Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The government has called for stronger coordination and collaboration between public institutions and private developers to promote sustainable urban development, enhance investor confidence and address Pakistan’s growing housing needs.
Speaking at a real estate conference, Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin said effective policies must be developed in line with changing housing requirements in major cities, particularly Lahore. He noted that rapid population growth and urban expansion in Lahore have led to increasing demand for well-planned residential developments.
The provincial housing minister said greater investment in the residential sector could create wider housing opportunities for different segments of society. These include one-bedroom apartments for young professionals and smaller households, as well as two-bedroom apartments for families seeking centrally located residential options. He said the development of new apartment projects could provide buyers with greater choice as Lahore continues to expand and urban land becomes increasingly valuable.
He also emphasised the importance of continued engagement between government institutions and the private sector, saying effective policymaking, clear regulations and stronger industry collaboration are essential to building investor confidence and supporting the long term growth of Pakistan’s real estate market.
Addressing the conference, Alif Holdings Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Saljouk said meaningful dialogue between policymakers and real estate industry stakeholders was crucial for the sector’s long-term development.
He said the real estate sector plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy and its future depends on constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors. Ahmed Saljouk added that Alif Holdings would continue organising such forums to promote informed dialogue and support the sustainable development of the country’s real estate industry.
Participants said expanding housing opportunities must go hand in hand with maintaining construction quality, ensuring regulatory compliance and promoting effective urban planning.
The conference also highlighted property as an important long-term investment opportunity in Lahore, particularly as the city moves towards higher-density residential development supported by improved infrastructure and planning.
Participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening communication between policymakers and the private sector and promoting the sustainable growth of Pakistan’s real estate industry.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq visited the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass and Circular Road to review progress on ongoing development and traffic management projects.
During the visit, the DG LDA inspected traffic flow for vehicles approaching from Azadi Chowk through the Hazrat Ali Hajveri Underpass. He was briefed that millions of vehicles are benefiting from the underpass every day, while its opening has significantly improved traffic flow and provided major relief to commuters.
Tahir Farooq inspected the ongoing construction of the protected U-turn on Circular Road and directed the concerned authorities to complete the project at the earliest. He also reviewed the upgradation work on properties and building facades along the route from the underpass towards Circular Road and directed that development activities in the area be carried out under a sustainable development model.
The DG LDA further directed the installation of cable trays as part of an underground utility corridor to eliminate hanging wires along Circular Road. He also reviewed the quality, construction standards and finishing of the ongoing development works and instructed officials to ensure high-quality execution.
He directed that the Gosha-e-Mazdoor, a designated facility for workers, also be completed at the earliest to provide basic amenities to labourers engaged in the development projects.
Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain and the Project Director briefed the DG LDA on progress made on the ongoing projects. The Director Architecture, contractors and other relevant officials were also present on the occasion.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has issued new guidelines for aesthetic clinics, spas, beauty salons, beauty parlours and businesses providing cosmetic and plastic surgery services across Punjab, aimed at improving transparency in the collection of provincial sales tax and protecting customers from unauthorized charges.
According to the PRA, a 5% Punjab sales tax is applicable to specified services offered by beauty parlours, salons, cosmetic and plastic surgery providers, as well as certain skin and laser treatment services. The authority has directed relevant businesses to ensure that customers are properly informed about the tax being charged on eligible services.
Under the new instructions, service providers are required to prominently display the PRA guidelines at their cash counters so that customers can easily understand the applicable taxation requirements before making payments. Businesses have also been directed to clearly mention the Punjab sales tax component on customer bills and provide proper documentation for every transaction.
The PRA has particularly emphasized the importance of issuing digital receipts. Businesses have been instructed not to rely on temporary or handwritten receipts and instead provide customers with proper digital receipts showing the details of the transaction, including applicable taxes and service charges.
The authority has also warned service providers against collecting amounts from customers beyond the sales tax and service charges permitted under the law. Businesses are expected to ensure that all charges imposed on customers are lawful, transparent and properly reflected on the bill.
The PRA has urged consumers to carefully examine their bills when using services at beauty salons, spas, aesthetic clinics and other relevant establishments. Customers should verify whether the Punjab sales tax has been correctly calculated and ensure that they are not being charged any unauthorized amount in addition to the advertised service price, applicable tax or legally permitted service charges.
The authority has further encouraged customers to report businesses that violate the guidelines, including establishments that refuse to accept card or other digital payment methods. Complaints can be submitted through the PRA Facilitation App or the authority's official social media platforms.
The latest measures form part of the PRA's broader efforts to strengthen tax compliance among service-sector businesses while improving consumer awareness and transparency. By requiring clear tax disclosure, proper digital receipts and lawful billing practices, the authority aims to create a more accountable system for the collection of Punjab sales tax from taxable services.
The PRA has advised both businesses and consumers to familiarize themselves with the applicable tax rules to avoid disputes and ensure that transactions are conducted in accordance with provincial law.