Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to further tighten the ongoing crackdown against illegal Afghan nationals, directing district administrations and police across the province to intensify intelligence gathering, step up search operations and make the profiling of undocumented foreigners more effective.
According to sources, Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi has issued an important letter to all commissioners and regional police officers. The letter was sent after a high level meeting with the federal government on May 25, during which the strategy regarding the repatriation, monitoring and arrest of foreigners residing illegally in the country was reviewed.
Officials said that 15 to 30 illegal Afghan nationals are being traced and detained daily in different districts of Punjab, particularly in northern Punjab. In view of this situation, the provincial government has decided to further strengthen monitoring, reporting and operational coordination at the district level to make the campaign more organised and effective.
The Home Department has directed all deputy commissioners to prepare and submit detailed reports on every illegal Afghan national being kept at holding centres.
District administrations have also been instructed to compile details about the background of each arrest, previous hideouts, movement routes and the individuals or networks allegedly involved in providing accommodation, logistical support or protection.
The letter stated that undocumented foreigners present in holding centres could provide highly important information to law enforcement agencies. Deputy commissioners and district police officers have therefore been directed to use the information obtained from them for meaningful intelligence based and search operations.
Under the revised reporting mechanism, districts will no longer be required to provide only the number of newly arrested illegal Afghan nationals. They will also have to explain how such individuals were identified, where they had been hiding, how their accommodation was arranged and how they managed to avoid arrest during previous operations.
Officials have been informed that the entire process will be closely monitored by the Home Department. Deputy commissioners and DPOs have been directed to take personal responsibility for the campaign so that no negligence or weak coordination occurs at the field level.
Copies of the letter have also been sent to all divisional commissioners and regional police officers for immediate implementation and operational coordination. Officials said the policy is part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security, regulate undocumented migration and improve the border control system.
Security officials said Punjab has become a key focus of the campaign because a large number of undocumented Afghan nationals leaving border areas and other provinces were attempting to take temporary shelter in urban and semi urban areas of central and northern Punjab to avoid identification.
Officials said many undocumented individuals frequently change their places of residence, use informal tenancy arrangements and evade routine verification and search operations with the help of local facilitators. For this reason, the new strategy gives basic importance not only to arrests but also to identifying facilitator networks, secret hideouts and patterns of movement.
Senior security analysts said the Punjab government’s new policy reflects a clear shift from conventional actions toward intelligence led operations. The objective of this strategy is not only to identify people living illegally in the country but also to reach those elements that provide them with shelter, mobility or other forms of assistance.
Officials said the campaign is aimed only at individuals residing in the country without legal documents. Operations will continue under federal policy guidelines in coordination with provincial governments, district administrations, police and law enforcement agencies.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The federal government is considering major tax relief for property buyers and sellers in the upcoming FY2026-27 budget, as part of a broader plan to reduce transaction costs in the real estate sector and encourage fresh investment, particularly from overseas Pakistanis.
According to sources, authorities are actively reviewing proposals to reduce withholding tax and capital gains tax on the purchase and sale of immovable properties. The proposed measures are expected to be made part of the Finance Bill 2026, which will outline the government’s taxation and revenue strategy for the next fiscal year.
The move comes at a time when the real estate and housing sectors have been facing slower activity due to high transaction costs, increased taxation and weak investor confidence. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly argued that heavy taxes on property transactions have discouraged genuine buyers, reduced market liquidity and slowed housing related investment.
Officials believe that lowering transaction taxes could help revive buying and selling activity in the property market and create a more investment friendly environment.
The expected relief is also being viewed as part of the government’s wider effort to attract overseas Pakistanis, who remain an important source of investment in residential and commercial real estate.
As part of these measures, the Federal Board of Revenue has already reduced the valuation of immovable properties by 30 percent to 35 percent in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Bahawalpur and Gujranwala. The revised valuations came into effect on April 22, 2026.
According to reports, the FBR has informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that discussions are underway with the International Monetary Fund regarding a possible reduction in withholding tax rates on property transactions. Any final decision is expected to be linked with the overall fiscal framework and revenue targets agreed for the next budget.
