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CategoriesNews Property Laws Property Taxes Real Estate Real Estate Investment

FBR to Refund Section 7E Tax on Properties Above Rs25mn After Court Strikes Down Law

ISLAMABAD: The FBR has agreed to refund tax collected on deemed rental income from immovable properties under Section 7E of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, months after Pakistan’s FCC struck the provision down as unconstitutional.

The relief follows sustained advocacy by the Lahore Tax Bar Association’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, whose chairman, Waheed Shahzad Butt, had repeatedly petitioned the FBR since the FCC’s May 7, 2026 verdict voided Section 7E in its entirety, along with all notices issued under the clause since its introduction through the Finance Act 2022.

In a letter dated September 23 to all Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue across large taxpayer, corporate, and regional offices, the FBR directed that it must not turn down revision requests filed in response to the court order and must process any refunds arising from such revisions without delay.

The reversal affects a wide pool of taxpayers, as Section 7E applied a 5% deemed-income tax on the FBR-assessed market value of properties worth more than Rs25 million.

Butt welcomed the move as a significant win for taxpayers, noting it would spare both the exchequer and litigants from prolonged legal battles. However, he clarified that the FBR’s directive is limited strictly to Section 7E and does not affect a separate, unresolved dispute over Super Tax under Section 4C, where the FCC upheld the levy but excluded certain exempt capital gains, including inherited property and long-held real estate.

Pending a broader refund mechanism, the LTBA-PILC has proposed adjusting amounts collected under both Section 7E and Section 4C against taxpayers’ FY26 liabilities, urging the FBR to extend similar expedited treatment to pending Super Tax claims.

CategoriesNews Property Taxes

FBR Initiates Regular Business Consultations to Address Tax Issues and Enhance Facilitation

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated a structured engagement process with the business community to improve tax administration, address operational challenges, and promote a more transparent trade environment. In this regard, FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial visited the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Lahore and met with a delegation from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Senior FBR officials and LCCI representatives attended the meeting, which focused on taxation matters, business facilitation, industrial concerns, and issues affecting the commercial sector.

The FBR Chairman emphasised the importance of regular communication with stakeholders and announced that similar meetings would be held monthly to ensure timely consideration of business-related concerns.

During the discussion, the LCCI delegation raised concerns about taxation procedures, digital invoicing, administrative responsiveness, industrial duties, and other operational matters. The delegation also appreciated FBR’s recent initiatives concerning areas such as real estate taxation, Super Tax, and advance tax measures.

The FBR Chairman said the department is working to resolve genuine taxpayer issues while focusing on expanding the country’s tax base and bringing eligible sectors into the formal tax system. He further directed relevant officials to prioritise resolving income tax refund matters and ensure timely responses to taxpayer concerns in accordance with legal procedures.

The initiative reflects FBR’s broader efforts to strengthen collaboration with businesses, improve compliance, and create a more efficient taxation framework. Regular dialogue between tax authorities and industry representatives is expected to support a stable business environment and enhance confidence among investors and commercial stakeholders.

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CategoriesNews Property Laws Real Estate

Islamabad Moves Towards Digital Transformation as CDA and MCI Integrate Services with PAK App

ISLAMABAD: The CDA and MCI have taken a major step toward building a digitally enabled capital by integrating key civic services into the PAK App. The initiative aims to improve public service delivery, increase transparency, and give citizens easier access to government services through digital platforms.

Under the new system, residents, businesses, and property owners can access multiple civic facilities online, reducing the need for in-person visits to government offices. The services being introduced include property tax access and payments, water bill management, parking permits, advertising permissions, open-space approvals, generator licences, and other municipal services.

The digital platform will allow users to submit applications, upload required documents, track application progress, make payments through digital channels, and register complaints electronically. The move is expected to streamline administrative procedures and create a more efficient, accountable service framework.

CDA and MCI stated that the initiative is part of their broader vision to develop a smart, modern, and citizen-focused Islamabad through technology-driven governance. The transition towards digital records and online processing is also expected to improve monitoring, reduce paperwork, and strengthen transparency across civic operations.

The development marks an important milestone in Islamabad’s digital transformation journey, supporting improved interaction between government institutions, citizens, and businesses while aligning the capital with modern urban management practices.

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CategoriesNews Property Taxes

Rawalpindi Excise Opens One-Window Centre to Speed Up Property Tax Services

RAWALPINDI: The Excise and Taxation Department Rawalpindi has launched a new One-Window Facilitation Centre to make tax-related services more accessible and efficient for citizens.

The facility will initially handle matters related to property tax, professional tax, and motor vehicle tax, allowing applicants to submit complaints and requests through a single point instead of visiting multiple departments.

Dedicated staff have been deployed at the reception area to receive applications and forward them to the relevant sections. Officials have been directed to resolve complaints and applications within two days, a move expected to reduce delays and repeated visits to the Excise office.

