Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Authorities have decided to further tighten enforcement of environmental regulations governing construction projects to curb air pollution and rising levels of dust in urban areas, directing developers, construction firms and contractors to strictly comply with prescribed dust-pollution control standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken notice of the spread of dust and soil from construction activities in Lahore and issued notices to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). Environmental officials made it clear that all construction projects must ensure strict compliance with prescribed environmental requirements aimed at controlling dust and particulate pollution.
According to officials, dust, soil and construction debris spilling from construction sites onto roads, residential areas and surrounding locations contribute to deteriorating air quality. Effective dust-control measures are therefore being made mandatory at construction sites.
Under the new measures, construction sites will be required to install mist sprinkler systems to suppress airborne dust particles through fine water sprays. Contractors will also have to install barriers or screens at least 10 feet high around construction sites to prevent dust and soil from spreading into nearby areas.
Environmental authorities have also issued strict instructions regarding vehicles transporting soil and construction debris. Such vehicles will be required to operate at reduced speeds and take effective precautionary measures to prevent construction material from spilling onto roads and surrounding areas.
Officials warned that construction projects and contractors found violating prescribed dust-control regulations will face enforcement action, including fines.
Experts say dust generated by construction activity is a significant contributor to urban air pollution, particularly in major cities where road works, housing developments, commercial buildings and infrastructure projects are expanding rapidly. The absence of effective dust-control systems at such sites can further worsen air quality.
Authorities said stricter enforcement of environmental regulations is aimed not at restricting development activity but at reducing air pollution, dust levels and potential health risks in urban communities. The construction sector has been urged to ensure that development projects proceed alongside full compliance with environmental responsibilities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The elected management body of the DHA Estate Agents Association Lahore held an important meeting on September 8, 2026, to review preparations for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), including its schedule, as well as key administrative and constitutional matters concerning the association.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming AGM and discussed various administrative issues, with necessary matters taken forward for finalisation. Members of the management body also deliberated on the association’s future, administrative affairs and measures aimed at strengthening its representation of the real estate community.
A major focus of the meeting was the proposed amendments to the constitution of the DHA Estate Agents Association. The participants held detailed legal and constitutional consultations and expressed unanimous agreement on the amendments, maintaining that the changes were aimed at serving the broader interests of the community, strengthening the association’s representation and improving its institutional framework for the future.
Information Director Chaudhry Touqeer Asif said the management body would fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibilities regarding the amendments and would defend them at every appropriate forum whenever necessary. He added that the community would be kept informed of all important developments in a timely, clear and transparent manner.
Meanwhile, the association reminded all members that September 30, 2026, is the deadline for payment of DHA and Association fees. Under the new constitution, payment of both fees is mandatory for members to retain their right to vote.
The association urged members not to wait until the deadline and to clear their DHA and Association dues before September 30 to ensure that their voting rights remain intact.
According to the management body, timely payment of the fees is not merely a financial obligation but is directly linked to members’ right to vote, effective representation and their role in shaping the future of the association.
Chaudhry Touqeer Asif urged all members to fulfil their responsibility and ensure payment of both fees before the deadline, stressing that active community participation, voting and a collective voice are fundamental to building a strong and representative association.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Property owners across Punjab have a limited window to avail a 5% rebate on property tax, with the provincial Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department stating that taxpayers who pay their full annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30, 2026, can benefit from the concession.
According to property tax information issued by the Excise Department, taxpayers are entitled to a 5% rebate on their annual property tax if the full amount is paid within the prescribed period. The incentive is aimed at encouraging timely tax payments and improving government revenue collection.
To qualify for the rebate, taxpayers must pay their complete annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30. Once the deadline passes, the rebate will no longer be available, while delayed payment may increase the taxpayer's overall financial liability.
For example, a property owner with an annual tax liability of Rs100,000 can save Rs5,000 through the 5% rebate and pay Rs95,000 to settle the annual tax liability. Similarly, a taxpayer liable to pay Rs50,000 in annual property tax can save Rs2,500 by making the payment within the prescribed deadline.
According to the Excise Department, property tax is levied on taxable buildings and land in urban areas, while the assessment takes into account factors including the nature, use and location of the property, along with other applicable legal and administrative considerations.
The September 30 deadline is important not only for securing the rebate but also because delayed payment can create an additional financial burden for taxpayers. Under the department's property tax guidelines, a 1% late-payment surcharge may be imposed for each month of delay after the prescribed deadline.
As a result, property owners who fail to clear their tax dues by September 30 could lose the 5% rebate while also becoming liable for additional charges arising from delayed payment.
The deadline is particularly significant for owners of large residential and commercial properties, rental properties, shops, plazas and other taxable real estate assets, making timely payment important for avoiding additional costs.
The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has also introduced a range of digital facilities for property taxpayers, enabling citizens to access tax-related services without making repeated visits to government offices. Its online platform provides information on property tax, online self-assessment, a property tax calculator and other related services.
Citizens can use these facilities to obtain information about their property tax, review outstanding liabilities and access guidance regarding available digital payment options.
Property tax records maintained by the department also contain information relating to property ownership, possession, use and annual rental value. Punjab is also expanding the use of digital technology, including Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, to modernise the property-tax administration system.
The Excise Department also provides exemptions or special concessions to certain categories of properties and taxpayers under applicable laws. These may include certain small residential properties, specified government-owned properties, religious buildings and other categories covered under the relevant legal provisions. However, eligibility for any exemption remains subject to applicable conditions.
Property owners are therefore advised to verify their individual tax status and liabilities according to the records maintained by the Excise Department.
Timely payment of property tax is not only an important source of government revenue but also plays a significant role in maintaining accurate and updated tax records for property owners.
Under the department's current instructions, eligible taxpayers who pay their complete annual property tax in a lump sum by September 30, 2026, can avail themselves of the 5% rebate. Property owners have been advised to review their tax liabilities and records well before the deadline and complete payment in time rather than waiting until the final days.
The September 30 deadline therefore carries direct financial significance for property owners across Punjab, as timely payment can provide a 5% saving, while failure to pay within the prescribed period could result in the loss of the rebate as well as additional financial liability in the form of late-payment charges.