The customs authorities of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are vigorously attempting to evade investigation into a criminal syndicate engaged in the illicit sale of non-customs paid goods in collaboration with certain FBR personnel. This illicit activity has led to significant revenue losses. Despite receiving four notices, no response has been provided regarding the allegations. In response to a public interest complaint filed by tax lawyer Waheed Shahzad Butt, the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has instructed the Chairman of FBR to launch an investigation with the assistance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant agencies, and to…
Author: WebDesk
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is set to issue new licenses for Direct-To-Home (DTH) services, which could attract investments ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion, as per the Economic Survey of Pakistan for the fiscal year 2023-34. The survey highlights that the increased investment through these new licenses will have a multiplier effect on the growth of media production companies, advertising agencies, performing arts, and job opportunities for trained media personnel and journalists. It emphasizes the potential benefits of licensing DTH satellite TV channels, FM radios, and teleport services. PEMRA has already issued three licenses for the…
The Ministry of Interior has introduced a new policy halting the issuance of passports to Pakistani citizens who are seeking asylum abroad. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced this decision, citing concerns related to national security and safety. The Ministry has instructed all relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to enforce this policy. According to the directive, Pakistani citizens who have been granted asylum in another country will no longer be eligible for passport issuance. Any passports currently held by such individuals will be revoked and will not be renewed. This decision is likely to have a significant…
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has announced that the initial monsoon rainfall is projected to commence in certain regions of the country after June 19, as per Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz. The forecast suggests that southern Sindh, including Karachi, may witness substantial rainfall during the upcoming monsoon season. The chief meteorologist added that there are no expectations of rain in the plain areas during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period. A more precise forecast for the upcoming monsoon spell will be issued closer to the event. On June 7, areas of Karachi such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Gulistan-e-Johar, Surjani Town, Scheme 33,…
Pakistan’s transition from a water-stressed to a water-scarce status is attributed to various factors, including population growth, industrial expansion, inefficient irrigation, unsustainable groundwater usage, inadequate storage, low water productivity, poor efficiency, and contamination of water resources. These challenges have resulted in both quantitative and qualitative losses in water resources. The long-term planning for the water sector, outlined in the Economic Survey 2023-24, acknowledges these issues in alignment with the National Water Policy. The plan adopts the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, reflecting the objectives of the policy. The interconnection between water, food, climate, and energy security has become increasingly…
SAMARKAND: The IV Samarkand Forum on Human Rights is set to convene in Uzbekistan on June 13-14, 2024, focusing on the theme “Climate Change and Human Rights.” Three plenary meetings will take place both offline and online during the forum. The primary objective of this year’s Samarkand forum is to address the broad-scale impact of climate change on human rights through information analysis. Participants will not only acquire essential knowledge in this area but also have the opportunity to exchange experiences and explore best practices within the international community. The Forum aims to formulate concrete recommendations and solutions to mitigate…
Amid allegations that China is selling electric cars at artificially low prices, the European Union is widely expected to impose tariffs on them this week. The BYD Seagull, a compact and affordably priced electric vehicle (EV), serves as a prime example. With a starting price of 69,800 yuan ($9,600; £7,500) in China, it’s anticipated that if introduced to Europe, its cost will at least double due to safety regulations. However, even at this higher price point, it would still be considered quite economical in the realm of electric cars. This influx of competitively priced Chinese vehicles has raised concerns among…
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab issued a warning on Tuesday, indicating that the ongoing heatwave is expected to persist throughout the week, with temperatures forecasted to range between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius. A PDMA spokesperson emphasized that the heatwave would particularly impact districts such as Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Multan in South Punjab. According to PDMA data, temperatures soared to 43 degrees Celsius in Attock, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur, Narowal, Kasur, Jhelum, and Toba Tek Singh yesterday, reaching 46 degrees Celsius in Okara and 44 degrees Celsius in Gujranwala and Lahore. Last year,…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday that his recent five-day trip to China was a success, revealing that a high-level Chinese delegation would soon visit Pakistan. During a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister, he commended his team, including federal ministers and secretaries, for their collective efforts, which he said had led to strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and China. Despite security concerns raised during discussions with Chinese leaders and business representatives, the prime minister described the visit as ending on a positive note. “I can confidently say that the visit concluded positively. During conversations with the…
The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has dismissed Hafiz Muhammad Shehbaz from his role as chairman of the Islamic Studies department. This decision comes in light of serious accusations, including hate speech targeting minorities and the leak of a PhD exam paper. The UET syndicate, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nasir Hayat, made this determination during a meeting. Dr. Tanveer Qasim, a fellow member of the department, raised the allegations against Shehbaz, accusing him of delivering hate speech and leaking a PhD exam paper. After reviewing the evidence, which included a video containing hate speech, the syndicate found Shehbaz guilty…
