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Speaker returns home after Kazakhstan visit

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Our Correspondent
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Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser along with parliamentary delegation of Pakistan in a group photo with Speaker of Federal National Council of UAE Amal al Qubaisi. PID

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser returned home after participation in the 4th Meeting of the Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments held from September 23 – 25, 2019 in Nur Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan.

The deliberations of the Summit focused on the theme of Greater Eurasia: Dialogue. Trust. Partnership.

The objective of the Eurasian Conference, an initiative of Russia, was to increase the dialogue and trust among the parliaments of Europe and Asia for greater participation and cooperation. The Presiding Officers of the Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments emphasized on the need for paving the way to build a shared vision and suggest way to ensure sustainable development of the Eurasian region.

  • Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaiser shaking hand with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin on the sidelines of Eurasian Conference at Nur Sultan (Astana) in Kazakhistan

During his address at Forum, the Pakistan Speaker highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing the region in the context of globalization and highlighted that Pakistan’s policy towards promoting regional cooperation was quite coherent. While expressing his concern over the Indian atrocities in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, he urged the global community to exercise pressure on the Indian government to revoke its unilateral decision of refuting special status of the IOJ&K.

Asad Qaiser also condemned the complete clampdown in the occupied territory for almost two month and alarmed the participants that it can turn into humanitarian crisis in the region. During his speech, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha of India, Harivansh Narayan Singh tried to disrupt the process by raising his baseless point of order but the attempt was declined by the Chair of Conference and the Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan continued to expose the real face of India before the parliaments of the world.

Alongside the participation in the Conference, the Speaker of Pakistan also met his Counterparts from various countries including Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE.

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The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mustafa Shentop said that Turkey will extend it all out support to Pakistan against India. He referred to the telephonic conversation between the President of Turkey and Prime Minister of Pakistan immediately after August 5 development and said that it reflected the concern of Turkey over the human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

An important highlight of his meeting with the Russian Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin was the Russian agreement on abstaining India from joining the Regional Conference on Countering Terrorism and Strengthening Regional Connectivity. The Speaker National Assembly said that the next meeting of the Regional Forum was scheduled next month in Istanbul and the participation of India in that Conference would derail the process. They also decide to establish Joint Parliamentary Commissions to constantly cooperation with each other on issues of mutual interest.

During his meeting with Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Majlis Ash Shura of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Speaker assured of their full cooperation to Pakistan at all regional and international forums on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir. He further proposed that the Parliament of Pakistan may immediately convene a Conference on Kashmir so that the exact situation in the disputed territory could be placed before the participants of friendly countries and collective strategy could be devised for countering Indian aggression.

He also invited the Speaker National Assembly to lead a parliamentary delegation to Saudi Arabia during the month of November 2019 for signing a MoU between the Legislatures of two countries so that important issues like IOJ&K could be addressed through joint efforts.

The Speaker National Assembly also congratulated the Speaker of the Mazhilis (Parliament) of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin on successful hosting of the Conference and also thanked him for the hospitality. Speaker Asad Qasier lauded the idea of fostering dialogue, trust and partnership among the Eurasian Countries.

He referred to the Indian aggression in the IOJ&K and said that the recent acts of violence by India in the Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and also on the opposite side of the line of control has further aggravated the situation in the region. The Kazakh Speaker emphasized on the need for resolving the outstanding issue of IOJ&K and said that the dispute required a political solution rather than war. He, therefore, stressed upon resolving the issue through peaceful means.

The Speaker also said that there was a huge potential in enhancing relations, specifically in the fields of trade and investment, communication, defence and security. He said that the national carriers of the two countries should operate directly to each other’s cities for improving connectivity between the two friendly countries.

Top Story: PM Imran briefs UN secretary general on Kashmir situation

Immediately after return from Kazakhstan, the Speaker Asad Qasier has directed the Chairmen of the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and Commerce to immediately workout a befitting plan of action for promoting ties with Kazakhstan both at government and parliamentary levels for the benefit of the people of two countries.

INP

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Afghanistan Presidential Elections: Tourkham and Chaman borders closed

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Our Correspondent
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torkham border
Torkham border -Google Image

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has closed Tourkham and Chaman border in wake of elections in Afghanistan that is being held Saturday.

