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Stay informed with the latest developments in real estate, business, and investment trends across Pakistan and beyond. Chakor News delivers timely updates, expert insights, and market analysis to help you make informed decisions. Whether it’s project launches, economic shifts, or updates on regulatory changes, our news coverage keeps you ahead of the curve. Explore reliable stories, impactful headlines, and trusted reporting—only on Chakor News.

CategoriesNews

FBR extends manual tax filing deadline, introduces new facilitation measures

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for manual income tax return filing to November 30, while announcing a series of facilitation measures to support taxpayers under its digitalisation initiative.

According to an official statement, dedicated help desks and special facilitation cells are being established in all tax offices to assist individuals filing returns manually. These centers will provide free registration support, online filing guidance, and legal assistance through FBR’s field offices.

The FBR said the initiative aims to improve taxpayer convenience, ensure transparency, and promote a fully digital and efficient tax system across Pakistan.

In a related development, the FBR has drafted amendments to the Income Tax Rules 2002, proposing that individual taxpayers submit income tax returns and withholding statements electronically. The draft, issued under Section 237(1) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, has been opened for public feedback.

Officials stated that the reforms are designed to encourage the use of technology in tax administration, streamline return filing, and enhance data management for greater fiscal accountability.

CategoriesNews

Islamabad enforces emission tests, bans open-air waste burning to combat smog

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the federal capital have introduced new measures to curb smog and improve air quality, making carbon emission testing mandatory for all vehicles and banning open-air garbage burning across the city.

The decisions were made in a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, attended by senior officials and environmental experts. Under the directives, brick kilns and industries must shift to eco-friendly technologies, with non-compliant units facing legal action and demolition.

Chairman Randhawa said the steps align with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for environmental protection, directing strict enforcement of Pak-EPA regulations and dust control at construction sites.

Environmental expert Rizwan Mehmood recommended prioritizing pollution-absorbing tree species in plantation drives and promoting carpooling to cut vehicular emissions.

Officials noted that the measures aim to reduce smog and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for Islamabad’s residents.

CategoriesDevelopments News

No relief for Rawalpindi residents; gridlock returns with launch of Kacheri Chowk project

RAWALPINDI: The long-anticipated Rs14 billion Kacheri Chowk remodeling project has officially begun, triggering severe traffic congestion across the city as major routes were sealed and diversions were put in place.

According to officials, construction includes a flyover and underpass at Kacheri Chowk worth Rs6.6 billion, another similar structure near Jinnah Park costing Rs5.2 billion, and an additional underpass on Iftikhar Janjua Road valued at Rs2.7 billion. Work is scheduled to conclude within six months, with the main structure expected to be completed in four.

Excavation began late Sunday night, and contractors will continue work round the clock to expedite completion. However, the project’s launch brought immediate challenges. Over 250,000 vehicles pass through Kacheri Chowk daily, and the closure has caused gridlock across major arteries.

Alternate routes, including the stretch from Chaklala Scheme-III to the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, are in poor condition, riddled with potholes and encroachments, worsening commuter distress.

Between 35,000 and 40,000 daily visitors to the District Courts have been particularly affected. The Rawalpindi District Bar Association raised concerns about the lack of parking facilities and announced plans to meet with district officials to discuss compensation and traffic management.

Commissioner Aamir Khattak described the project as a “mega development initiative” and a “gift” from the Punjab government, acknowledging the initial inconvenience but assuring citizens that the situation would improve soon. He directed the traffic police and local administration to ensure smooth flow on diversion routes and ordered immediate repair work on damaged roads

The City Traffic Police confirmed that additional officers have been deployed across the city to manage diversions. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel toward Kacheri Chowk and plan for an additional 25 to 30 minutes of travel time during peak hours.

Despite the current gridlock, officials emphasized that the project aims to permanently ease congestion in Rawalpindi’s busiest corridors and provide a signal-free route from Kacheri Chowk to the motorway junction once completed.

CategoriesConstruction Developments News Real Estate Urban Developments & Planning

Faisalabad accelerates road rehabilitation under “Sarakain Bahal – Safar Asaan” initiative

FAISALABAD – The city’s road infrastructure is being rapidly upgraded under the ongoing ‘Sarakain Bahal – Safar Asaan’ program, as repair and restoration work gains momentum along Sheikhupura Road up to Nishatabad Bridge.

Divisional Commissioner and Administrator Municipal Corporation Faisalabad, Raja Jahangir Anwar, said the government is utilizing all available resources to improve road conditions and provide residents with safer, smoother, and more convenient travel options. He emphasized that the initiative reflects the Punjab government’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility and public convenience across the province.

