Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

Authorities have identified 271 dangerous buildings in Lahore's historic Walled City following a structural safety survey conducted ahead of Basant 2027, as efforts continue to assess potentially unsafe properties and reduce the risk of accidents during the kite flying festival.

According to the survey findings, inspections of approximately 10,000 buildings have been completed across five wards of the Walled City, with 271 structures classified as dangerous.

The highest number of unsafe buildings was recorded in the Lohari Gate area, where 95 structures were identified as potentially hazardous.

Taxali Gate ranked second with 57 dangerous buildings, while 52 unsafe structures were identified in the ward comprising Akbari Gate and Delhi Gate.

Similarly, authorities identified 43 dangerous buildings in Bhati Gate and 24 in Yakki Gate.

Officials said Lahore's Walled City comprises nine wards containing approximately 22,000 buildings. With inspections completed in five wards, structural assessments are continuing in the remaining four.

The survey is intended to identify buildings that may pose safety risks during Basant celebrations, particularly structures with weakened rooftops, deteriorating walls or other structural defects.

During the festival, rooftops traditionally attract groups of people participating in or watching kite-flying activities, potentially placing additional pressure on older and weakened structures.Many properties in Lahore's historic Walled City are several decades old, and some have experienced deterioration due to ageing construction materials, inadequate maintenance and environmental exposure.The Punjab government has already announced that Basant 2027 will be celebrated in Lahore from March 12 to 14, subject to safety regulations and administrative arrangements.

Authorities have also issued instructions regarding the inspection of old buildings and rooftops to minimise the risk of accidents during the celebrations.

Under the announced safety measures, kite flying will not be permitted on unsafe rooftops.The district administration has been directed to inspect the rooftops of old residential and commercial buildings, while kite-flying activities may be prohibited on structures that fail the required safety assessments.

Property owners are also required to comply with prescribed safety measures, including providing rooftop boundary walls at least three-and-a-half feet high and carrying out necessary repairs at authorised locations.The ongoing building survey is expected to help authorities identify vulnerable structures and inform property owners about the need for precautionary measures before the festival.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain, ReNews Pakistan

A public notice concerning property transactions has advised buyers and sellers to ensure that their names recorded on their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), exactly match those appearing in their Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) profiles.

According to the notice, both parties involved in transferring a plot or house must ensure consistency between their identification documents and tax registration records. In case of any discrepancy in FBR records, taxpayers have been advised to update their registration information under Section 181 of the Income Tax Ordinance by using the FBR's online portal or contacting the relevant Regional Tax Office (RTO).

The FBR's official website confirms that taxpayers can request amendments to their income tax registration details if any errors, omissions or changes are identified. Under the prescribed procedure, the concerned individual submits a registration amendment form through the IRIS portal. The Commissioner may approve or reject the application after reviewing it.

Separate FBR guidelines explain that certain registration details can be updated online through Registration Form 181. These include mobile phone numbers, residential and business addresses, bank account information and certain other particulars.

However, specific changes, including amendments involving CNIC numbers, require taxpayers to visit the relevant Regional Tax Office and provide the necessary supporting documents.

Importantly, the official FBR guidance does not explicitly include name changes among the details that taxpayers can independently modify online. Therefore, individuals whose names contain spelling differences or other discrepancies should contact the relevant Regional Tax Office to confirm the procedure applicable to their particular circumstances.

Submitting an online amendment form alone should not be considered a guarantee that a name correction will be approved in every case.

The importance of identity verification during property transfers is also reflected in the procedures followed by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA).

According to the authority, valid identity cards and ownership documents are required for property mutation and transfer. The process at land record centres also involves recording CNIC details, capturing photographs and conducting biometric verification.

The public notice does not specify any deadline for correcting discrepancies, penalties for non-compliance or automatic rejection of property transfers where names do not match.

Its primary message is that property buyers and sellers should ensure consistency between the names appearing on their CNICs and FBR tax profiles to avoid potential documentation and verification issues during property transactions.