Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has proposed a revised sales tax regime for restaurants in the Punjab Finance Bill 2026, which would increase the tax rate on digital payments.Under the proposed framework, payments made through debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets or QR codes will be subject to an 8 percent sales tax, up from the existing 5 percent.
In contrast, all other payment methods will attract a higher 16 percent tax rate.
The proposed change would raise the sales tax on restaurant payments made through debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets and QR codes from 5 percent to 8 percent, increasing the cost of digitally paid dine-in and takeaway transactions while still keeping them lower than the 16 percent rate applicable to other payment methods.
The move is expected to generate additional revenue for the provincial government and further encourage documentation of restaurant sales through formal payment channels. The lower 5 percent rate had already been in place under the existing tax structure, and the new bill seeks to revise it upwards.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided two anti-smog guns to Faisalabad as part of Punjab’s broader efforts to control air pollution and reduce the impact of smog before the winter season.
EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh inaugurated the anti-smog machines at the DC Office Complex in Faisalabad. The initiative is aimed at improving air quality in the city by using modern technology to suppress dust and airborne particles at pollution hotspots.
During the ceremony, The University of Faisalabad and the EPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote research on smog prevention and control. Officials said the collaboration would help strengthen scientific studies, public awareness and practical measures for reducing air pollution in urban areas.
Participants at the event were briefed on various steps being taken to control smog, including the use of anti-smog guns, monitoring of pollution sources, and preventive measures to reduce dust and emissions.
Speaking to the media, EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said the anti-smog guns had been introduced in Faisalabad after similar equipment was used in Lahore last year. He said the machines release a fine mist of water into the air, which helps settle dust and other suspended particles that contribute to smog.
He added that the Punjab government is continuing to use modern technology and preventive planning to improve environmental conditions across the province. According to officials, such measures are particularly important ahead of the winter months, when smog levels usually rise due to weather conditions, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and dust.
The EPA said the deployment of anti-smog guns in Faisalabad reflects the government’s focus on expanding pollution control initiatives beyond Lahore and addressing air quality challenges in other major cities of Punjab.
Environmental experts believe that while anti-smog guns can help reduce dust in specific areas, long-term improvement in air quality will require strict action against industrial emissions, vehicle smoke, crop residue burning, construction dust and other major sources of pollution.
Officials said the EPA would continue working with academic institutions, local administrations and relevant departments to develop effective strategies for smog control and environmental protection in Punjab.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has prepared a Rs 1,220 billion mega economic plan for the new financial year, placing construction, infrastructure and development projects at the centre of its economic revival strategy. Prepared on the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the plan is being described as the flagship vision of the provincial budget, aimed at accelerating construction activity, industrial growth, private investment and large scale infrastructure development across the province.
According to government sources, Punjab’s key priority in the new financial year will be to boost economic activity, support the construction sector, activate industrial zones and generate new employment opportunities through development projects. For this purpose, the Economic Transformation Plan is being made a central component of the provincial budget.
Under the proposed plan, Rs 300 billion has been earmarked for the Punjab Infrastructure and Guarantee Fund. The fund is designed to provide financial support for major development schemes, roads, industrial infrastructure, business facilitation facilities, private investment and projects launched under public-private partnership arrangements. The government believes that investment in infrastructure will not only stimulate the construction industry but also increase activity in allied sectors such as cement, steel, transport, labour and other related industries.
The proposed establishment of the Punjab Wealth Fund, with an allocation of Rs 700 billion, is also a major part of the plan. The fund is intended to promote long-term investment, economic growth and projects that could help increase Punjab’s revenue, industrial output and employment opportunities in the future.
South Punjab has also been given special importance in the mega economic plan. The government plans to establish new industrial clusters and agro-processing zones in the region, a move expected to increase construction activity and require the development of industrial infrastructure, warehouses, factories, processing units and related facilities. These initiatives are expected to promote investment, local employment and value addition in agricultural production.
Major measures have also been proposed to promote food exports and the agro-industry. According to the government, new facilities, processing zones and logistics infrastructure will be developed to link agricultural production with a modern industrial system, enabling Punjab to become a hub for export-oriented agricultural and industrial products.
The plan also includes a proposed allocation of Rs 30 billion for IT infrastructure and data centres. Under this initiative, work will be carried out on modern digital infrastructure, technology parks, data centres and related facilities. The government maintains that technology-based infrastructure will attract new investment to Punjab and create employment opportunities for young people.
Another Rs 30 billion allocation has been proposed for power sector reforms and private investment. Improvements in the energy sector are being described as essential for industrial and construction activity, as better electricity supply and reduced energy costs would directly benefit industries, commercial centres and development projects.
Investment through public-private partnerships will also remain a key feature of the economic plan. The government aims to involve the private sector in major development projects to accelerate construction work. In addition, a proposal has been made to provide loans of up to Rs 5 billion for industrial development, while small industries will also receive financial assistance to help them participate in construction, industrial and productive activities.
Government circles say Punjab’s Rs 1,220 billion Economic Transformation Plan is not merely a financial package but a coordinated strategy to advance construction, infrastructure, industrial development, technology and investment across the province. Its implementation is expected to speed up major development projects, inject fresh momentum into the construction sector and generate broad-based economic activity in Punjab.