Punjab Province

Rawalpindi : Owners of small residential properties in Rawalpindi are facing property tax demands running into hundreds of thousands of rupees, triggering disputes with tax authorities over what residents say is a longstanding exemption for houses measuring up to five marlas.
Residents owning houses measuring between two and four marlas have reported receiving property tax bills ranging from Rs150,000 to Rs300,000. Some homeowners say enforcement action has also been initiated against properties where the demanded tax remains unpaid.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of difficulties faced by the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department in meeting property tax collection targets in Rawalpindi Division.
According to the reported complaints, the division has experienced a substantial shortfall in property tax collections over the past two years, particularly involving larger commercial and residential properties, shopping malls, plazas and major housing societies.
Residents allege that tax authorities have responded to the revenue shortfall by widening enforcement to include smaller residential properties, including houses that homeowners maintain had previously remained outside the property tax net.
At the centre of the dispute is the treatment of privately owned residential properties measuring up to five marlas.
Residents say the Punjab government granted an exemption from property tax to such houses around 25 years ago. They argue that owners of two-, three- and four-marla properties should therefore not suddenly face demands reaching hundreds of thousands of rupees.
The issuance of the bills has raised questions among homeowners over whether the exemption remains applicable, whether the taxation framework has subsequently been amended and how the amounts appearing on individual bills have been calculated.
Some residents have reported receiving demands of Rs150,000 to Rs200,000, while others claim bills have reached as high as Rs300,000.
The unexpectedly large amounts have particularly alarmed households living in modest properties, with residents arguing that such tax liabilities place a disproportionate financial burden on lower- and middle-income families.
The dispute has intensified following reports of enforcement measures against homeowners who have not paid the disputed amounts.
Residents allege that some small houses have been sealed over non-payment and that tax recovery operations have led to confrontations between citizens and Excise Department personnel.
There have also been allegations that authorities have pursued recovery through household assets in certain cases. These claims have contributed to growing resentment among affected residents and heightened tensions during enforcement operations.
According to the report, property tax collection in Rawalpindi Division has remained substantially below target, with an estimated shortfall of around 50 per cent over the past two years.
Residents contend that authorities should concentrate recovery efforts on major commercial properties, large houses, shopping centres, plazas and housing societies where significant tax liabilities may remain outstanding rather than placing additional pressure on owners of small homes.
The controversy has prompted calls for the Punjab government and senior Excise Department officials to clarify the legal status of the exemption for smaller homes and explain the basis on which the latest property tax assessments have been issued.
Affected residents have also called for the disputed bills to be reviewed and for clear guidance on the tax status of houses measuring up to five marlas.
The Excise Department's detailed position on the residents' allegations and the specific legal basis for the reported tax demands was not included in the original report.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has approved an initial estimated cost of Rs1 billion to upgrade four major sports venues in Lahore to international standards ahead of the South Asian Games (SAF Games) scheduled to be held in Pakistan in April 2027.

Lahore will host competitions in 10 sports during the regional sporting event, and the provincial government has initiated preparations to improve the sports infrastructure required for the competitions.

The approval for the initial estimated cost is aimed at upgrading the selected venues and bringing their facilities in line with the requirements of international sporting events. The initiative is expected to focus on improving the existing sports infrastructure and making the venues more suitable for hosting competitions involving athletes from across South Asia.

The South Asian Games are a major multi sport event in the region, bringing together athletes from South Asian countries in a range of sporting disciplines. Pakistan is scheduled to host the Games in April 2027, with Lahore among the cities selected to host competitions.

Under the Lahore preparations, four major sports venues will be upgraded for the 10 sporting events allocated to the city. The Rs1 billion initial estimated cost has been approved by the Punjab government as part of preparations for the event.

The upgrade programme is also expected to provide an opportunity to improve the city's existing sports facilities beyond the requirements of the upcoming Games. Better equipped venues can support the hosting of other major national and international sporting events in the future.

Following approval of the initial estimated cost, the relevant authorities will proceed with the planning and implementation of the required upgrade works at the selected venues.

The development forms part of preparations for the South Asian Games and reflects the provincial government's focus on strengthening sports infrastructure in Lahore ahead of the regional event. The upgraded venues are intended to provide an international standard environment for athletes and officials participating in the competitions scheduled to take place in the city.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan Railways has significantly increased revenue from its commercial assets after auctioning 125 godowns at Badami Bagh, Lahore, raising annual lease income by more than four times compared with the previous arrangement.
According to railway authorities, the transparent auction increased the annual lease revenue from Rs 72.2 million to Rs 331.08 million, representing a 358.6 per cent increase. The auction is expected to provide a substantially stronger and recurring revenue stream from the railway’s commercial property assets.
In addition to the annual lease income, Pakistan Railways will receive Rs 277.72 million as an upfront security deposit equivalent to one year’s lease value. This brings the total first-year financial realisation from the auction to approximately Rs 608.80 million.
Railway authorities said the overall cash flow generated through the auction represented a 743.5 per cent increase compared with the previous year, highlighting the financial potential of better utilisation and transparent management of railway-owned commercial properties.
The Badami Bagh godowns form part of Pakistan Railways’ commercial asset portfolio in Lahore, where railway-owned land and buildings are used for business and storage activities. Officials said the auction process was conducted transparently to ensure competitive bidding and improve returns from existing assets.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said transparency and protection of the national interest remained key priorities in the utilisation of railway assets.
He said the effective and transparent commercial use of railway properties could contribute directly to the national exchequer, while congratulating the railway administration for conducting the auction process in a professional manner.
The sharp increase in lease revenue from the Badami Bagh properties comes as Pakistan Railways seeks to strengthen its financial position by improving the commercial utilisation of its extensive land and property portfolio. The latest auction demonstrates the potential for generating higher recurring income through competitive leasing and transparent disposal mechanisms.