Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has initiated a review of alternative electricity supply arrangements for Lahore's Sundar Industrial Estate and the Orange Line Metro Train, aiming to identify more competitive and commercially viable power procurement options for the two major electricity consumers.

The matter was discussed during a meeting chaired by Punjab Energy Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, where officials examined existing electricity supply arrangements, operational requirements and potential alternatives for procuring power at competitive rates.

A key focus of the meeting was the possibility of purchasing electricity through the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM), a framework designed to facilitate bilateral electricity transactions between eligible buyers and sellers, subject to applicable market rules and regulatory requirements.

The provincial government directed the relevant departments to prepare a comprehensive presentation covering the technical, financial and administrative requirements associated with implementing alternative electricity procurement arrangements.

Officials also considered the potential utilisation of available solar power generation resources as part of efforts to explore economically viable electricity supply options.

Sundar Industrial Estate, one of Punjab's significant industrial hubs, accommodates numerous factories, manufacturing facilities and warehouses. A reliable and competitively priced electricity supply is essential for businesses operating within the estate, where energy expenditure represents a substantial component of overall production and operating costs.

The proposed exploration of competitive electricity procurement could potentially reduce operating expenses for industrial units if suitable supply arrangements are secured at commercially viable rates.

However, any actual financial savings would depend on the final electricity purchase price, transmission and related charges, contractual conditions and other applicable costs.

The Orange Line Metro Train has also been included in the review, indicating the provincial government's interest in assessing alternative procurement models for major public transport infrastructure alongside industrial consumers.

Although both facilities require substantial electricity supplies, their operational characteristics and consumption patterns differ. Separate technical and commercial evaluations would therefore be necessary to determine the suitability of any proposed procurement arrangement.

Importantly, no final electricity supply agreement or revised tariff has been announced. The initiative remains at the evaluation stage, and the government has not disclosed the proposed supply capacity, electricity source, pricing structure or duration of any potential agreement.

The next stage will involve detailed technical and financial assessments before a decision on implementation can be made.

For businesses operating in Sundar Industrial Estate, the commercial implications will become clearer only if the proposal advances to an approved electricity supply agreement. Until then, existing electricity supply and billing arrangements will continue to determine operational energy costs.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has approved more than 224,000 interest-free housing loan applications under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, while the provincial cabinet has sanctioned an additional Rs60 billion to facilitate 40,000 more housing loans for eligible families across the province.

Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin shared the updated figures while reviewing the programme’s implementation and construction progress in various divisions.

The initiative is aimed at enabling eligible families to build homes on their own residential plots through interest-free financial assistance.

According to the available divisional figures, the programme has recorded significant beneficiary participation in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad, among other areas. The combined figure for eight divisions stands at 195,862.

In a separate development, the Punjab cabinet approved an allocation of Rs60 billion on October 20, 2026, to support another 40,000 interest-free housing loans.

The allocation represents an average provision of Rs1.5 million per loan, although actual disbursements will depend on the programme's financing arrangements and eligibility requirements.

The cabinet also decided against imposing stamp duty on loans under the housing scheme.

The figure of more than 224,000 approved loan applications represents cumulative approvals under the programme rather than loans newly sanctioned during October. The latest allocation of Rs60 billion is a separate financial commitment intended to expand the programme’s reach.

Importantly, loan approval, disbursement and completion of construction represent separate stages. Approval does not necessarily indicate that beneficiaries have received their full loan amounts or completed construction of their homes.

Construction activities financed through the programme are progressing across different parts of Punjab, while the additional funding is expected to extend interest free housing finance to more eligible households.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has introduced significant changes to its stamp duty system, exempting gift deeds between specified close relatives and reducing the duty on other gift deeds from two percent to one percent.

The changes have been introduced through the Stamp (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, issued by the Punjab governor to amend the Stamp Act, 1899. The ordinance was published in an extraordinary issue of the Punjab Gazette on October 20, 2026, and took effect immediately.

Under the revised framework, exchanges of immovable properties of equal value will attract a fixed stamp duty of Rs1,000. Government leases have also been exempted from stamp duty, alongside gift deeds between the specified categories of close relatives.

Residential tenancy agreements will be subject to fixed stamp duty ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs25,000, with the applicable amount determined by the annual rent.

The amendments also empower the Board of Revenue to amend and revise land valuation tables. The government has additionally decided to expand the e-stamping system.

The measures are intended to modernise stamp duty collection, address legal ambiguities and improve the administrative procedures governing revenue collection.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has told the National Assembly that the incumbent government has reclaimed 200,000 acres of railway land and pledged to recover all remaining railway land occupied by public and private entities.

