Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh cabinet has approved the negotiated financing and implementation package for the $150 million Sindh Property Revenue Enhancement Programme (Sindh-PREP), advancing a major initiative to modernise urban property taxation and strengthen the financial management of local governments.
The programme seeks to improve the accuracy of urban property records, strengthen tax administration, increase revenue collection and develop more effective financial management systems for municipal institutions across the province.
The decision was taken during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on October 20, 2026.
According to the approved framework, one of the programme's principal objectives is to increase annual Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) collection across Karachi's 25 Town Municipal Corporations from the current Rs 2.3 billion to a target of Rs 25.5 billion during implementation.
The proposed increase represents an additional Rs 23.2 billion in annual property tax revenue, equivalent to approximately 11 times the existing collection level.
However, the target is dependent on the successful implementation of administrative reforms, accurate property assessments, broader tax coverage and improved collection efficiency.
Under the proposed financing structure, the World Bank will provide $150 million, comprising $110 million through a Programme-for-Results (PforR) component and $40 million through Investment Project Financing (IPF).
The Programme-for-Results mechanism links financing to the achievement and verification of specified performance targets, while the investment financing component is intended to support technical systems, institutional development and reform implementation.
The Sindh government will also provide a counterpart contribution equivalent to 20 percent of the Programme-for-Results component.
The cabinet approved the negotiated package covering financing and implementation arrangements, the programme's results framework, performance verification procedures and environmental and social commitments.
Beyond Karachi, the initiative is intended to strengthen property tax administration in other urban areas of Sindh.
The programme includes institutional capacity-building measures for 45 selected local councils and the introduction of an Integrated Financial Management Information System.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan


The Punjab government has approved a pilot project to transform 120 villages across the province into model settlements, focusing on improved rural infrastructure, sanitation and basic public services.
The initiative aims to upgrade existing villages through the development of sewerage systems, drainage networks and paved streets, while establishing local administrative mechanisms to oversee implementation and ensure community participation.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the project during a special meeting held in Lahore on October 20, 2026, where officials presented a comprehensive briefing on the proposed model village development programme.
The provincial government also decided to introduce the Khushhal Dehat Act 2026, a proposed legislative framework intended to support rural development and improve the management of village level infrastructure projects.
Under the initial phase, 120 villages will be selected for the pilot programme, with development activities to be coordinated through specially constituted village committees.
The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to establish these committees promptly and submit a comprehensive implementation plan.
According to the approved administrative arrangements, each village committee will comprise eight members, including four public representatives and four government representatives.
The relevant Assistant Commissioner will head each committee, while the Deputy Commissioner will supervise all village committees and development projects within the district.
The committees will include a local school headteacher, Union Council Secretary and a doctor from a Basic Health Unit or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic, alongside other relevant representatives.
These committees are expected to help identify community infrastructure requirements, coordinate development activities and monitor the quality of public works.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan


PC Hospitality, the hospitality division of Hashoo Group, has announced the launch of HotelOne Living, a new brand designed to cater to Pakistan's emerging midscale extended-stay accommodation and branded residences market.
The initiative marks an expansion of the company's hospitality portfolio into a segment serving business travellers, professionals, relocating employees and families requiring accommodation for longer periods than conventional hotel stays.
According to an official announcement issued on October 19, 2026, Hotel One Living has been developed to combine the spaciousness, privacy and convenience of apartment style accommodation with the professional services, safety and operational standards associated with established hotel brands.
The concept is positioned within the midscale segment, offering an alternative to traditional hotels and corporate housing arrangements.
PC Hospitality said the new brand is intended to address changing accommodation requirements among professionals and modern travellers who increasingly need residential facilities capable of supporting work, daily routines and longer-term living.
Hotel One Living will focus on functional living areas, dedicated workspaces and integrated lifestyle amenities while maintaining consistent hospitality standards for comfort, cleanliness and service quality.
The accommodation model is designed to provide residents with greater personal space and flexibility than a conventional hotel room while retaining access to professionally managed hospitality services.
According to the company, the brand will target prime commercial districts and major business hubs across Pakistan, where demand for flexible residential accommodation is expected to come from corporate clients, business travellers, professionals and relocating families.
Bastien Blanc, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitality Division at Hashoo Group, said the expectations of contemporary travellers and long-stay residents were evolving beyond conventional hotel accommodation.

Taxila : ReNews Pakistan
Construction of Phase II of the Workers’ Welfare Fund Labour Complex on Hattar Road, Taxila, has formally begun after remaining stalled for nearly 19 years. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain laid the foundation stone on October 20, 2026, marking the start of a project estimated at Rs1.1 billion with a 24 month construction target.
The development aims to address the need for affordable family housing and supporting facilities for industrial workers in Taxila, Wah, and the Hattar industrial corridor. Phase II will cover 113,024 square feet and is planned to include a boys’ high school, a girls’ high school, a junior school, a shopping area, and other residential and community amenities. The project was initially launched in 2007.
In parallel, the 504 residential flats constructed under Phase I of the Labour Complex are expected to be handed over to eligible industrial workers within approximately two months from the announcement date. The minister also indicated that arrangements are being made for families of Pakistan Ordnance Factories workers who died in workplace incidents, including five additional flats for families affected by the August 2021 POF blast. Coordination with relevant departments is underway to finalize allotment and handover procedures.

Quetta : ReNews Pakistan
DHA Quetta has extended the deadline for its File Adjustment Scheme 2026 to October 31, providing eligible members with additional time to complete the required adjustment procedure. The revised deadline was announced via DHA Quetta’s official social media channels.
This new date of October 31 supersedes the previously communicated deadlines of October 10 and October 20. The extension pertains to the existing adjustment program and does not introduce a new scheme. Members are reminded to adhere to the original scheme’s eligibility conditions and to obtain specific adjustment details directly from DHA Quetta.
The File Adjustment Scheme allows qualifying members to pursue adjustments under DHA Quetta’s established arrangements. It is important to note that this deadline extension does not independently establish new adjustment rates, introduce additional eligible categories, or alter revised payment terms. Members are advised to verify their outstanding amounts and the applicable procedure based on their individual file status.