Punjab Province

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) announced its second public auction for the year 2026, scheduled to take place on May 19 at 10:00 AM at the Expo Centre Johar Town. The auction is being organized on the directives of Director General Tahir Farooq and is expected to offer diverse investment opportunities for investors and developers.
According to LDA officials, commercial plots located in major areas of the city will be presented in the auction, including Johar Town, Jubilee Town, LDA Avenue One, Allama Iqbal Town, and Tajpura. In addition, commercial plots in Sabzazar, Mustafa Town, LDA City, Model Town Extension, Quaid e Azam Town, and Tezab Market will also be part of the auction.
Residential plots in Johar Town, LDA City, LDA Enclave Mohlanwal, Jubilee Town, and Tajpura will also be offered to investors.
Officials further stated that, in addition to government owned properties, public utility sites located in private housing schemes will also be sold. Lease rights for education and health sites, petrol pumps, and market sites at various locations will be auctioned as well.
Moreover, lease rights for parking areas, sports sites, and commercial buildings will also be included in the auction. Notably, a petrol pump site in LDA City and market sites located in FTC Johar Town are expected to attract significant interest from investors.
Experts believe that this auction by LDA will create new investment opportunities in the city and play a key role in boosting activity in the real estate market.

Lahore: [Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan]
The DHA Estate Agents Association Phase 9 Prism has announced the holding of a transparent and merit-based balloting process for the allocation of container spaces.
According to the association, the initiative has received an exceptional response from the local community, with a total of 351 applications submitted so far. This reflects a clear expression of trust in the leadership of the association.
Organizers stated that the purpose of this process is to provide equal opportunities to all members and ensure allocation based on merit with complete transparency.
The balloting ceremony will be held on Monday, 27 April 2026, from 3 PM to 6 PM at the Defence Lemniscate Club (Ex Park View).
The association has requested all applicants to ensure their participation. It has been clarified that only those candidates who have submitted applications will be eligible to attend the event.
According to the organizers, the balloting process will be conducted with complete transparency to ensure that every member is given a fair and equal opportunity based on merit.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
In a significant move to stimulate the real estate sector, the Punjab government has reduced stamp duty on property transactions to a uniform rate of 1% across the province through the Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance 2026.
The ordinance, approved on April 10, replaces the previous structure under which urban areas were charged 1% while rural regions faced a higher rate of 3%. Officials say the new unified rate is aimed at reducing transaction costs, eliminating regional disparities, and making property transfers more straightforward.
According to official details, the amendment to the Stamp Act, 1899 standardises the duty on immovable property transactions at 1% and introduces additional provisions to regulate assignment and transfer agreements. Under the revised framework, transactions completed within 12 months will be subject to the 1% duty, while those extending beyond that period could face an increased rate of up to 2%, introducing a time-based mechanism.
Authorities believe the reform will enhance transparency, expand the tax base, and promote documented transactions, especially in rural and peri urban areas where higher duties previously discouraged formal registration.
A key feature of the ordinance is the introduction of the concept of an “assignable deed,” granting legal recognition to transferable agreements and helping bring informal property arrangements into the formal system.
As an ordinance, the measure has immediate legal effect but is temporary in nature, typically remaining valid for around 90 days unless formally approved by the Punjab Assembly.
Market analysts expect the reduction in stamp duty to lower overall transaction costs and encourage increased activity in the property market, particularly in regions where higher duties had previously acted as a barrier.