RAWALPINDI: Despite the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 to 2026 coming to an end and over Rs1 billion allocated for uplift schemes, development work in Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment areas has yet to begin. The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board set aside Rs600 million for development projects, while the Chaklala Cantonment Board allocated Rs400 million, but both remain unable to launch new schemes.
According to senior officials, two major factors are delaying development activities. The first is slow tax recovery, which has hindered the boards’ ability to generate operational funds. The second is the revision of contractor rates, which has forced both cantonment boards to reassess financial requirements before approving new projects. Officials said the boards do not receive direct financial support from the federal government and rely almost entirely on property tax and service fees.
Authorities explained that the slow recovery of property tax has severely impacted the ability to initiate new development schemes. Several projects launched in the previous fiscal year remain incomplete, further straining available resources. The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board is also facing a significant shortfall in its revenue recovery target for the period ending June 30, 2025. Both cantonment boards also missed their revenue targets during the last fiscal year, causing delays in planning and execution.
Officials from the Chaklala Cantonment Board noted that its financial limitations are even more pronounced because it lacks major commercial zones. Rawalpindi Cantonment, which includes prominent markets such as Saddar and The Mall, generates higher commercial property tax revenue, while Chaklala Cantonment has no comparable commercial hubs to support its income.
Local representatives have been advised to secure federal grants, especially since the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz is in power and many CCB members belong to the party. Former CCB vice president and PML N leader Raja Irfan Imtiaz confirmed that development schemes have not been initiated for the past six months but said efforts were underway to secure federal funding.
He added that new development work is expected to begin next month, while repair and maintenance activities have already been launched to improve road conditions in the cantonment areas.