The government is also considering harmonising provincial deputy commissioner rates with FBR property valuation rates. Officials believe this step could simplify the property taxation structure, reduce confusion for buyers and sellers, and bring more transparency to real estate transactions.
Real estate sector experts say tax rationalisation is essential if the government wants to bring investment back into the formal property market. They argue that lower transaction costs can encourage documentation, improve investor confidence and support construction and housing activity across major urban centres.
Muhammad Ahsan Malik, a senior real estate analyst, said the government is committed to facilitating overseas Pakistanis and promoting both foreign and domestic investment in the property sector. He said a reduction in taxes and transaction costs could help attract more capital into housing and real estate development.
The proposed relief, if approved in the federal budget, could become one of the most significant policy measures for the property sector in recent years. However, the final shape of the tax package will depend on budget negotiations, IMF discussions and the government’s revenue priorities for FY2026-27.

Dera Ismail Khan | ReNews Pakistan
Dera Ismail Khan International Airport is moving closer to reopening after remaining closed for nearly a decade, as rehabilitation and repair work at the facility enters its final stages.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi visited the airport on Friday to review progress on efforts aimed at restoring flight operations. The airport has been closed since 2015, affecting air connectivity for Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding areas.
During the visit, officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority briefed the governor on the status of rehabilitation work, operational preparedness and remaining requirements before commercial flights can resume. The briefing covered repair activity, runway condition, technical arrangements and other measures needed to make the airport functional again.
Speaking to reporters, Governor Kundi said runway carpeting had been completed and the remaining work would also be finalized soon. He said the airport could be made ready for operations once essential requirements, including equipment, staffing, safety assessments and audits, are completed.
The governor stressed that any shortage of machinery, technical equipment or staff should be addressed on priority so that flight operations can be restored in a safe and organized manner. He said all mandatory safety checks would have to be completed before commercial flights are allowed to resume.
Kundi expressed hope that commercial operations at Dera Ismail Khan International Airport would be restored soon. He said discussions would be held with South Air regarding potential flights to Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral, adding that other private airlines would also be encouraged to expand air services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the restoration of flight operations would improve regional connectivity, support business activity and provide better travel facilities to residents of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The reopening of the airport is also expected to benefit nearby districts that depend on Dera Ismail Khan as an important administrative and commercial centre.
The governor also shared details of the proposed Green Field International Airport project, which is planned to be developed on more than 1,700 acres. He said the proposed facility would have the capacity to handle more than one million passengers annually.
According to Kundi, a site near Yarik in Dera Ismail Khan remains the preferred location for the new airport. He described the location as the most suitable option for the wider region due to its accessibility and future development potential.
Separately, the governor announced that work on the dualization of the N 55 Dera Paroa Road would begin soon. He said the tendering process for the road project had already been completed, and construction activity would start in the near future.
Officials believe the rehabilitation of the existing airport, along with the proposed new airport and road development plans, could significantly improve transport infrastructure in Dera Ismail Khan and strengthen the region’s long term connectivity.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Protection of Properties of Overseas Pakistanis Act 2024 has been enforced to safeguard the properties of Pakistanis living abroad, under which special courts will be established across the country.
According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, the new law is aimed at protecting the properties of overseas Pakistanis from illegal occupation, forgery and property related disputes. A special judicial mechanism will be introduced under the law to ensure the speedy disposal of such cases.
According to the statement, overseas Pakistanis will be provided full legal rights regarding their properties so they can effectively take part in the protection of their assets and legal proceedings while living abroad.
The new law will also provide the facility of electronic filing, allowing overseas Pakistanis to submit applications and relevant documents online. In addition, the facility of participation in hearings through video link will also be provided so applicants can pursue their cases without travelling to Pakistan.
Officials said the establishment of special courts would help speed up the resolution of illegal occupation and ownership disputes involving properties, while also strengthening the confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the legal system.
According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, the law is an important step for the protection of the interests of overseas Pakistanis, as a large number of Pakistanis living abroad have long been facing issues such as property occupation, forged documents and delays in court proceedings.
