Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The 2025 floods in Pakistan disrupted an estimated 3.3 million jobs, with rural workers and the agriculture sector suffering the most significant losses, according to a new assessment by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The study, conducted across 14 of the hardest-hit districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, found that Punjab bore the brunt of employment disruptions. Nine districts in the province recorded the highest levels of job losses and damage to livelihoods.
Rural communities accounted for nearly 78 percent of total employment losses, underscoring the vulnerability of populations dependent on agriculture. The agriculture sector emerged as the worst affected, followed by services and industry, as widespread flooding severely disrupted economic activity.
While provincial compensation efforts provided immediate relief and supported resettlement, the report noted that these measures were insufficient to fully restore livelihoods. It emphasized the need for broader and sustained recovery support to help affected households rebuild income sources.
The ILO recommended measures such as cash for work programs, skills development initiatives, and subsidized credit to support small-scale farmers and non-farm businesses. These interventions aim to generate employment opportunities while revitalizing local economies.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, said the floods had deeply impacted self-employed individuals, daily wage earners, small farmers, and vulnerable rural households. He stressed the importance of targeted employment recovery programs to help communities regain stable incomes.
He added that the ministry, in collaboration with provincial governments and development partners, is focusing on employment-intensive recovery initiatives to restore livelihoods and strengthen economic resilience.
Geir Tonstol, Country Director of ILO Pakistan, highlighted that restoring employment must remain central to recovery efforts. He warned that the floods have increased economic vulnerability and called for timely action to support income recovery and build long-term resilience against climate-related disasters.
Tonstol also urged the revival of the “World of Work Crisis Response Strategy” developed after the 2022 floods to ensure future responses are more coordinated and focused on protecting jobs and livelihoods.
The assessment is part of a broader recovery initiative supported by international partners, including the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and the World Bank, with the United Nations Development Programme leading technical coordination.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Board of Directors of the Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PEDMC), chaired by Javed Iqbal, held its 173rd meeting and approved the provision of gas at subsidized rates up to the zero point for Quaid e Azam Business Park and Bhalwal Industrial Estate.
Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and Secretary Industries and Commerce Omar Masood attended the meeting via video link.
Other participants included Sajid Saleem Minhas, Mian Nauman Kabir, Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Shahzad Azam Khan, Dr. Shahid Raza, CEO PEDMC Captain (R) Shoaib Ali, COO Ali Muazzam Syed, and officials from the Finance Department.
The board also approved the expansion of the Jamia Mosque in Sundar Industrial Estate, the disposal of PEDMC’s scrap and assets, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Additionally, a committee was formed to oversee the sale of commercial areas and initiate commercial activities in Quaid e Azam Business Park.
Chairman Javed Iqbal stated that the provision of gas up to the zero point in industrial zones will ensure timely and affordable energy supply to industries, significantly reducing production costs. He added that PEDMC is committed to facilitating investors by improving infrastructure and services across its managed industrial zones.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
In a significant development, the Punjab Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of the enforcement of revised agricultural income tax rates, declaring the relevant government notifications procedurally flawed and legally ineffective.
The ruling was issued by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan during the 41st session of the provincial assembly while addressing a privilege motion moved by MPA Zulfiqar Ali Shah. In his decision, the Speaker directed the Excise and Taxation Department to halt all enforcement actions, including assessments and recoveries under the revised tax regime, with immediate effect.
The Speaker further instructed the provincial government to present the contested notifications before the Assembly within 15 days, along with a detailed explanation outlining the procedural shortcomings. Additionally, the matter has been referred to the Committee on Law Reforms and Delegated Legislation, which has been tasked with identifying responsibility and submitting its findings within one month.
The controversy stems from notifications issued on March 5, 2025, which revised agricultural income tax rates, followed by another notification dated September 10, 2025. The latter sought retrospective implementation from July 1, 2025. Lawmakers objected to these measures, arguing that they were not presented before the Assembly during the 2025–26 budget session, as mandated under Section 11(2) of the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax Act, 1997.
In his ruling, the Speaker emphasized that the authority to impose taxes lies with the legislature under the Constitution, and any delegated powers must adhere strictly to procedural requirements. He observed that failure to lay such notifications before the Assembly renders them legally void.
Terming the omission a breach of parliamentary privilege, the Speaker underscored the necessity of legislative oversight in taxation matters. He also cited relevant judicial precedents reinforcing the requirement that tax-related notifications must be formally presented before the House.
The ruling further clarified that any future revisions to agricultural income tax rates must be introduced and approved through the Assembly as part of the annual budget process to be enforceable. It also noted that taxpayers affected by the now-suspended notifications retain the right to seek legal remedies regarding any recoveries made under the revised rates.