Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has intensified enforcement against restaurants, hotels and other businesses for failing to use the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS) and maintaining irregular digital transaction records.

According to a PRA spokesperson, notices were issued to 250 businesses not connected to EIMS during the past 24 hours. Thirty business operators were also fined over digital payment irregularities and violations of tax laws.

The enforcement operations took place in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha and Rawalpindi. The spokesperson said the authority also registered more than 50 new businesses during the same period.

The PRA directed businesses to maintain accurate sales records through EIMS and comply with applicable tax laws. It said action was being taken against businesses evading taxes or manipulating digital records, resulting in losses to the public exchequer.

The spokesperson urged consumers to verify their receipts through the PRA Facilitation App. Consumers can use the application to check receipts issued for their purchases or services.

Citizens were also advised to lodge complaints through social media platforms against businesses issuing unverified receipts or refusing to accept digital payments.

The spokesperson said effective use of EIMS was helping prevent potential financial irregularities and broaden Punjab’s tax net. The provincial government is continuing efforts to modernise tax administration and expand digital monitoring to improve transparency and compliance.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan 

The opening of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) has been rescheduled to the first half of November, with officials citing the ongoing completion of toll systems and electronic collection facilities as the reason for the delay. The main 38.3-kilometer carriageway between Baanth and Thalian is complete, as are fencing and horticulture work along the corridor. The project had previously missed its August 14 opening target.

According to reports from October 20, the primary remaining tasks involve the installation of toll booths at Baanth and Thalian, along with the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) facilities. Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri indicated that these systems would require approximately two more weeks to become operational. The government’s target for opening the road remains within the first or second week of November.

While the main road surface is ready, a completed carriageway cannot be fully opened for general traffic without functional entry, exit, and toll arrangements. The Thalian interchange is being developed as a separate, larger project and is expected to commence its remaining works after the main Ring Road opens. Motorists will need to adhere to the access arrangements officially notified by the authority during the initial days of operation, rather than relying on maps of a fully finished interchange.