According to sources, all types of transportation and trading activities are suspended while supplies for Nato forces are also being suspended.

Security sources said that both the borders will be opened on Sunday.

Voting is underway in Afghanistan’s presidential election, amid heavy security and threats from insurgents.

Tens of thousands of Afghan forces have been deployed across the country to counter Taliban militants who have vowed to target polling stations.

Read more: US Deal will not stop attacks on Afghan forces: Taliban

The twice-delayed vote is taking place after Taliban-US peace talks collapsed earlier this month.

Afghanistan Presidential elections. Google Image
Afghanistan Presidential elections. Google Image

The presidential election is being contested by 15 candidates, with incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah seen as the top contenders.

The polls opened at 7pm local time (2:30 GMT) on Saturday and were scheduled to close at 5pm (14:30 GMT).

The elections were originally scheduled for 20 April, but the Independent Election Commission announced on 26 December 2018 that they would be postponed until 20 July, in order to resolve problems that became apparent during the October 2018 parliamentary elections.

‘The additional time will be used to verify voter lists and train election workers on the new biometric identification system’.

On 20 March 2019, the IEC once again delayed the election, this time by two months from 20 July to 28 September. A spokesman blamed the delay on changes in election laws along with management and technical problems − the presidential vote will now coincide with local council votes and delayed parliamentary elections in Ghazni Province.

INP

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Govt working on regulations to promote eco-tourism: Malik Amin

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Our Correspondent
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Govt working on regulations to promote eco-tourism: Malik Amin
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ISLAMABAD : Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Friday said that current government was taking multiple initiatives to promote eco-tourism across the country.

He said the government was also extensively working to finalize regulations to help preserve environment and ensure additional job opportunities for local communities.

“We are working with the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government to formulate regulations that will help protect the environment and regulate tourism in the area”, he said while addressing World Tourism Day Seminar on ‘Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all’ organized by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).

In the first phase, he said the tourism laws would be enforced in the Gilgit-Baltistan and later it would be replicated in other parts of the country with the help of provincial governments.

With the exponential growth in domestic tourism during the last two years due to the improved law and order, the adviser said the eco-tourism would be an effective tool for conserving nature and improving livelihoods of local communities with rural development.

Amin said the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) had signed a project with Agha Khan Foundation to set up eight tourist zones in the GB where the tourism laws would be enforced to manage the influx of local and foreign tourists.

The ministry has also been working to develop eco-tourism sites in the northern parts of the country under the United Nations-funded projects, he added.

Citing an example, he said the MoCC had taken an initiative for the development of a tourist spot (opposite to Hunza valley) as an eco-tourism valley and the policy was being formulated with the help of local community to enable environment-friendly tourist activities in the area.

“There is a dire need to integrate tourism with environment and this government is committed to perform the task under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan who has been a strong proponent of unlocking the untapped potential of tourism in the country,” Amin remarked while discouraging irresponsible tourism in the country.

“We have to replace such type of tourism with Responsible Ecological Tourism to preserve natural landscapes and natural beauty,” he added.

The adviser said the Climate Change Ministry had launched Clean Green Index to create competition among the cities to promote healthy cleanliness and green environment in their respective areas.

He said the MoCC was in constant contact with the provincial authorities to provide them solutions for redressing the issues related to the littering and proper waste disposal.

He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, during its first year, had taken revolutionary steps for tourism promotion.

Amin appreciated the initiatives of the government including relaxation in visa policy, formation of the National Tourism Coordination board for stronger coordination among the provinces and restructuring of the PTDC. However, he said the government was now focusing on developing infrastructure support system that would eventually boost the tourist activities in the country.

“Tourism is not a GDP multiplier but a quickest GDP multiplier,” he said while pointing out the immense potential of Pakistan tourism offering lush green meadows, sky-high mountains, the world’s oldest civilizations and heritage, besides 1,000 kilometer long coastal lines.

Highlighting the cultural, social and economic impacts of tourism on the society, Managing Director PTDC Syed Intikhab Alam said the sector played a great role in poverty alleviation, rural development and women empowerment.