Responding to questions from Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Nisar Ahmad Jatt, Pir Fazal Shah and Syed Rafiullah Shah during Question Hour, the minister outlined measures concerning the recovery of railway land and improvements to rail infrastructure.

Abbasi said work on the railway line from Karachi to Rohri would begin next year with support from the Asian Development Bank. He said 480 kilometres of new railway track would be laid at a cost of $2.5 billion.

The minister said the Karachi–Rohri section forms part of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, while discussions are continuing on laying the railway line from Rohri to Multan.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

The Sindh cabinet has approved the negotiated financing and implementation package for the $150 million Sindh Property Revenue Enhancement Programme (Sindh-PREP), advancing a major initiative to modernise urban property taxation and strengthen the financial management of local governments.

The programme seeks to improve the accuracy of urban property records, strengthen tax administration, increase revenue collection and develop more effective financial management systems for municipal institutions across the province.

The decision was taken during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on October 20, 2026.

According to the approved framework, one of the programme's principal objectives is to increase annual Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) collection across Karachi's 25 Town Municipal Corporations from the current Rs 2.3 billion to a target of Rs 25.5 billion during implementation.

The proposed increase represents an additional Rs 23.2 billion in annual property tax revenue, equivalent to approximately 11 times the existing collection level.

However, the target is dependent on the successful implementation of administrative reforms, accurate property assessments, broader tax coverage and improved collection efficiency.

Under the proposed financing structure, the World Bank will provide $150 million, comprising $110 million through a Programme-for-Results (PforR) component and $40 million through Investment Project Financing (IPF).

The Programme-for-Results mechanism links financing to the achievement and verification of specified performance targets, while the investment financing component is intended to support technical systems, institutional development and reform implementation.

The Sindh government will also provide a counterpart contribution equivalent to 20 percent of the Programme-for-Results component.

The cabinet approved the negotiated package covering financing and implementation arrangements, the programme's results framework, performance verification procedures and environmental and social commitments.

Beyond Karachi, the initiative is intended to strengthen property tax administration in other urban areas of Sindh.

The programme includes institutional capacity-building measures for 45 selected local councils and the introduction of an Integrated Financial Management Information System.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has approved a pilot project to transform 120 villages across the province into model settlements, focusing on improved rural infrastructure, sanitation and basic public services.

The initiative aims to upgrade existing villages through the development of sewerage systems, drainage networks and paved streets, while establishing local administrative mechanisms to oversee implementation and ensure community participation.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the project during a special meeting held in Lahore on October 20, 2026, where officials presented a comprehensive briefing on the proposed model village development programme.

The provincial government also decided to introduce the Khushhal Dehat Act 2026, a proposed legislative framework intended to support rural development and improve the management of village level infrastructure projects.

Under the initial phase, 120 villages will be selected for the pilot programme, with development activities to be coordinated through specially constituted village committees.

The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to establish these committees promptly and submit a comprehensive implementation plan.

According to the approved administrative arrangements, each village committee will comprise eight members, including four public representatives and four government representatives.

The relevant Assistant Commissioner will head each committee, while the Deputy Commissioner will supervise all village committees and development projects within the district.

The committees will include a local school headteacher, Union Council Secretary and a doctor from a Basic Health Unit or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic, alongside other relevant representatives.

These committees are expected to help identify community infrastructure requirements, coordinate development activities and monitor the quality of public works.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) has appointed Sultan Gohar, Chief Executive Officer of Lake City Holdings, as Chairman of its North Region for a two year term.

The appointment was formally approved by ABAD's Executive Committee, which expressed confidence that Gohar's experience in real estate development would help advance the interests of builders and developers across the region.

According to reports published on October 19 and 20, 2026, the association nominated Gohar to lead its northern regional operations and contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan's construction and property development industries.

ABAD welcomed the appointment and expressed the expectation that Gohar's professional background and leadership experience would support the association's efforts to address industry challenges and promote sustainable development.

Gohar is associated with Lake City Holdings, a prominent real estate development business involved in residential and community development projects in Pakistan.

His experience includes leadership and management responsibilities in the property development sector, providing him with practical exposure to challenges faced by private developers.

The appointment also marks his return to a position he has previously held within the association.

According to ABAD's official records of former regional chairmen, Gohar served as Chairman of the North Region during the 2022 23 and 2023 24 terms.

His latest appointment comes at a time when Pakistan's construction and real estate sectors continue to face challenges related to building material costs, taxation, regulatory approvals and access to development financing.

These issues remain important for private developers, particularly those undertaking residential and commercial construction projects that require substantial investment and coordination with regulatory authorities.

ABAD is a national representative organisation of builders and developers working to support private-sector construction activities and promote the development of Pakistan's housing industry.