Director Excise and Taxation Rawalpindi Nauman Khalid will oversee the initiative and monitor the timely handling of public cases. The department says the system is intended to improve transparency, accountability and overall service delivery.

Plans are also in place to fully computerise the facilitation centre after the initial phase. The digital system is expected to improve record management, application tracking and monitoring of complaint resolution.

For property owners and businesses in Rawalpindi, the inclusion of property tax services is particularly significant, as it could simplify routine tax-related procedures and provide a more organised channel for resolving issues.

The initiative does not introduce any new property tax rates or changes in taxation policy. Instead, it focuses on improving the administrative process and making existing services more convenient for taxpayers.

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CategoriesNews Construction Developments Transport Urban Developments & Planning

Govt Sets December 15 Deadline for Six-Laning of M-4 Motorway Section

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set December 15 as the deadline for completing the expansion of a key section of the M-4 Motorway. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to accelerate work on its ongoing infrastructure projects.

Chairing a review meeting on development schemes in the NHA Central Region, the minister directed officials to widen the Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad section of the motorway from four lanes to six within the stipulated timeframe.

Officials briefed the meeting on the progress of various motorway and national highway projects. The minister then instructed the authority to adhere strictly to its prescribed targets and to speed up work on schemes currently underway.

Reviewing other projects, Mr Khan assessed the status of the Lodhran–Multan Expressway. He asked the NHA to expedite preliminary work on the Lala Musa Bypass on the N-5 National Highway. He also said that rehabilitation work on the Baba Farid Bridge over the River Sutlej would begin shortly.

The meeting also discussed projects to connect the Layyah and Taunsa bridges with adjoining highways in South Punjab. Regarding the Phool Nagar Interchange on the N-5, the minister stressed that construction must be of high quality. He also asked that all new infrastructure projects incorporate modern requirements.

Outlining his expectations for future highways, the minister called for modern lighting, quality infrastructure and properly developed rest areas. He further directed that the Islamabad–Murree Expressway serve as a model for planning and delivering new projects.

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CategoriesNews

445 Beds, $17 Million: Sindh Cabinet Approves New Edhi Medical Tower in Karachi

KARACHI: Karachi’s National Institute of Child Health will gain a new 13-storey wing after the Sindh cabinet signed off on the $17 million Bilquis & Abdul Sattar Edhi Medical Tower, a joint venture with the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation that will add 445 beds to the facility.

Under the arrangement, the Edhi Foundation is putting in $10 million, and the provincial government will match it with a $7 million grant, split evenly between FY27 and FY28. Faisal Edhi will head a supervisory committee to track construction progress and ensure public funds are accounted for.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the session, where ministers and senior officials worked through 23 agenda items touching agriculture, land records, healthcare, and provincial governance.

Wheat growers came away with one of the day’s bigger wins: a subsidy package worth close to Rs16 billion for those farming up to 25 acres. Every eligible grower qualifies for a flat DAP fertiliser subsidy, and anyone selling to the Food Department will now earn Rs2,000 per maund, double the previous rate.

The scheme is expected to reach roughly 550,000 farmers, building on a season in which more than 56,000 growers delivered over two million maunds from upward of 413,000 acres.

Disbursements will flow through Sindh Bank directly into Benazir Hari Card accounts once registrations are refreshed on an upgraded digital system. A separate call on the FY27 wheat support price has been put off pending further talks.

Elsewhere, the cabinet cleared a pilot for blockchain-backed land title transfers in three dehs, built with Sukkur IBA University and linked to FBR and NADRA databases, alongside a new provincial sports policy and a tax waiver worth over Rs555 million for a Karachi urology institute’s imported medical equipment.

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CategoriesNews Construction Developments Economy Property Real Estate Real Estate Investment Urban Developments & Planning

Punjab’s Digital Housing Scheme Bags UN Scroll of Honour, Ranks Among World’s Top Five

LAHORE: Punjab’s flagship housing initiative, ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar‘, has been named a recipient of the United Nations Scroll of Honour Award, placing it among the five most successful housing programmes worldwide this year.

UN-Habitat confirmed the honour following an extensive global review of housing initiatives, citing the programme’s role in extending safe, affordable shelter to low-income families. Only five schemes are chosen for the award internationally each year, making the recognition a notable achievement for the provincial government led by CM Punjab.

The award will be formally presented on October 5 during World Habitat Day, with the main ceremony taking place in Muscat, Oman. Related seminars and workshops on urban housing development are scheduled to run in the Omani capital from October 6 to 8.

Since its launch, the programme has disbursed roughly Rs260 billion in loans, enabling construction of more than 200,000 homes across two phases. The first phase accounted for over Rs196 billion in financing for 134,439 units, while the second added more than Rs62 billion for an additional 65,000 houses. Around 125,000 families have already moved into completed homes under the scheme.

Beyond the scale of financing, the programme is Pakistan’s first fully digital housing finance model, a feature officials say has helped streamline loan disbursement and construction tracking at scale.

