LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan] The DHA Estate Agents Association has made another significant move to protect the 2% commission of estate agents and ensure its formal implementation by submitting an official request to DHA Administrator Brigadier Kashif. According to the association, the initiative is aimed at safeguarding the professional rights of estate agents and securing formal recognition of the commission structure at the official level. The association said the 2% commission has already been made part of its constitution, while formal communication with the DHA administration is now underway to have the decision implemented at both practical and administrative levels. Chaudhry Tauqeer Asif, Director of the DHA Estate Agents Association, said the association’s cabinet is in continuous consultation with the DHA administration to have the 2% commission included in the official policy. He added that the move would not only protect the rights of estate agents but also promote greater transparency and trust in business dealings. The association expressed hope that the ongoing positive engagement with the administration would lead to a major development in the near future, bringing good news for the entire estate agents community.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Government of Punjab has enacted the Aga Khan Properties (Succession and Transfer) Act, 2026, introducing a special legal framework governing the succession and transfer of movable and immovable properties owned by the Aga Khan within the province. Under the new law, all relevant assets will automatically vest in the Successor Imam upon the death of the incumbent Imam without the need for judicial, inheritance or administrative proceedings. The Act applies across Punjab and has been given retrospective effect from February 4, 2025. Under its provisions, the transfer of properties to the Successor Imam will not require probate, succession certificates, letters of administration, registration, mutation, revenue transfer or any other legal or administrative process. According to the Act, all movable and immovable assets, properties, rights, interests, ownership titles, shares, securities, investments, trusts and other holdings in Punjab that are owned, possessed, controlled or beneficially held by the Aga Khan in a personal, official or institutional capacity shall automatically be deemed to transfer to the Successor Imam immediately upon the death of the incumbent Imam. The legislation further stipulates that such transfers cannot be challenged before any court, tribunal or other legal forum, nor shall they be subject to any investigation, approval or conditions imposed under any other law. However, the Act excludes any property that the Aga Khan has already transferred during his lifetime through a will, trust deed, gift, written instruction or any other lawful instrument, or any property that he has expressly excluded from the scope of the Act through written notification to the Punjab Board of Revenue. The law also obliges all relevant public authorities, including revenue departments, land registries, local governments, development authorities, financial institutions and corporate registries, to immediately update official records and register the transfer of properties in the name of the Successor Imam without requiring additional documentation or further verification. Under the Act, the Punjab Board of Revenue will issue implementation directives to the relevant authorities once it is satisfied that the Successor Aga Khan has been recognised as the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community in accordance with its religious and historical traditions.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has decided to conduct a modern digital property survey after 12 years to curb property tax evasion, improve transparency in the tax system and bring more properties into the tax net. According to officials, the survey will be carried out with the support of the Urban Unit, using Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) data and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The initiative aims to accurately identify taxable and non taxable units, digitally map properties and verify existing tax records. Officials said more than 900,000 units in Lahore and over 2.5 million units across Punjab are currently paying property tax. However, the province has records of more than 4.5 million taxable and non taxable units, indicating the need for a comprehensive review and update of property tax records. Under the plan, the digital survey will begin this month as a pilot project from Lahore’s Zone 13. After reviewing the results of the pilot and ensuring the availability of funds, the survey will be expanded in phases to other districts of Punjab. Officials said the digital survey would help prevent property tax evasion, identify unregistered and newly constructed taxable units, and improve revenue collection. The move is also expected to strengthen transparency in the provincial tax system and provide additional financial resources for public services. The Punjab government has set a property tax target of Rs 42 billion for the fiscal year 2026 27. Officials believe the digital survey will play a key role in achieving this target and laying the foundation for a more efficient, transparent and technology driven property tax system.