Under the chairmanship of Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab, Mr. Nabeel Javed, multiple key decisions were made concerning the province’s land management and tax recovery strategies. Several high-level meetings included key officials such as Member Colonies Abdul Waheed Malik, Member Taxes Zaman Wattoo, Secretary S&C Rana Hameed, and other senior officers.
Mr. Nabeel Javed disclosed that the Board of Revenue generated PKR 476.5 billion in provincial taxes for the fiscal year 2023-24. This included PKR 2,446 million from land revenue mutation fees and PKR 5,309 million from stamp duty. Furthermore, 102,693 acres of government land were leased for agriculture, generating PKR 1.704 billion. Water charges contributed PKR 17,835 million in revenue.
Another significant announcement was made regarding land allocation for shrimp farming. According to Mr. Javed, approximately 102,000 acres of state land in Punjab is suitable for shrimp farming, with a pilot project launched on 100 acres in Muzaffargarh. Land in Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Khushab, and Jhelum will also be dedicated to this purpose. These efforts aim to boost rural economies while addressing food security.
During a meeting focused on the Auqaf Department, discussions were held on the restoration of historical sites. Funding allocations include PKR 225.89 million for Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, PKR 350.57 million for the restoration of Badshahi Mosque and Hazoori Bagh, and PKR 594.80 million for Uch Sharif. Additionally, new electromechanical canopies are being installed at the Data Sahib Shrine, with clear deadlines for completion.
During his visit to the Land Facilitation Center in Shalimar Town, Mr. Javed assessed the public services provided. Immediate transfer services post-registration are now available, and facilities like banks, ATMs, and Excise and Taxation NOC services are provided onsite. He emphasized that protecting land rights and offering revenue-related services are top priorities for the Punjab government.
The Punjab government also launched online revenue services for overseas Pakistanis. In a video conference with DG Foreign Office Dr. Fauzia and Joint Secretary of the Overseas Ministry Raja Tanveer Azam, Mr. Javed announced a pilot project by the Punjab Land Record Authority, enabling online registration and land transfers for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, the UK, the USA, and Dubai through respective embassies.
The meeting also reviewed the digitization progress of the Punjab Urban Land Record System. Mr. Javed reported that records for 88 localities in Lahore and over 23,000 across the province have been digitized. He directed all additional commissioners and revenue staff to finalize the records by November 11 or face legal action. The digitization of revenue records across Punjab is targeted for completion by December 30, 2024.
These initiatives by the Punjab Government and Board of Revenue mark a crucial milestone towards modernizing revenue processes, ensuring transparency, and enhancing public service. Under the leadership of Mr. Nabeel Javed, the Board of Revenue Punjab is taking decisive steps toward improved revenue management with renewed commitment.