Sindh Province

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has finalized preparations to introduce a new tax on hotels, guest houses, marriage halls, Airbnb properties and other hospitality-related businesses across the city.
Under the proposed measure, KMC plans to impose a 1 percent tax on bills generated by hotels, guest houses, lodges, marriage halls, marquees, marriage lawns, banquet halls and Airbnb accommodations. The levy has been proposed under a new category titled “Entertainment Tax – City Tourism and Hospitality.”
According to KMC officials, the proposed tax is aimed at strengthening the financial position of the city’s tourism department and improving tourism and hospitality-related services in Karachi. The civic body maintains that revenue collected through the levy will help support municipal efforts linked to city tourism, hospitality management and related public services.
Municipal Commissioner Abrar Ahmed Jaffar has invited public objections and recommendations on the proposal. A hearing has been scheduled for June 10 at the KMC head office, where citizens, business representatives and other stakeholders will be able to submit their views on the proposed tax.
Officials said the new levy and its related bylaws are expected to be included in the upcoming municipal budget for approval. The proposal has been moved under the powers available to local governments through the Sindh Local Government Act 2013, which allows municipal bodies to impose taxes, fees, rates and tolls within their jurisdiction.
The proposed tax is likely to increase the cost of hotel stays, wedding events, banquet bookings and short-term rental accommodations in Karachi, as businesses may pass the additional charge on to customers through final bills.
The proposal has already attracted political attention within the City Council. Sources said opposition parties, including Jamaat e Islami, PTI-backed members and other council representatives, have started consultations on the issue and are expected to announce their formal position in the coming days.
Business circles connected with hotels, wedding halls and hospitality services are also expected to review the financial impact of the proposed levy before the public hearing. The final decision will depend on the approval process in the municipal budget and the response received from stakeholders during the consultation phase.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh cabinet has approved development schemes worth Rs 11.198 billion for major road and bridge connectivity projects in Karachi, as part of a broader push to improve urban infrastructure and ease traffic pressure across the city.
The approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Sindh chief minister. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House, the approved schemes will be executed under the Karachi Mega Project and funded through the “New Development Initiatives” allocation of the Annual Development Programme for financial year 2025-26.
The projects include the rehabilitation, improvement and widening of several important roads and transport corridors in different parts of Karachi. These include Haji Ibrahim Essa Road, Haji Camp Road, Korangi Link Road and roads in Clifton connecting to Marine Drive. Development work has also been approved for Mehran Road and Pajero Road in Scheme 33, Korangi Creek Airbase Road, the extension of Jinnah Avenue in Gulzar-i-Hijri and Baldia Stadium Road, which connects Shahrah i Orangi with Hub River Road.
Officials said the road improvement schemes are aimed at strengthening Karachi’s internal connectivity, reducing travel time and improving access between residential, commercial and industrial areas. The selected routes are considered important for daily commuters, public transport movement and commercial activity.
In addition to road rehabilitation, the cabinet also approved the construction of two major bridges in the city. One bridge will be built at Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi, while the second will be constructed at 4-K Chowrangi in Surjani Town. Both locations are considered high-traffic points where congestion has remained a persistent issue for commuters.
To begin implementation, the cabinet sanctioned an initial release of Rs 560 million, which is around five percent of the total estimated cost of the approved Karachi infrastructure schemes. The amount will be released from the current ADP allocation to allow relevant departments to start preparatory and execution work.
The chief minister directed the concerned departments to ensure timely execution of all approved schemes and maintain quality standards during construction. He said development projects must be completed within the given timelines so that citizens can benefit from improved road infrastructure without unnecessary delays.
Separately, the Sindh cabinet also approved Rs 8.824 billion for water supply and drainage schemes across the province. Officials said the funds will be used for multiple projects aimed at upgrading water and sanitation systems in both urban and rural areas.
The cabinet also approved a new framework for receiving Sindh’s 12.5 percent natural gas royalty in kind on a field-to-field basis, instead of receiving it entirely in cash. Officials briefed the meeting that the proposed arrangement could generate an additional Rs 26 billion annually for the provincial government.

Hyderabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) has warned commercial property owners of strict action, including cancellation of no objection certificates, if outstanding commercialization and land use conversion charges are not cleared without further delay.
In a statement, the authority said it had decided to launch what it described as a final and decisive enforcement operation against commercial entities that have failed to pay millions of rupees in government dues despite repeated notices and reminders.
According to HDA officials, several commercial properties in Hyderabad have not cleared their pending land-use conversion and commercialization charges. The authority said the continued non-payment had forced it to move towards strict administrative and legal action in order to recover public dues and ensure compliance with commercial regulations.
Director Planning and Development Control Asghar Memon expressed concern over the persistent delay in payment of dues by commercial property owners. He urged all defaulters to immediately settle their liabilities to avoid punitive action.
He warned that failure to comply could lead to cancellation of NOCs, legal proceedings and other enforcement measures against the concerned property owners. The authority said such action would be taken in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations.
HDA officials said multiple notices and reminders had already been issued to defaulters through different channels. However, the authority maintained that many property owners continued to ignore the instructions and failed to demonstrate seriousness in clearing their outstanding dues.
The authority described the attitude of defaulters as irresponsible and said it could no longer delay enforcement action. Officials added that the operation was being initiated ahead of Eidul Azha as part of efforts to strengthen recovery of government dues and regulate commercial activity in the city.
The Hyderabad Development Authority said the crackdown was being carried out in the public interest and would continue until pending dues are recovered and commercial properties are brought into compliance with the approved land-use and commercialization framework.