The Punjab Govt has approved amendments to the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Act 2026. Under the new changes, a 0.90 percent cess will be imposed on imports and exports across the province.
The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Amendment Act 2026 with a majority vote. The new law aims to improve the collection system and expand the scope of infrastructure-related charges.
According to the amended law, the cess will apply to goods that are produced, manufactured, consumed, imported, or exported through Punjab. This means businesses dealing with trade activities in the province may now face additional charges under the updated framework.
The Punjab Govt has also extended the law to cover imported goods that pass through Punjab’s territorial boundaries. This step widens the scope of the cess and strengthens the province’s revenue collection system.
To enforce the law, the government will appoint cess officers. These officers will have the authority to inspect, monitor, and verify goods that fall under the cess system. Officials will also be able to set up checkpoints at entry and exit points, as well as other important locations across Punjab.
The amended law gives cess officers the power to seek support from the Customs Department and law enforcement agencies when needed. This is expected to improve monitoring and reduce tax evasion.
Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said the cess is not a new tax. He explained that it has been part of the system for many years. He added that the Punjab Govt is only restructuring the mechanism to make it more effective.
The minister said the levy mainly applies to goods moving in and out of the country through customs channels. He also highlighted the revenue gap between Punjab and Sindh.
According to him, Sindh collects nearly Rs. 170 billion each year through similar charges. In comparison, Punjab currently collects only Rs. 9 billion to Rs. 10 billion.
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The bill will officially become law after receiving final approval from the Governor of Punjab. The move is expected to increase provincial revenue and support infrastructure development projects.
