Faisalabad Division

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
Practical work on the proposed Faisalabad Greenfield International Airport has officially commenced following a high level meeting held to review the project’s development framework and implementation strategy.
The initiative is being undertaken by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) in collaboration with internationally renowned aviation consultancy firm DAR Al-Handasah and its local partner OCL-Asian. The project aims to establish a modern, future-ready airport designed to meet growing aviation demands and align with international standards.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Director General of the PAA, Engr Sameer Saeed, and attended by key stakeholders, including President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Farooq Yousuf Sheikh, Vice Chancellor of Women University Faisalabad Prof Dr Kanwal Amin, as well as representatives from the business community, Airport Security Force, customs, police, district administration, aviation sector, and media.
During the briefing, Engr Sameer Saeed described the Greenfield Airport as a landmark initiative for Faisalabad and the wider region, highlighting its potential to significantly contribute to the national economy. He revealed that the project would require approximately 2,000 to 2,500 acres of land and is being planned with a long-term vision to accommodate future growth in air travel.
He further noted that the project holds strong potential for execution under a public private partnership model, ensuring the development of world-class aviation infrastructure. The PAA, he said, is committed to delivering a comprehensive airport project supported by global expertise and modern planning standards.
Experts from DAR Al-Handasah presented an initial project framework, outlining a nine phase development plan. These phases include data collection, technical analysis, master planning, environmental and economic assessments, design development, evaluation, and the formulation of final recommendations.
The consultants underscored that sustainability, adherence to international benchmarks, and long-term operational efficiency would remain central to all stages of the project.
Participants at the meeting termed the project highly significant for Faisalabad’s industrial, commercial, and social landscape. They observed that the new airport is expected to enhance export capacity, attract both domestic and foreign investment, promote tourism, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen global connectivity.
Experts also described the Greenfield Airport as a potential game changer for Central Punjab, noting that it would not only serve Faisalabad but also provide modern air travel facilities to surrounding districts, thereby driving broader regional development.

Faisalabad: ReNews Pakistan
A long awaited plan to address chronic parking and traffic congestion in Faisalabad’s central business areas has entered the execution phase, as the divisional administration moves forward with the construction of five modern parking plazas worth Rs1 billion.
Chairing a high level meeting on Friday, Divisional Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen announced that work on the project would begin soon. She said the initiative aims to ease traffic pressure around the historic Clock Tower Faisalabad and its eight surrounding bazaars, which remain among the busiest commercial zones in Punjab.
The commissioner directed all relevant departments to ensure timely execution of the project in accordance with approved designs and deadlines. She emphasized that the development would not only resolve longstanding parking shortages but also contribute to better urban planning and smoother business operations in the city.
During the meeting, officials reviewed progress on the ongoing parking plaza at Chiniot Bazaar. The commissioner instructed authorities to address all pending issues on a priority basis to make the facility operational at the earliest.
Highlighting the importance of the project, she stated that Faisalabad’s Clock Tower area serves as the economic hub of the city, and improving its infrastructure is essential for enhancing commercial efficiency and public convenience. She added that the administration remains committed to introducing modern urban solutions to meet the demands of a rapidly growing metropolitan population.
A detailed briefing was given by representatives of NESPAK, who shared design features of the upcoming multi-storey plazas. The facilities will include efficient traffic flow systems and innovative use of rooftop spaces for commercial purposes.
According to officials, the new parking plazas will be constructed at key locations including Zail Ghar, Imam Bargah Road, Aminpur Bazaar, and Karkhana Bazaar, while additional arrangements are also under consideration for Chiniot Bazaar.
Once completed, the multi-level structures are expected to collectively accommodate more than 1,500 motorcycles and cars, significantly reducing roadside parking and easing congestion in the main business areas.
Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retired) Nadeem Nasir, Director Development Asif Chaudhry, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Murtaza Malik, and NESPAK engineers, were also present at the meeting.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
Recent reforms introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are beginning to reshape taxpayer behaviour, as stricter and more expensive conditions on international travel and property transactions encourage non filers to voluntarily enter the tax net.
Speaking at an awareness seminar hosted by the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Secretary Tax Education Muhammad Muti ur Rehman Mumtaz said the government has deliberately avoided direct punitive measures against non filers. Instead, it has implemented policies that make key financial activities such as foreign travel and property dealings significantly more costly and cumbersome for individuals who remain out the documented tax system.
He explained that these measures are part of a broader institutional restructuring of the FBR initiated nearly two years ago. The reform process involved extensive consultations with stakeholders aimed at identifying systemic gaps, improving enforcement, and enhancing transparency. A major component of the reforms includes reducing the discretionary powers of tax officials through digitalisation and automation, thereby minimising human intervention and curbing opportunities for tax evasion.
According to Mumtaz, early results of these reforms are encouraging. Enhanced monitoring in critical sectors, including the sugar industry, has led to a notable increase in sales tax collection. Similar improvements have been observed in textiles, steel, beverages, and cement sectors. The adoption of automated systems has also reduced disputes related to tax assessments, fostering greater trust and efficiency in the system.
He further revealed that approximately 1.7 million new taxpayers have been added to the national tax base as a result of these initiatives. Efforts are ongoing to further document the economy, with the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) now effectively serving as a universal tax identification number. This integration enables authorities to track financial transactions more efficiently and identify potential taxpayers.
Highlighting enforcement mechanisms, Mumtaz noted that the Point of Sale (POS) system has been introduced to ensure that businesses collect taxes directly on behalf of the government. Strict action is being taken against entities that fail to comply. Additionally, authorities have used utility consumption data to identify millions of potential taxpayers, with initial notices already issued to a significant number of them.
Officials emphasised that the long-term objective of these reforms is to reduce tax evasion and eventually eliminate the distinction between filers and non-filers. This will be achieved by promoting voluntary compliance through a combination of policy incentives, technological upgrades, and improved governance.
Representatives of the business community present at the seminar welcomed the reforms but stressed the importance of continued coordination between government institutions and the private sector. They underscored that sustained engagement is essential to strengthening the tax framework and ensuring long term, sustainable economic growth.