innovation, convenience, modernity and most of all, a dynamic, unrelenting positive energy that has an exclusively Lahori flavour!

In future episodes of the Pakistan Emerging series, I’ll take a look at the Islamabad and Karachi of tomorrow.