LCCI asks Punjab CM to intervene as RUDA tax hike threatens industry

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has voiced serious concerns over the plight of industrial units operating in Saggian and surrounding areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA).

In an emergency meeting held at the LCCI, industrialists unanimously appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take immediate notice of the crisis. Acting President of the LCCI Engineer Khalid Usman highlighted that the primary issue is the imposition of a District Collector (DC) rate that is reportedly 10 times higher than standard rates in RUDA-administered zones.

He said that over 1,000 industrial units -- ranging from small workshops to large factories -- are under severe threat due to these inflated charges. These SMEs employ more than 10,000 workers directly and support thousands of families indirectly. “If RUDA continues with this unfair taxation, we will witness widespread job losses and potential industrial collapse,” Usman warned.

Painting a bleak picture of the consequences, he added, “Forcing industries to pay unaffordable DC rates will result in shutdowns. When factories close, workers lose their livelihoods, leading to social unrest and law-and-order issues.”

The LCCI called for an immediate reduction in DC rates to reasonable levels, a halt to the sealing or eviction of industrial units, and the initiation of proper consultation with stakeholders before any new rates are finalised.

Participants in the meeting expressed hope that the CM would intervene to avert the crisis. They cautioned that destabilising this industrial hub could trigger ripple effects across Punjab’s economy, as these industries are integral to wider supply chains.