LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 3rd Sep, 2026) Integrated and sustainable urban and regional planning is indispensable to address Pakistan’s growing transportation challenges, improve mobility and create cities that support economic growth, investment and a better quality of life.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol stated this while chairing an international seminar on “The General Situation of Transportation, Urban & Regional Planning in Pakistan and a Sustainable Way Forward,” jointly organized by the Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) and LCCI here on Thursday.
IPP President Umar Farooq was also present on the occasion. International speakers included Healah Darman, International Vice President, ITE 2026 and International President-elect for 2027, USA Robert G. Schiffer, AICP, President of Plan-Plan Consulting, USA and President-elect, Institute of Transportation Engineers District 6 Dennis J. Smith, FACIP, Planner-in-Residence, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University, and E. Khong Kie Max, Founder and Principal Consultant, SC&M Group, Singapore joined via zoom while National speakers included MPA Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, LDA, Faisal Masood, Chief Metropolitan Planner, LDA, Dr. Obaidullah Nadeem, Professor and Chairman, Department of City and Regional Planning, UET Lahore, Dr. Shabin-ul-Hassan Zaidi, Dean, Architecture & Planning and former Chair, CRP Department, UET; Dr. Muhammad Nadeem, Chair, Department of City and Regional Planning, UMT Lahore; Dr. Fariha Tariq, Dean, University of Management and Technology, Lahore; Engr. Aslam Qazi, Team Leader, NESPAK Lahore; Plnr. Zafar-ul-Haq, Senior Urban & Regional Planning Expert; Arch. Zaeem Jawed Raja, Managing Director, Principles Architects; Plnr. Muhammad Masud Nawaz; Arch. Maria Niazi, Senior Architect, NESPAK Lahore; Engr. Wajahat Ahmad, Senior Transport Planner & Traffic Engineer, NESPAK Lahore; Samiullah Ashfaq, Public Sector Professional, Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority; and Engr. Jamshed Mehmood, Mobility Expert also participated as speakers.
The LCCI President said that rapid urbanization was placing increasing pressure on Pakistan’s cities, particularly in terms of traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, parking, walkability, infrastructure and access to essential services. He stressed that urban planning must move beyond short-term solutions and adopt integrated approaches that connect transportation, land use, housing, commerce, industry and environmental sustainability.
He said that better urban planning was directly linked with economic activity, as efficient transportation systems reduced travel time, logistics costs and business disruptions while improving access to markets, workplaces and investment opportunities.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions, planners, academia, engineers, the private sector and the business community for developing practical and implementable urban policies. He said that the private sector had an important role to play in infrastructure development, public-private partnerships and the adoption of smart and sustainable mobility solutions.
He called for greater use of modern technology, data-driven planning and international best practices to improve transportation forecasting, traffic management and urban resilience. He also stressed the need to develop cities capable of responding effectively to climate-related challenges, flooding and other emerging urban risks.
IPP President Plnr. Umar Farooq, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of bringing national and international planning experts together to discuss Pakistan’s transportation and urban development challenges and identify sustainable solutions.
International experts shared their perspectives on transportation planning, travel demand forecasting, community resilience and regional trade connectivity. Ms. Healah Darman, International Vice President of ITE 2026 and International President-elect for 2027, USA, spoke on global perspectives and practices in transportation planning.
Robert G. Schiffer, AICP, President of Plan-Plan Consulting, USA, discussed enhanced travel forecasting for long-range transportation planning, while Dennis J. Smith, FACIP, Planner-in-Residence at Florida State University and associated with Ferris State University’s planning research initiatives, spoke on emerging tools for community resilience in transportation planning.
E. Khong Kie Max, Founder and Principal consultant of SC&M Group, Singapore, addressed the impact of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border closure and resulting trade diversion in the region.
National experts also presented detailed perspectives on Pakistan’s urban and transportation challenges. MPA Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, Chairman Public Accounts Committee, LDA, spoke on transport governance and planning challenges in Pakistan’s cities, while Chief Metropolitan Planner LDA Plnr. Faisal Masood discussed the Lahore Master Plan 2050.
Dr. Obaidullah Nadeem, Professor and Chairman, Department of City and Regional Planning, UET Lahore, delivered the keynote address on reimagining Pakistan’s urban future and the changing role of urban planners.
