ISLAMABAD: The federal government has significantly increased the rental rates for commercial buildings rented by government departments. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the rent has risen from 80 rupees per square foot to 180 rupees.
According to media reports, the Ministry of Housing and Works has officially issued a notification regarding these revised rental rates.
As per the notification, the rent for commercial buildings in Lahore has increased from 60 rupees to 135 rupees per square foot, while in Karachi, it has gone up from 50 rupees to 113 rupees.
In Peshawar, the rent has risen from 35 rupees to 79 rupees, and in Quetta, it has increased from 30 rupees to 68 rupees per square foot.
Similarly, in smaller cities, the rent for commercial buildings has also been raised from 35 rupees to 79 rupees per square foot. These new rental rates will apply when government departments rent private buildings. Ministries and divisions will be allowed a 5% increase in rent based on their needs. Additionally, for centrally air-conditioned buildings, a 25% extra charge will apply.
ALSO READ
Sindh declares public holiday on Dec 27, 2024, for Benazir Bhutto’s 17th death anniversary
On the other hand, a report from Daily Jang mentions that the Ministry of Housing and Works has written to the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a third-party assessment of the housing rent survey for federal employees.
The Finance Division has instructed that this third-party assessment be completed within three days. The State Office had recommended an increase in the rental ceiling for federal employees living in six major cities: Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.