Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive plan to expand biogas production across the province by converting livestock waste into locally produced energy, while the Energy Department has sent a summary to the provincial cabinet seeking approval for private investment in commercial scale biogas projects.

Under the proposed framework, private investors would be allowed to invest in, operate and generate commercial returns from biogas projects, with the government seeking to use private sector participation to expand the technology across different parts of Punjab, particularly rural areas.

The programme is also expected to cover dairy farms, community level biogas plants and eligible households, allowing livestock waste to be converted into usable energy while helping meet local fuel requirements.

The provincial government aims to promote biogas as an alternative energy source to reduce dependence on imported fuels and provide relatively affordable energy solutions, particularly in rural communities with large livestock populations.

A four point programme involving biogas digesters has also been developed to support production at household, community and commercial levels.

Areas with high livestock concentrations and large volumes of organic waste are expected to receive particular attention under the initiative, allowing waste that would otherwise remain unused to be converted into biogas and other useful energy products.

Opening commercial biogas projects to private investment could create new opportunities in Punjab’s renewable energy sector while also providing dairy and livestock businesses with additional avenues to generate value from animal waste.

Following approval by the provincial cabinet, the government is expected to finalise the investment framework, operational models and other conditions governing private sector participation in commercial biogas projects.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Land Records Authority has revised service charges for property transfers, mutations, e registration and a range of land record services for the financial year 2026,27, changing the cost structure for property transactions across the province.

Under the revised schedule, transactions processed through the e-registration portal for the sale and purchase of property will attract a service charge equal to 0.1% of the property value, subject to a minimum charge of Rs 3,600.

For transactions carried out through the Property Transfer System used by housing societies and development authorities, a service charge of Rs 3,000 per transaction has been fixed.

The revised mutation charges include Rs 1,200 for an ordinary mutation, Rs 2,100 for mutations processed through banks and Rs 11,200 for express mutation services.

Charges for land record documents have also been revised. An ordinary copy of a fard, mutation or girdawari will cost Rs900, while the express service for the same documents has been fixed at Rs 4,000.

The fee for a Green Property Certificate has been set at Rs 800, while a copy of the land record will cost Rs 5,000. A certified copy of a registered deed has been priced at Rs 1,400.

Banks and other institutions seeking verification of land records will be charged Rs 1,000 for each successful verification and Rs 700 for each unsuccessful transaction.

The revised schedule also fixes the fee for appointment of a local commission through e-registration at Rs 6,700, while filing a case through the Revenue Courts Management System will cost Rs 3,500 per case.

The new rates apply to services provided under the Punjab Land Records Authority and will affect property buyers, sellers, housing societies, development authorities, banks and other users of the provincial land record system.

PLRA has clarified that these charges relate to its service fees and do not replace other government levies. Stamp duty, registration fees and other applicable government charges will continue to be collected separately at rates notified by the Punjab Board of Revenue.

For property buyers and sellers, the revised schedule means that the overall cost of a transaction will need to take into account not only taxes and registration charges but also the updated PLRA service fees applicable to registration, mutation, record issuance and property transfer.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab’s flagship Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme has earned international recognition after the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2026 for expanding access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for low income families.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received the award at the global observance of World Habitat Day held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.

The chief minister, who attended the ceremony as a state guest, dedicated the international honour to the families who have constructed their homes under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme.

The award places Punjab’s housing initiative among five winners selected globally for contributions to housing, sustainable urban development and improved living conditions. The other 2026 winners represented initiatives and individuals from Myanmar, Brazil, Tunisia and the United Kingdom.

Maryam Nawaz was welcomed at the World Habitat Day ceremony by UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach along with other international participants. The award was presented during the global ceremony held under the theme of ensuring adequate housing for all.

The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme provides interest free financing to eligible low-income families to enable them to construct homes on land they already own. The initiative is being implemented through PHATA, Punjab’s principal public sector agency responsible for housing and town planning.

The provincial government has set a target of facilitating the construction of 500,000 homes over five years, with the programme aimed particularly at families who have traditionally faced difficulty accessing formal housing finance.

Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said the award belonged to the families whose dream of owning a home had become a reality through the programme. She reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to expanding affordable housing and ensuring that deserving families have access to secure shelter.

The chief minister also attended the opening of a special UN Habitat exhibition organised in connection with World Habitat Day and participated in other events associated with the global gathering in Muscat.

The UN Habitat Scroll of Honour, established in 1989, is one of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s most prominent international recognitions for individuals, institutions and initiatives that make significant contributions to housing, sustainable urban development and improvements in the quality of urban life.

The 2026 awards were presented to five winners selected from more than 100 nominations received from different regions of the world, highlighting projects and leadership addressing affordable housing, displacement, resilient construction and inclusive urban development.