Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The elected management body of the DHA Estate Agents Association Lahore held an important meeting on September 8, 2026, to review preparations for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), including its schedule, as well as key administrative and constitutional matters concerning the association. The meeting reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming AGM and discussed various administrative issues, with necessary matters taken forward for finalisation. Members of the management body also deliberated on the association’s future, administrative affairs and measures aimed at strengthening its representation of the real estate community. A major focus of the meeting was the proposed amendments to the constitution of the DHA Estate Agents Association. The participants held detailed legal and constitutional consultations and expressed unanimous agreement on the amendments, maintaining that the changes were aimed at serving the broader interests of the community, strengthening the association’s representation and improving its institutional framework for the future. Information Director Chaudhry Touqeer Asif said the management body would fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibilities regarding the amendments and would defend them at every appropriate forum whenever necessary. He added that the community would be kept informed of all important developments in a timely, clear and transparent manner. Meanwhile, the association reminded all members that September 30, 2026, is the deadline for payment of DHA and Association fees. Under the new constitution, payment of both fees is mandatory for members to retain their right to vote. The association urged members not to wait until the deadline and to clear their DHA and Association dues before September 30 to ensure that their voting rights remain intact. According to the management body, timely payment of the fees is not merely a financial obligation but is directly linked to members’ right to vote, effective representation and their role in shaping the future of the association. Chaudhry Touqeer Asif urged all members to fulfil their responsibility and ensure payment of both fees before the deadline, stressing that active community participation, voting and a collective voice are fundamental to building a strong and representative association.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Property owners across Punjab have a limited window to avail a 5% rebate on property tax, with the provincial Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department stating that taxpayers who pay their full annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30, 2026, can benefit from the concession. According to property tax information issued by the Excise Department, taxpayers are entitled to a 5% rebate on their annual property tax if the full amount is paid within the prescribed period. The incentive is aimed at encouraging timely tax payments and improving government revenue collection. To qualify for the rebate, taxpayers must pay their complete annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30. Once the deadline passes, the rebate will no longer be available, while delayed payment may increase the taxpayer's overall financial liability. For example, a property owner with an annual tax liability of Rs100,000 can save Rs5,000 through the 5% rebate and pay Rs95,000 to settle the annual tax liability. Similarly, a taxpayer liable to pay Rs50,000 in annual property tax can save Rs2,500 by making the payment within the prescribed deadline. According to the Excise Department, property tax is levied on taxable buildings and land in urban areas, while the assessment takes into account factors including the nature, use and location of the property, along with other applicable legal and administrative considerations. The September 30 deadline is important not only for securing the rebate but also because delayed payment can create an additional financial burden for taxpayers. Under the department's property tax guidelines, a 1% late-payment surcharge may be imposed for each month of delay after the prescribed deadline. As a result, property owners who fail to clear their tax dues by September 30 could lose the 5% rebate while also becoming liable for additional charges arising from delayed payment. The deadline is particularly significant for owners of large residential and commercial properties, rental properties, shops, plazas and other taxable real estate assets, making timely payment important for avoiding additional costs. The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has also introduced a range of digital facilities for property taxpayers, enabling citizens to access tax-related services without making repeated visits to government offices. Its online platform provides information on property tax, online self-assessment, a property tax calculator and other related services. Citizens can use these facilities to obtain information about their property tax, review outstanding liabilities and access guidance regarding available digital payment options. Property tax records maintained by the department also contain information relating to property ownership, possession, use and annual rental value. Punjab is also expanding the use of digital technology, including Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, to modernise the property-tax administration system. The Excise Department also provides exemptions or special concessions to certain categories of properties and taxpayers under applicable laws. These may include certain small residential properties, specified government-owned properties, religious buildings and other categories covered under the relevant legal provisions. However, eligibility for any exemption remains subject to applicable conditions. Property owners are therefore advised to verify their individual tax status and liabilities according to the records maintained by the Excise Department. Timely payment of property tax is not only an important source of government revenue but also plays a significant role in maintaining accurate and updated tax records for property owners. Under the department's current instructions, eligible taxpayers who pay their complete annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30, 2026, can avail themselves of the 5% rebate. Property owners have been advised to review their tax liabilities and records well before the deadline and complete payment in time rather than waiting until the final days. The September 30 deadline therefore carries direct financial significance for property owners across Punjab, as timely payment can provide a 5% saving, while failure to pay within the prescribed period could result in the loss of the rebate as well as additional financial liability in the form of late-payment charges.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Amid the rapid decline in groundwater levels across Punjab’s urban areas, the provincial government has decided to promote smart and automated water metering to curb water wastage and encourage responsible consumption. A meeting chaired by Housing Secretary Noor ul Amin Mengal was held in Lahore to review measures related to water conservation, water metering and groundwater recharge, including the installation of recharge wells. WASA officials briefed the meeting that work is currently underway on 70 groundwater recharge wells across Punjab, of which 20 have become fully operational. Projects involving 40 recharge wells in Lahore, 25 in Multan and five in Faisalabad are also in progress. According to officials, the recharge wells have been assigned a target of conserving 11.4 million gallons of water annually. Water metering and rainwater harvesting are also being incorporated into a broader strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of water resources. Housing Secretary Noor ul Amin Mengal said automated water metering would enable automatic meter readings, eliminating human intervention in the meter-reading process. He said the technology-driven system would improve transparency in billing and strengthen monitoring of water consumption. The meeting also reviewed different models of water meters. WASA officials said Punjab requires a total of 1,509,288 water meters, while efforts are underway to procure meters from other countries in the region at comparatively lower prices. Officials further informed the meeting that Lahore’s groundwater level declined by an average of nearly three feet annually between 1970 and 2020. However, changes in tubewell operating hours have helped reduce the annual rate of decline to around one foot. The Housing Secretary directed authorities to expand the network of groundwater recharge wells and launch comprehensive public awareness initiatives on water conservation and the protection of underground water resources. According to the provincial government, water metering, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge will be pursued as part of an integrated strategy to address the growing water crisis and ensure more sustainable use of Punjab’s water resources.