Islamabad, Nov 22: The cost of MS Petrol, High-Speed Diesel (HSD), kerosene oil, and light diesel oil (LDO) is likely to increase by Rs. 45 per liter after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) insisted on Pakistan imposing an 18 percent sales tax on petroleum products. The IMF rejected Pakistan’s proposal to implement a lower 1-2 percent sales tax, demanding a higher rate instead. While the government has not yet acted on the IMF’s request, this position has threatened the $5-6 billion upgrade projects under the Brownfield Refinery Policy 2023. Local refineries have raised concerns that the shift from a zero-rated…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 22: The vivo Y300 5G is the newest device from the company, which stomps the ground as an affordable 5G device. Vivo has always produced affordable 5G smartphones with many features intact and the Y300 5G is a perfect example. Vivo Y300 5G Price in Pakistan The Vivo Y300 5G is likely to be in the range of 55,000 PKR to 60,000 PKR depending upon the configuration and store. It is a true mid-ranger offering 5G connectivity, and other features at a truly reasonable price point to really challenge its competitors. Display and Design The Vivo Y300 5G…
Islamabad, Nov 22: Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, met with a senior delegation from Oman on Thursday to explore opportunities for collaboration in the IT and telecom sectors. They also focused on preparing for Comex 2025, an international tech event scheduled to take place in Oman next September. The Omani delegation invited Pakistani technology firms to participate in Comex 2025, describing the event as a prime opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s expertise in IT and innovation on a global stage. Minister Shaza Fatima praised Oman for organizing the prestigious event and highlighted Pakistan’s growing…
Islamabad, Nov 22: The price of flour has sharply increased in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several other districts of Punjab, with an 80kg bag now costing Rs1300 more, as reported by ARY News. This spike has raised concerns, prompting the Naan Bai Association to hold an urgent meeting to discuss potential changes in bread (roti) prices. Previously, the federal government removed 5.5% advance income tax following successful discussions with flour mill owners. This decision came after a three-day strike starting on July 11, which resulted in severe flour shortages, particularly in Karachi. The strike was a response to the tax introduced…
Islamabad, Nov 22: Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) declared a four-day closure starting November 22 (Friday) due to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24 in Islamabad. In an official notification, the university explained that it made the decision considering the current situation in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with anticipated road blockages. As a result, university transport services will remain suspended on November 22 (Friday) and November 25 (Monday). The notification further stated that all academic activities, including ongoing examinations, would be halted during the closure period. The university assured students and staff that these activities would resume as soon as…
Islamabad, Nov 22: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has deployed Inland Revenue (IR) officials to sugar mills nationwide. These officials will monitor production, sales, and stock during the crushing season under Section 40B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. They will track daily sugarcane deliveries, production, and storage. The Track and Trace system will record real-time data until November 30, 2024. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered strict action against tax evasion and price manipulation in the sugar sector. Joint efforts by FBR, FIA, and IB include CCTV monitoring to prevent hoarding and ensure GST compliance. FBR has also…
Islamabad, Nov 22: The Regional Tax Office (RTO) in Islamabad closed five well-known restaurants on Thursday for issuing fraudulent invoices. The action followed complaints from consumers and aligns with the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) initiative to incorporate Tier-1 retailers and restaurants into the tax system through the Point of Sale (POS) invoicing system. As per the FBR, the fake invoices were verified through POS tracking software under an established procedure. A team, led by the Deputy Commissioner, subsequently sealed the restaurants and imposed a cumulative fine of Rs. 1.5 million. The FBR has also introduced the Point-of-Sale Prize Scheme,…
Islamabad, Nov 22: The federal government is reportedly planning to impose restrictions on internet and mobile services in Islamabad in light of an upcoming protest in the capital. Sources indicate that these measures could include activating the new national firewall to control internet usage and limit communication during the demonstrations. According to insiders, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) may initiate the firewall on mobile internet services starting November 22 (Friday). This step could lead to reduced internet speeds and restrictions on downloading videos and audio from social media platforms. The suspension is likely to affect several areas across Islamabad, Khyber…
Islamabad, Nov 21: Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa chaired a pivotal meeting focused on upgrading and modernizing the health infrastructure in the capital. The meeting discussed the enhancement of Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs), and other healthcare facilities. Attendees included CDA Members, the Executive Director of Capital Hospital, the District Health Officer (DHO), and other relevant officials. The DHO presented a detailed briefing on the current state of healthcare services and outlined initiatives aimed at improving facilities for Islamabad’s residents. These included renovations of BHUs and RHCs, procurement of medical equipment, and recruitment of…
Islamabad, Nov 21: In a landmark achievement, 700 young people from Kurram and Orakzai districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been equipped with market-driven vocational and technical skills under a programme supported by the Government of Japan. This transformative initiative, executed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), was celebrated at a closing ceremony held in Islamabad. Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Mr. Rana Mashood, emphasized the programme’s focus on women’s empowerment, noting, “I am delighted that 375 women were trained under this initiative. On behalf of Pakistan, I extend…