The UN recognition adds to a string of accolades for the initiative, reinforcing its position as a reference model for low-cost housing delivery, both within Pakistan and among developing economies pursuing similar affordable-housing agendas.

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CategoriesNews

IRIS Outages Stall TY2026 Filings; LTBA Seeks Deadline Extension

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA PILC) has reported that the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) electronic filing system failed to support taxpayers attempting to submit their annual income tax returns and wealth statements for Tax Year 2026 on Tuesday, 15 September.

LTBA PILC Chairman Waheed Butt said taxpayers, tax practitioners and lawyers across the country encountered repeated technical faults, slow response times and service interruptions on the IRIS portal, leaving many unable to complete submissions within the prescribed window.

Butt maintained that the FBR’s IT wing needs to treat the matter as a priority and review how IRIS responds to consultants and legal representatives, so the return filing exercise is not pushed back further.

He argued that recurring system breakdowns place an avoidable burden on compliant filers and expose them to penalties for delays that originate within the tax authority’s own infrastructure rather than any lapse on the taxpayer’s part.

The LTBA chairman urged the department to identify what is driving the portal’s poor performance, expand server capacity, strengthen response infrastructure, and prepare the system for the sharp rise in traffic that ordinarily builds as the deadline approaches.

He added that the bar and its members are willing to assist FBR officials in mapping the specific technical bottlenecks reported by the filing community, while cautioning that a prompt remedy is essential if taxpayers are to be protected from unwarranted penalties, additional surcharges or the forfeiture of statutory rights arising from system-side failures.

Butt further asked the FBR to consider extending the filing deadline for Tax Year 2026 so that no genuine taxpayer is penalised for circumstances beyond their control.

CategoriesNews Economy Investment Property Laws Property Taxes Real Estate Investment

Faulty Formula in FBR’s New Tax Return Form Is Overcharging Taxpayers, Warns PTBA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tax Bar Association has urged FBR to urgently fix a calculation error in its new income tax return form, warning that it is charging some taxpayers more than the law actually requires.

In a letter to FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial, the PTBA said the fault lies in how the IRIS system handles “minimum tax,” a baseline amount already deducted or withheld on certain kinds of income that the law says should count in full toward a taxpayer’s minimum tax obligation.

Instead, PTBA says, IRIS splits a person’s income across different sources and taxes the remainder at an average rate, effectively piling an extra, unjustified demand on top of tax already paid.

To illustrate the unfairness, the bar association pointed out that two taxpayers earning the exact same income could end up owing different amounts, with the one who had tax withheld in advance actually paying more overall than someone who didn’t, purely because of how the system calculates things.

PTBA noted that the law already deals with a similar scenario correctly under the Final Tax Regime, where income taxed at source is treated as a separate block and excluded from normal-rate calculations. It says IRIS fails to make the same exclusion for minimum tax cases, meaning the same income essentially gets taxed twice.

The association has shared sample calculations with FBR to back up its claim and argued that building such formulas into the software amounts to interpreting the law itself, something it says neither FBR nor its technology arm, PRAL, has the authority to do, particularly since taxpayers have no option but to accept whatever the system generates.

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CategoriesNews Property Property Laws Property Taxes Real Estate Investment

Property Tax Windfall Signals Capital Flight Reversal, But Experts Warn of Real Estate Bubble Risk

Withholding tax collected from immovable property transactions climbed 57 percent in FY26, even as the government slashed advance tax on property purchases by half in the FY27 budget to encourage investment. The concession followed a marked surge in real estate prices, with plots in parts of Karachi reportedly multiplying in value within six months.

Analysts link the trend to reversed capital flight from the Gulf, particularly the UAE, as regional instability tied to the US-Iran conflict prompted funds once parked abroad to return.

Stronger remittance inflows and higher dollar liquidity from exchange companies have reinforced this shift, bolstering forex reserves and domestic liquidity.

However, concerns are mounting that this capital is settling into largely unproductive assets- vacant plots rather than industry or the stock market- which remains less attractive given its risk profile and a plateauing outlook.

Pakistan’s investment-to-GDP ratio continues to languish near record lows, with high taxation, weak industrial competitiveness, and regulatory hurdles cited as key deterrents to formal-sector investment. Some inflows reportedly still move through informal hundi-hawala channels, avoiding documentation altogether.

Officials are said to be exploring an investment vehicle for overseas Pakistanis to help finance $6.5 billion in public-private partnership projects, though critics argue such measures should have been introduced earlier.

A historical precedent is being cited: after Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests triggered a freeze on foreign currency accounts, banks led by HBL used incentive schemes to keep the resulting rupee liquidity within the formal banking system.

With regional tensions unresolved and capital inflows expected to persist, policymakers, the central bank, and commercial banks face renewed pressure to channel this liquidity into productive sectors or government securities before speculative pressures in real estate deepen further.

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