Excise dept seals LDA global village project over property tax issue

LAHORE: The building of the historic Lahore Development Authority (LDA) project Global Village, formerly known as Arena, was sealed by the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department (E&T) for failing to pay property taxes.

However, the structure was later opened again thanks to the intervention of the top management of both organizations.

Following the closure of the Excise Department’s regional office in Faisal Town three days prior as part of an ongoing campaign against commercial fee defaulters, the Excise Department took action the very next day.

The responsible director oversaw the LDA’s activity, which resulted in the sealing of many properties in the Faisal Town and Garden Town areas, including the Excise and Taxation Department office.

In an interview, Excise Director General Faisal Fareed disputed that there was a disagreement between the two government agencies and stated he was unaware of any such operation. He claimed he was unaware that LDA owned the Global Village (Arena).

He did, however, mention that lower staff members could close the arena by themselves. He added that once his staff at LDA sealed the excise office, he called the LDA DG, who was likewise unaware that the office had been sealed.

He said he didn’t know exactly about the recovery but assured that it will be taken.