Punjab Province

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Director General Lahore Development Authority Tahir Farooq visited various ongoing development projects in the city and reviewed progress on the Data Darbar expansion project, the under construction Bhati Chowk Underpass and urban regeneration works around Lahore Railway Station.
During the visit, TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed briefed the DG LDA on project progress, construction quality, timelines and upcoming phases.
The briefing said development work on the piazza and parking area under the Data Darbar expansion project is under way, while finishing work on the pedestrian underpass and construction of stairways on both sides are also progressing rapidly. The DG LDA inspected different sections of the project and reviewed the quality of ongoing development work.
Tahir Farooq also visited the under construction Bhati Chowk Underpass, where he was informed that work on both ramps of the underpass is moving at a fast pace. Officials said work is under way on the walls, barrel and NJ barriers, while the drainage well and drain are also being constructed simultaneously.
The DG LDA directed that construction activities on the Bhati Chowk Underpass should continue uninterrupted day and night so that the project can be completed within the stipulated timeframe and citizens can be provided improved travel facilities at the earliest.
Later, the DG LDA inspected urban regeneration works around Lahore Railway Station. The briefing said work on the railway station parking area and related urban regeneration components is in its final stages.
Officials said an international standard automated parking system will be installed in front of the railway station, while foundation work for a dancing fountain in the parking area is also under way.
The briefing further stated that facade upgradation and uniform signage have been completed from the railway station to Circular Road, which will help improve the area’s aesthetics and urban management.
DG LDA Tahir Farooq directed officials to complete the beautification of the railway wall at the earliest, stressing that quality, speed and public convenience must remain the top priorities in all ongoing development projects.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved seven modern hospitals with a combined capacity of 1,519 beds under the Nawaz Sharif Medical City project.
Under the plan, specialised healthcare services in Punjab will be upgraded on modern lines. Facilities for surgery, orthopaedics, children’s healthcare, burn treatment and genetic diseases will be provided under one roof in line with international standards.
The meeting was informed that the Nawaz Sharif Medical City project will be completed in phases. The mega healthcare initiative aims to expand modern, integrated and specialised medical facilities for patients not only from Lahore but also from other districts of Punjab.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to ensure quality, transparency and timely execution of the project. She said the Punjab government was pursuing healthcare initiatives that would provide direct relief to the public and reduce dependence on costly private treatment.
The meeting also reviewed the performance of the Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the authority becoming fully functional after 19 years. A total of 110 proposed development projects under the public private partnership model were also reviewed, including hospitals, roads, modern student hostels, trucking terminals, model bazaars and the Lahore Time Travel Park.
Officials said the public private partnership model would help improve public facilities by utilising private sector expertise and investment without placing an additional burden on government resources.
Medical experts believe the establishment of seven modern hospitals with 1,519 beds could prove to be a major step forward for Punjab’s healthcare infrastructure, especially at a time when population pressure, rising treatment costs and overcrowding in public hospitals continue to strain the health sector.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has decided to introduce a risk based audit system under which a comprehensive risk register will be established to monitor taxpayers, suppliers and financial transactions.
Under the proposed framework, suspicious or high risk claims may be deferred, rejected or selected for audit. However, taxpayers will retain the right to a fair hearing and appeal before any action is taken against them.
The Finance Bill 2026 also proposes a significant increase in penalties. Under the new measures, failure to issue a tax invoice could result in a fine of Rs 500,000 for a first violation, while repeat offences may attract penalties of up to Rs1 million. A separate fine of Rs 500,000 has also been proposed for tampering with or bypassing the e invoicing system.
In addition, the PRA has proposed raising the financial threshold for initiating criminal proceedings in tax fraud cases from Rs 10 million to Rs 50 million.
Sources said the Finance Bill is also considering increasing the sales tax rate from 5 percent to 8 percent for a range of service sectors. These include restaurants, catering services, tour operators, property dealers, architects, rent a car services, gyms, fitness centres, laundry services, warehousing, equipment rental businesses, tax consultancy firms and real estate management services.
Different tax rates have also been proposed for information technology services based on the mode of payment. According to the proposal, IT services receiving payments through digital channels would be subject to an 8 percent sales tax, while services paid through other means would be taxed at 16 percent.
The bill further proposes the imposition of an 8 percent sales tax on event management services without the availability of input tax adjustment.