Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Revenue Authority has launched a major province wide crackdown against alleged irregularities, misappropriation and defaulters in the payment of services tax. During the operation, action has been taken against prominent food outlets, fast food chains and property developers in Lahore and other areas.
According to PRA officials, the financial records of 8 well known fast food chains, 12 food outlets and 4 property developers were examined in the initial phase. In Lahore, scrutiny of records belonging to 7 fast food chains, 2 desi food chains and one coffee shop revealed various discrepancies in tax returns, sales records and tax payments.
Officials said evidence has emerged that some businesses collected services tax from consumers but allegedly failed to deposit the full amount into the government treasury. Differences were also found between digital records, receipts and submitted tax returns, prompting detailed investigations.
PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra said the amount collected from the public in the name of services tax is a public trust and any misappropriation, forgery or manipulation of records will not be tolerated. He said businesses that collect tax but fail to transfer it to the government treasury will face strict legal action.
According to Moazzam Iqbal Sipra, heavy penalties may be imposed in cases involving false declarations in tax returns, tampering with digital records, use of fake or non integrated receipts and concealment of actual sales. He said the PRA is reviewing business activity through a modern digital monitoring system to improve transparency in the tax regime and increase revenue collection.
The PRA chairman also urged citizens to ensure they receive a proper PRA integrated receipt after making payments at any restaurant, food outlet, coffee shop or service provider. He said consumers’ insistence on receiving receipts can play an important role in curbing tax evasion and ensuring transparent revenue collection.
PRA officials said operations against tax defaulters and businesses involved in financial irregularities will be further intensified. The authority aims to ensure that taxes collected from the public are transferred to the government treasury on time, tax evasion is curbed and transparency is strengthened in the provincial revenue system.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
DHA management and the Transfer Branch have directed all members to strictly comply with rules and procedures related to property transfer, NDC, verification and site plan matters, making it clear that only one process can be carried out at a time on any plot or property.
In a statement issued by Chaudhry Tauqeer Asif, Director Information of the DHA Real Estate Agents Association, members were reminded that different processes cannot be run simultaneously and all cases must be completed according to the prescribed procedure.
According to the statement, if verification has been applied for a property, an NDC application cannot be submitted until the verification report is received. Similarly, if an NDC process is already under way, verification cannot be applied for at the same time.
DHA management further clarified that if a site plan has been applied for a plot, the site plan must first be received before the NDC process can be initiated.
The statement also said that once a normal NDC has been applied for, the case cannot be converted into the executive process. Members have therefore been advised to obtain a final decision from their clients regarding the normal or executive process before submitting an NDC application.
Chaudhry Tauqeer Asif urged all members to ensure that their documentation staff and relevant teams are fully briefed on these instructions so that unnecessary delays, objections and administrative complications can be avoided.
DHA management reiterated that only one process will be accepted at a time for any plot or property, and all applications will be dealt with in accordance with the prescribed rules.

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.