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Balochistan Revenue Authority Mandates Registration of Property Dealers

QUETTA: The Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA) has directed property dealers, real estate agents, and related service providers across the province to register with the tax authority and comply with the newly enforced sales tax regulations, according to an official announcement issued recently.

Under the directive, individuals and businesses engaged in services related to the buying, selling, and renting of immovable property are required to obtain formal registration with the BRA and ensure the timely submission of tax returns for each applicable tax period. The authority has introduced a 5% sales tax on property-related services in accordance with amendments made by the Finance Act 2025 under the Balochistan Sales Tax on Services Act, 2015.

Officials stated that the measure aims to improve transparency and documentation within the real estate sector, which has historically remained under-regulated in terms of tax compliance. By bringing property service providers into the formal tax framework, the government expects to strengthen provincial revenue collection while promoting accountability in property transactions.

The BRA has warned that failure to comply with the registration and tax payment requirements may result in penalties, legal proceedings, or enforcement actions under relevant tax laws. Authorities emphasized that unregistered agents or those who fail to submit returns could face strict action as part of broader efforts to ensure adherence to fiscal regulations.

Tax officials noted that the initiative is part of ongoing reforms aimed at expanding the tax base and reducing revenue leakage in the service sectors. Stakeholders in the real estate industry have been urged to cooperate with the authority and complete registration procedures promptly to avoid disruptions to their business operations.

The development reflects increasing regulatory oversight of Pakistan’s property market as provincial governments seek sustainable revenue sources amid growing fiscal pressures.

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CategoriesNews Property Laws

PBC Slams Punjab Property Act, Backs LHC Suspension

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has strongly opposed the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025, terming it unconstitutional, unlawful, and detrimental to the country’s judicial system. The council warned the Punjab government against implementing what it described as the “illegal aspirations of land mafias” and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the law.

Presiding over the PBC’s 247th meeting at the Supreme Court Building in Islamabad, Vice Chairman Chaudhry Tahir Nasrullah Warraich said the outgoing cabinet had unanimously rejected the Act. The council also called on the Punjab government to issue an apology to the Lahore High Court (LHC) for what it termed an inappropriate response following judicial intervention.

The PBC maintained that the law conflicts with key legal frameworks, including the Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Qanoon-i-Shahadat (Evidence Act), and the Illegal Dispossession Act. It expressed concern that the Act empowers deputy commissioner-led committees to decide property disputes, creating a parallel system of jurisprudence that bypasses civil courts and undermines judicial supremacy.

On December 22, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum suspended the operation of the Act and referred the matter to a full bench for adjudication. The move was subsequently endorsed by lawyers’ associations across the province on December 24.

The council praised the LHC for what it called a timely and necessary intervention, warning that the legislation erodes civil rights and allows executive officials to exercise judicial authority. It further cautioned that failure to take corrective measures within days could compel the legal community to launch a nationwide movement in defence of judicial independence and the rule of law.

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