Laws & Taxes

The traffic police in Lahore have decided to strictly enforce rules against police officers using tinted glasses and non-standard number plates on their vehicles. Chief Traffic Officer Athar Waheed ordered that police vehicles must adhere to the same traffic regulations as the public, including removing black window tints and replacing unauthorized number plates. Violations will result in challans and legal action. This step aims to set a good example and ensure that no vehicle, including official ones, receives exceptions under the law

The Punjab government has banned the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws to combat severe air pollution. This move is part of a larger strategy that includes promoting electric and hybrid vehicles for all government departments, banning home vehicle washing, and enforcing penalties for environmentally harmful practices like burning plastic. The province has also expanded air quality monitoring and introduced digital tools for pollution tracking. These measures aim to improve public health by reducing smog and enhancing environmental standards throughout Punjab.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured that no passenger with genuine and complete travel documents will be barred from traveling abroad. During a visit to Islamabad Airport, he reviewed passenger concerns and ordered a crackdown on visa agents exploiting travelers. Naqvi stressed that only those with fake or incomplete documents would be denied boarding, as such actions harm Pakistan's reputation. He also addressed staffing issues at immigration counters and emphasized zero tolerance for agent mafias jeopardizing travelers' futures. The Federal Investigation Agency confirmed that legitimate passengers are being facilitated, and only those with suspicious documentation are stopped.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is launching a major renewal project to significantly upgrade its cybersecurity firewall. The project, which has an estimated budget range of Rs. 40 million to Rs. 120 million, will deploy Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) at its headquarters and regional offices. This upgrade aims to give the PTA enhanced control and resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats targeting Pakistan's digital and telecom systems

Federal government ministers are openly opposing the "excessive" mobile phone tax imposed by the PTA. The opposition includes a claim that even the PTA leadership is against the high tax burden. Critics warn the tax is restricting digital access for millions and slowing the country's technological progress. The Standing Committee on Finance has been urged to review the tax regime.

RAWALPINDI: Following instructions from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is developing a new online portal for the public. This platform will allow citizens to verify the legal status of any housing scheme or individual plot—checking if it is approved, under process, or illegal—before making investments. NAB is integrating data from both the RDA and CDA to enhance transparency and protect consumers from real estate scams and unapproved developments.

LAHORE: Punjab has enacted the Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025 to combat land grabbing. Penalties: Illegal property possession is now a criminal offense punishable by 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. Swift Justice: A new two-tier system is established:

The Appellate Tribunal of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has delivered a landmark ruling that the outright sale of developed plots by real estate developers is not a taxable service for provincial sales tax.This decision overturns previous judgments by holding that the tax law's charging section, which applies only to the "lease, license or similar arrangements" of immovable property (where ownership is retained), prevails over the schedule listing the developers' service. Consequently, transactions involving the transfer of full ownership (sale) fall outside the scope of the provincial sales tax.

Pakistan's forex reserves have recovered significantly, but stability remains managed by external support (IMF, rollovers), not secured by self-sufficiency. The economy faces huge continuous strain from debt servicing (around $22B annually) and a large trade deficit ($35B projected). Stagnant exports and reliance on imports keep the situation vulnerable. To secure stability, Pakistan must prioritize structural reforms focused on reducing import dependency and aggressively boosting exports and remittances. The current calm is only a temporary "base camp."