Punjab Province

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
Rawalpindi’s development programme for the 2026-27 fiscal year has suffered a major setback as severe financial constraints have forced authorities to cancel hundreds of development schemes and shelve several major road and transport infrastructure projects proposed for the district.
A total of 286 development schemes have been cancelled in Rawalpindi district, while the number of dropped schemes across Rawalpindi Division has reached 360. Development projects proposed by the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and District Council have also been cancelled as authorities reassess spending priorities amid limited financial resources.
The financial pressure has also delayed finalisation of Rawalpindi’s District Development Plan for fiscal year 2026-27, leaving several planned infrastructure interventions outside the current development framework.
Among the major projects affected is the proposed Murree Road Signal Free Corridor, which was expected to improve traffic movement along one of Rawalpindi’s busiest urban arteries. Plans to expand service lanes between Liaquat Bagh and Chandni Chowk have also been dropped.
Several proposed underpasses have suffered the same fate. These include underpasses at Chandni Chowk, the Murree Road and Rawal Road intersection and Murree Chowk, as well as a proposed underpass intended to connect Double Road with Ninth Avenue.
The government has also shelved the Rs 800 million Leh Expressway project and a proposed multi storey parking plaza at Liaquat Bagh. The parking facility was intended to address growing parking pressure in the congested commercial areas surrounding Liaquat Bagh and Murree Road.
The Rawalpindi Development Authority had proposed major development projects worth around Rs 8 billion for fiscal year 2026-27. However, the projects were excluded from both the Annual Development Programme and District Development Plan because of funding limitations and stringent requirements for approval of their PC-Is.
The cancellation of the projects could affect planned improvements to Rawalpindi’s urban road network, particularly along Murree Road and other heavily congested corridors where growing traffic volumes have increased pressure on existing infrastructure.
Financial constraints are being compounded by a sharp increase in construction costs. Prices of key building materials, including steel, cement, iron bars, sand and gravel, have risen significantly, while labour and transportation expenses have also increased.
As a result, estimated costs of several development projects have reportedly risen by between 40 and 50 percent, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to implement schemes within previously calculated budgets.
The escalation in construction costs also means that postponing the projects may make their eventual implementation more expensive. Projects prepared on the basis of earlier cost estimates may no longer remain financially or technically viable under existing feasibility studies and planning documents.
If the government decides to revive the shelved schemes during fiscal year 2027-28, authorities are expected to undertake fresh feasibility studies and prepare revised PC-Is reflecting updated construction costs and technical requirements.
Preparing new feasibility studies and project documents could itself require expenditure running into millions of rupees before physical construction can begin.
The latest development highlights the growing impact of fiscal pressures and construction cost inflation on Rawalpindi’s infrastructure pipeline, with several projects aimed at easing congestion and improving urban mobility now facing an uncertain timeline.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has banned handwritten and informal receipts at restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, marriage halls and other notified businesses across Punjab, making electronically generated tax receipts mandatory as part of a broader crackdown on tax evasion and manipulation of sales records. Under a notification issued by the authority, businesses covered by the new requirements must use the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS) for recording transactions and issuing receipts to customers. The PRA has warned that businesses failing to issue EIMS generated receipts could face fines ranging from Rs 400,000 to Rs 1 million. Establishments repeatedly violating the requirements may also be sealed for up to one month. The move is aimed at strengthening the monitoring of sales transactions and ensuring that businesses accurately declare their revenue for taxation purposes. Electronic invoicing allows the revenue authority to maintain a more transparent record of transactions and reduces opportunities for businesses to underreport sales through informal billing practices. Under the new rules, restaurants, marriage halls and other covered establishments will no longer be allowed to provide handwritten receipts, kitchen order slips, unpaid bills or similar documents to customers as substitutes for a proper tax invoice. Instead, customers must be provided with an official receipt containing key information including the name and address of the business, receipt number and a Punjab Revenue Authority QR code. The authority has also warned businesses against tampering with sales records or electronic invoicing systems. Strict legal action may be taken against establishments that fail to provide required records to enforcement teams or interfere with government officials performing their duties. PRA enforcement officers have been directed to take immediate action against businesses found violating the electronic invoicing requirements. The notification was issued on the instructions of PRA Chairman Muazam Iqbal Sapra, while commissioners across Punjab have been directed to ensure implementation of the measures within their respective jurisdictions. The latest enforcement measures are part of the provincial revenue authority’s efforts to bring business transactions into a documented system, improve tax compliance and prevent the concealment or manipulation of taxable sales across Punjab.

Murree : ReNews Pakistan
The Murree district administration has installed modern decorative and colorful lighting at key public locations in the city as part of efforts to improve the hill station’s appearance and enhance facilities for tourists.
The new lighting has been installed at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and PIA Park under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Bright and Roshan Punjab” vision, which focuses on improving the appearance and public environment of urban areas across the province.
According to officials, the initiative was carried out on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Murree. The Additional Deputy Commissioner Murree and the Managing Director of the Parks and Horticulture Authority arranged the installation of the decorative lights at the selected locations.
Officials said the project is aimed at enhancing the visual appeal of important public spaces, particularly during evening hours, while also creating a more welcoming and pleasant environment for residents and tourists.
Murree remains one of Pakistan’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts a large number of visitors from different parts of the country throughout the year, particularly during the summer season, public holidays and periods of snowfall.
The district administration said beautification and improvement of public spaces are important for strengthening the city’s tourism appeal and improving the overall experience of visitors.
PIA Park is among the recreational spaces used by tourists and local residents, and the addition of decorative lighting is expected to improve its nighttime appearance and make the area more attractive for visitors.
Officials said similar beautification measures are intended to improve the appearance of prominent public places and recreational areas while maintaining Murree’s importance as a major hill station and tourism destination.
The administration said the latest lighting project forms part of broader efforts to improve public spaces, urban aesthetics and tourist facilities across the city.