Alongside road repairs, anti-encroachment operations are underway throughout the city, including Faisalabad’s eight main bazaars, to reclaim public spaces and ensure unobstructed pedestrian and traffic movement. Authorities are also restoring traffic signals, illuminating streetlights, and completing asphalt work on link roads and inner streets to improve citywide connectivity.

Raja Jahangir Anwar noted that municipal services will continue uninterrupted during the development work and reaffirmed that the improvement drive will persist until Faisalabad’s infrastructure aligns with the standards envisioned by the Chief Minister of Punjab.

The “Sarakain Bahal – Safar Asaan” program is part of the Punjab government’s broader effort to modernize urban infrastructure, promote civic development, and facilitate efficient, safe travel for citizens across major cities.

CategoriesConstruction News

Work on Kachehri Chowk flyovers and underpasses to start in early November

RAWALPINDI: The long-awaited remodeling of Kachehri Chowk, one of Rawalpindi’s busiest intersections connecting the city, cantonment area, and GT Road, is scheduled to begin in early November. Work has already commenced on the University side, with the formal launch expected in the first week of the month.

According to officials, the project includes the construction of flyovers and underpasses stretching from Police Annex Chowk to University Chowk to ease severe congestion at the intersection, which sees more than 200,000 vehicles pass daily. Once construction begins, Kachehri Chowk will be fully closed to traffic.

The City Traffic Police has issued a detailed diversion plan to manage the expected disruption. Traffic from Rawat T-Chowk to the Old Airport will be rerouted via Bahria Town Phase-I and Gulraiz, while vehicles from Jhelum Road heading toward Peshawar Road, the Motorway, or Saddar will be diverted through Morgah Turn, Defence Road, and other designated routes.

Additional officers will be deployed in three shifts, with regular updates shared through public address systems and media platforms.

The project was initially proposed as Pakistan’s first double underpass scheme, but was terminated in 2023 due to high costs, land acquisition challenges, and security concerns. The estimated project cost now stands at Rs6.4 billion.

Meanwhile, the Communication and Works Department is overseeing several complementary infrastructure initiatives, including the Rs2.3 billion Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk and the Rs4.39 billion Mall Road underpass project. 

Once completed, these developments are expected to create a signal-free corridor from Kachehri Chowk to the motorway junction, significantly improving traffic flow across the city.

CategoriesClimate Change News

Flood-hit Pakistani farmers to sue German energy and cement giants for climate damage

ISLAMABAD: A group of 43 farmers from Pakistan’s Sindh province has initiated legal action against two German companies, RWE and Heidelberg Materials, alleging that their greenhouse gas emissions contributed to the catastrophic floods that struck Pakistan in 2022.

Lawyers representing the farmers have sent formal letters before action to the two firms, signaling their intention to file lawsuits in December if the companies do not acknowledge liability or agree to compensation. The farmers estimate their total damages at about €1 million after losing two rice and wheat harvests when their land remained submerged for over a year.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan was the country most affected by extreme weather events in 2022, when monsoon rains flooded one-third of the country, killing at least 1,700 people, displacing 33 million, and causing economic losses estimated at $30 billion.

Figures from the Climate Accountability Institute attribute 0.68% of global industrial greenhouse gas emissions since 1965 to RWE and 0.12% to Heidelberg Materials. RWE said it could not comment beyond what had appeared in the media, while Heidelberg confirmed receiving a legal letter and said it was reviewing the matter.

The case forms part of a growing wave of international climate litigation, following recent actions in Europe and Asia against major emitters. It follows a previous case brought against RWE by a Peruvian farmer, in which a German court ruled that companies could, in principle, be held liable for climate-related damages, though that claim was ultimately dismissed.

The Pakistani farmers’ legal team plans to present studies linking human-induced climate change to the 2022 floods. The action is supported by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which is also backing a similar case against Swiss cement company Holcim. If the firms do not respond, the case is expected to be filed in Germany in December.

CategoriesNews

Punjab imposes ban on unplanned urban development to curb environmental damage

LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on unplanned urban development activities that violate district master plans, aiming to control unregulated expansion and protect the province’s green spaces.

During a meeting at the Housing Department, it was decided that the approval of all private housing societies will now be strictly in line with district master plans.

Officials have been instructed to ensure rigorous scrutiny before granting approvals to prevent violations that contribute to environmental degradation.

A spokesperson for the department stated that unplanned urbanization has led to the destruction of green spaces and a rise in smog levels.

