Rawalpindi Cantonment gets tax cuts and new water supply in relief package

Chairman Malik Ibrar Ahmed of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Division unveiled a comprehensive relief package for Rawalpindi Cantonment following negotiations with a high-level RCB committee. Residential house tax increases have been trimmed from 30% to 20% and taxpayers can pay in three installments, while past-arrears surcharges are eliminated. The scheme introduces 15 MGD of water from Daducha Dam, supported by a Rs100 million grant to shift tubewells and storage facilities to solar energy, and revises water and sanitation rates downward across all unit sizes.

Commercial sanitation now follows a flat 1% levy of annual rental value, and essential-goods shops are exempt from sealing notices. The announcement also highlighted completion of underpasses at Charing Cross and Qasim Market, and plans for ambulance and funeral bus services at a new public graveyard in Rakh Dhamial. Gratitude was expressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir for initiating these projects.