Officials said that after the enforcement of the new law, property related complaints would be handled on a priority basis, while efforts would be made to make the legal process more transparent, effective and accessible.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s major water and hydropower projects are once again facing scrutiny as concerns over delays, cost escalation, compensation disputes and weak oversight revive long standing questions about governance in public infrastructure development.
The latest concerns surrounding Diamer Basha Dam and the Tarbela 5th Extension project have highlighted problems that have repeatedly affected major national schemes. These include delayed approvals, rising costs, questionable management decisions, weak technical supervision and limited accountability after projects fall behind schedule.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has expressed frustration over escalating costs and delayed revisions of project documents, particularly in the case of Diamer Basha Dam. The approved cost of the project has increased significantly since 2018, while revised documents reportedly remained pending for years.
The Tarbela 5th Extension project has also witnessed major cost escalation, with questions being raised about project management standards, consultant selection and transparency in decision making.
Observers say these are not minor administrative lapses. Projects involving hundreds of billions of rupees require strict financial discipline, transparent monitoring and strong technical oversight. When delays and cost revisions become routine, public confidence in national development planning is seriously affected.
The Neelum Jhelum project continues to serve as a warning example. Poor planning, technical flaws, delayed maintenance and weak supervision turned a major national asset into a long term financial burden.
The Mangla compensation issue reflects another side of the same governance challenge. Thousands of people displaced by a national infrastructure project are reportedly still awaiting compensation years after commitments were made. Experts say unresolved claims, delayed payments and bureaucratic inertia undermine both public trust and social stability.
Pakistan genuinely needs water storage and hydropower projects. Energy shortages, water stress and climate vulnerability make reservoir expansion and clean power generation essential for long term national stability. However, the strategic importance of these projects cannot become an excuse for weak governance.
There is also a wider fiscal concern. Every major cost overrun adds pressure to public finances, future development spending and electricity costs. Such inefficiency is ultimately transferred to taxpayers, consumers and future budgets.
Policy experts argue that large strategic projects should be subject to mandatory half yearly public progress reports. These reports should include timelines, cost revisions, technical milestones, procurement decisions and reasons for delays.
They say Pakistan’s infrastructure ambitions will remain trapped in a cycle of delay and regret unless accountability becomes real, transparency becomes routine and project governance is treated with the seriousness these investments demand.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has offered the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank partnership opportunities in major housing, transport, water, sanitation and urban development projects across the province.
The offer was made during a meeting in Lahore with AIIB Chief Investment Officer Konstantin Limitovskiy. AIIB Director General Xiaohong Yang was also part of the delegation. The meeting focused on potential institutional cooperation in development initiatives aimed at improving public services, urban infrastructure and climate-sensitive planning in Punjab.
During the meeting, the chief minister briefed the AIIB delegation on ongoing provincial development programmes and highlighted the government’s priority projects.
She said Punjab was moving ahead with a broad reform and development agenda focused on housing access, modern transport, clean water supply, sanitation, healthcare and urban governance.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif particularly mentioned the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme, describing it as one of the province’s flagship public welfare initiatives. She said the programme had delivered more than 100,000 homes within one year, providing housing support to families across Punjab.
The chief minister also briefed the delegation on electric bus and e-bike programmes being introduced to promote environmentally friendly transport. She said Punjab was working to modernise public transport through cleaner mobility options and better urban connectivity, while reducing pressure on existing transport systems.
Water and sanitation projects also came under discussion during the meeting. Maryam Nawaz said Punjab was already cooperating with AIIB in Lahore’s water and sanitation sector through an MoU aimed at improving infrastructure. She said planned projects included wastewater drainage systems, water treatment facilities and other urban service improvements.
According to the chief minister, Punjab’s development approach is based on data-driven planning, climate-sensitive governance and improved service delivery. She said the provincial government wants to expand partnerships with international development institutions for sustainable infrastructure and long-term public benefit.
The AIIB delegation and the Punjab government expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in infrastructure and development sectors. Both sides agreed that housing, clean transport, water, sanitation and urban development offered important opportunities for future collaboration across the province.