Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has reaffirmed its commitment to compensating all landowners affected by the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, assuring that no eligible property owner will be deprived of compensation for land acquired for the strategically significant 38.5-kilometre transport corridor. The assurance was conveyed by Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Engineer Qamarul Islam during a meeting with a delegation representing affected landowners. The delegation expressed concern over delays in the compensation process, stating that awards for several acquired land parcels have yet to be issued despite substantial progress on the project. According to representatives of the landowners, the project has involved the acquisition of hundreds of kanals of land owned by nearly 200 individuals in each of seven long established settlements situated along the route. They said that while land acquisition has already taken place, compensation in certain areas remains unresolved, creating uncertainty for the affected families. Responding to the concerns, Engineer Qamarul Islam assured the delegation that all legitimate claims would be honoured. He stated that the concerns raised by the landowners, along with the relevant documentation and details, have already been forwarded to the Punjab government and the Office of the Rawalpindi Commissioner for necessary action. The affected landowners have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Rawalpindi commissioner to accelerate the compensation process so that all outstanding claims are settled before the formal inauguration of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which is expected on August 14. Separately, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Raja Ilyas Kayani announced that a delegation representing the affected landowners will travel to Lahore to meet the Punjab chief secretary. The meeting is expected to focus on resolving the remaining compensation issues and ensuring timely payments to all eligible landowners. The Rawalpindi Ring Road is considered one of Punjab's flagship infrastructure projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving regional connectivity and supporting urban and economic development around the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The road has already been linked with the motorway network to facilitate smoother traffic movement. However, construction of the Thalian Interchange, a key component of the project, is still under way and has yet to be completed.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan Property registrations for residential and commercial properties have officially resumed across Rawalpindi Division after remaining suspended for nearly a month, providing relief to buyers, sellers and the real estate sector. The registration process has restarted with the official valuation rates from the previous fiscal year remaining unchanged for 2026-27, while authorities continue to finalise updated administrative procedures. Registrations in Rawalpindi city, cantonment and adjoining areas are now being processed through biometric verification and the government's online registration system. Authorities have made biometric authentication mandatory for both buyers and sellers to enhance transparency, reduce fraud and strengthen the security of property transactions. Officials have also confirmed that the upgraded online registration system is expected to become fully operational from Monday. The decision to retain the existing official valuation rates has been welcomed by property dealers, who believe it will prevent an immediate increase in government-assessed property values. However, they caution that recent increases in advance tax, capital gains tax and registration-related fees will significantly raise the overall cost of property transactions. According to estimates shared by property dealers, registration expenses for residential properties could increase by approximately Rs30,000 to Rs50,000, while commercial property transactions may become Rs50,000 to Rs125,000 more expensive depending on the property's value and applicable taxes. Officials estimate that the month-long suspension of property registrations resulted in a government revenue loss of nearly Rs1.5 billion, highlighting the financial impact of the interruption on both public revenues and market activity. Meanwhile, the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has not yet issued property tax bills for the 2026-27 fiscal year across the Rawalpindi Region. Although property tax rates have reportedly been increased by 10% to 15%, officials say the department cannot prepare and issue the bills until it formally receives the deputy commissioner's approved valuation rates. Traditionally, these valuation rates are issued in early July. However, this year's approval process was delayed, and the revised rates had not reached the Excise Department by July 25. Officials now expect the documents to be received shortly, after which the preparation of property tax bills will require an additional 10 to 15 days. As a result, property tax bills for residential and commercial properties in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas are expected to be dispatched after August 14, allowing the department to complete the valuation-based assessment process. The resumption of registrations is expected to restore confidence in the local property market after weeks of uncertainty. However, industry stakeholders remain concerned that higher taxation and transaction costs could discourage investment and reduce the volume of property sales during the current fiscal year.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan The Rawalpindi administration has accelerated work on several major infrastructure projects aimed at improving urban mobility, reducing traffic congestion and strengthening public utilities, with two flagship road development schemes scheduled for completion by June 2027. Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani reviewed the progress of key development projects during an inspection visit, directing all relevant departments to ensure timely execution while maintaining construction quality and implementing comprehensive safety measures throughout the ongoing monsoon season. The commissioner inspected the Qasim Market Development Project, the Race Course Chowk Development Project, and the 1,400mm water supply pipeline being laid by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) along Syedpur Road under the Punjab Development Program. Officials briefed the commissioner that the Qasim Market Development Project is expected to improve traffic movement for approximately 182,000 vehicles every day, while the Race Course Chowk Development Project will facilitate smoother traffic flow for nearly 250,000 vehicles daily. Together, the two projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve road connectivity and ease congestion across some of Rawalpindi's busiest transport corridors. Both road infrastructure projects are currently scheduled for completion by June 2027. During the review meeting, Commissioner Salman Ghani instructed all executing agencies to accelerate construction activities, ensure effective coordination among departments and promptly resolve utility relocation, technical and administrative issues that could delay progress. He emphasized that the projects must be completed within the approved timeline without compromising engineering standards or public safety. The commissioner also reviewed progress on the Syedpur Road water supply scheme, where WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan informed him that nearly 70 percent of the pipeline installation has already been completed. According to the project timeline, the scheme is expected to be finished by August 20, 2026. Once operational, the new 1,400mm pipeline is expected to improve the reliability and capacity of clean drinking water supply for thousands of residents in Rawalpindi by strengthening the city's water distribution network. Given the ongoing monsoon season, the commissioner directed contractors and executing agencies to minimize unnecessary excavation work and adopt enhanced safety protocols at all construction sites. He instructed authorities to install adequate warning signs, reflectors, lighting arrangements and effective traffic management systems to safeguard motorists and pedestrians while ensuring uninterrupted progress on the development projects.