The spokesperson added that the government’s top priorities include protecting citizens’ lives and property, as well as promoting sustainable development.

He further noted that comprehensive planning is underway to regulate private housing societies across the province, with the new measures expected to help preserve green zones and improve air quality.

In a separate development, Pakistan Railways has terminated a 25-year-old contract for coolie, luggage, and parcel handling at Lahore Railway Station.

The station manager will now oversee these operations directly, ending the requirement for porters to pay commissions to contractors.

CategoriesNews

Amid rising smog, Punjab government mandates face masks for police, workers

LAHORE: The Punjab government has made face masks mandatory for all traffic police officers and “Suthra Punjab” field workers as part of a province-wide effort to tackle worsening smog conditions. The directive comes after Lahore was ranked the second most polluted city in the world, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 218, just behind Delhi.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who heads the environment department, said the measure aims to protect frontline workers regularly exposed to vehicular emissions and hazardous air. She added that the provincial machinery is fully mobilized to combat smog and protect public health.

Authorities have attributed the recent surge in pollution to stubble burning and Diwali fireworks in Indian Punjab, with polluted winds drifting into Lahore and Kasur from neighboring Indian cities such as Amritsar, Patiala, and Ferozepur. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (India) has identified 663 villages as stubble-burning hotspots, contributing significantly to cross-border pollution.

In response, the LDA, WASA, PHA, LWMC, and EPA have launched anti-smog operations involving water sprinkling, anti-smog guns, and dust control at construction sites. Emission monitoring has been intensified for vehicles, brick kilns, and industries, while Lahore’s entry points now have stricter inspection checkpoints.

The newly established Smog Monitoring and Control Center is now fully operational, gathering real-time data to support timely government action. According to forecasts, Lahore’s AQI is expected to stay between 210 and 240, with winds of 3–6 km/h, which will gradually improve air quality in the coming days.

The Punjab government has urged citizens to wear masks, avoid unnecessary travel, and limit outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly, and respiratory patients. It has also encouraged residents to plant greenery to help absorb airborne pollutants.

CategoriesNews

Smog offenders busted: Lahore Police go after dirty air culprits

LAHORE: Lahore Police have intensified their operations against individuals and businesses contributing to environmental pollution as part of the city’s ongoing anti-smog campaign.

According to a statement issued on Monday, police have arrested 83 people and registered 77 cases during the latest phase of the drive. Of those detained, 68 individuals were apprehended for emitting harmful smoke from factories, brick kilns, and vehicles, nine were caught burning tires, plastic, and shopping bags, and six were caught burning crop residue.

The arrests were made across multiple divisions, including 42 from Saddar, 14 from City, 13 from Cantt, six from Civil Lines, five from Model Town, and three from Iqbal Town Division.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that full enforcement of anti-smog Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is being ensured, with police extending legal support to other departments addressing environmental violations. 

He added that the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s surveillance cameras are being used to identify and track offenders.

Kamyana directed police officials to accelerate operations against all elements contributing to air pollution and to act without discrimination. “Clean air is the best gift we can give to our future generations,” he said, urging citizens to cooperate in the fight against smog.

The crackdown comes as Lahore faces worsening air quality ahead of the winter smog season, driven by industrial emissions, vehicle smoke, and open burning.

CategoriesNews

Punjab’s anti-smog gun cuts Lahore pollution by 70%

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has reported a significant drop in Lahore’s air pollution levels after launching its first anti-smog gun operation, bringing the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) down from a hazardous 666 to 170.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the reduction, verified through the province’s environmental monitoring system, reflects the government’s commitment to using modern technology to improve public health. 

“This 70 percent decrease in air pollution has been scientifically analyzed and confirmed by our advanced environmental monitoring system,” she said in a video statement on X.

The operation involved anti-smog trucks spraying fine water mist across Lahore to settle dust and pollutants. Officials said more such efforts are planned as the smog season intensifies.

Each winter, Lahore faces worsening air quality caused by crop burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution, pushing it among the world’s most polluted cities. Smog season typically begins in late October, peaks from November to January, and can last through February.

Health experts warn that smog exposure can lead to respiratory illnesses, sore throats, and eye irritation, while prolonged exposure raises the risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Children remain particularly vulnerable.

Lahore’s 14 million residents have endured PM2.5 levels up to 20 times higher than World Health Organization limits, while Pakistan’s other major cities also struggle with chronic air pollution.

Officials say the provincial government will continue expanding anti-smog operations alongside stricter enforcement of emission controls to maintain recent gains.