Intikhab said the present government was fully cognizant of the true potential of tourism and embracing digital technologies to project real face of Pakistan across the globe.(INP)

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NA body unanimously passes “The National Information Technology Board Bill, 2019”

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Our Correspondent
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NA body unanimously passes “The National Information Technology Board Bill, 2019”
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ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has unanimously passed “The National Information Technology Board Bill, 2019 (Ord. No. X of 2019)”.

The NA Body had detailed discussion and deliberations on the Bill in its meeting held in Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad on Thursday with MNA Mr. Ali Khan Jadoon in chair.

The representative from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) apprised the Committee that complaints regarding online contents would be registered in PTA. Section 33 of PEMRA Act empowered PTA to just block objectionable contents and Cyber Crime is not our subject, he further added. If any complaint registered, which is other than contents, the PTA had sent it to Federal Investigation Authority (FIA).

The Committee was also briefed regarding criteria adopted for awarding the contract to a company with regard to the IT Park in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. The Project Director briefed the Committee that we are working according to PEPRA Rules and the said IT Park will be functional in August, 2022. He further apprised the Committee that four companies were shortlisted for awarding the contract and no complaints were received against companies from 2017 to February, 2018.

While briefing regarding releasing the dues to 200 regular employees of Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP) on account of Pay and Pension increases for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19, the Managing Director TIP informed that all the dues of regular employees have been released.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Mr. Saghibzada Sibghatullah, Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi, Mr. Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Watto, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan, Mr.Muhammad Hashim, Mr.Ali Gohar Khan, Ms. Ayesh Rajab Ali, Ms. Maiza Hameed, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Malani and Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah. The meeting was also attended by Minister for IT & T and senior officers of the Ministry of IT & T, Law & Justice and PTA.(INP)

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Times Square in New York lights up with ‘Free Kashmir’ signs ahead of Modi visit

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Our Correspondent
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Times Square
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NEW YORK: The Pakistani community in the United States has highlighted the grave human rights violations being carried out by Indian security forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir by sponsoring a screen advertisement at the iconic Times Square in New York.

According to reports circulating on the social media, the Pakistanis have also camped outside the United Nations Headquarters to raise their voice against Indian aggression in the occupied valley. The advertisement was part on a public outreach campaign on occupied Kashmir.

With the extraordinary efforts of PM Imran Khan, Kashmir issue has now become a Global concern. The voice of people of IOJ&K is once again being heard in the highest diplomatic forums.

The protesters camped out in front of the United Nations are expected to raise their voice against the Indian atrocities when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the UN later this week. Last week, a group of activists also protested outside the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston.

The official Twitter account of the Pakistan government on Thursday also tweeted out a picture of the Times Square lit up with signs in support of the people of occupied Kashmir, highlighting lines such as ‘Stand with Kashmir’ and ‘Free Kashmir’.

“With the extraordinary efforts of PM Imran Khan, Kashmir issue has now become a Global concern. The voice of people of IOJ&K is once again being heard in the highest diplomatic forums.”

Related: Trump urges Modi to improve ties with Pakistan amid Kashmir dispute

‘Stand With Kashmir’ has been highlighted on Times Square today, the official Twitter handle of the Pakistan government tweeted.

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PTI lauds UK’s Opposition Labour Party for adopting a historic resolution on Kashmir

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Our Correspondent
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jeremy corbyn
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Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Kashmir chapter on Thursday appreciated the UK’s Opposition Labour Party for adopting a historic resolution on Kashmir.

UK’s Labour Party also called for international intervention and granting of the right of self-determination to the people of the disputed territory who had to endure the unendurable at the hands of Indian occupation forces over and over again.

The resolution tabled by the Leyton and Wanstead and Nottingham East Constituency Labour Party wings at its annual party conference in Brighton calls for intervention by Corbyn to ensure someone from the party is represented to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the issue.

Kashmiris in IoK cannot be left at the mercy of occupation forces

Jeremy Bernard Corbyn is a British politician serving as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition. Since 2015, he has several times condemned human rights abuses in Kashmir in the recent weeks.

Terming it as a great development the president PTI-AJK chapter Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary said that the resolution was a big achievement and a diplomatic victory for Pakistan against India.

“This is the same party, whose government had passed Indian independence act on 5th July 1947 in the UK parliament that ultimately led to the creation of India and Pakistan as two sovereign states”, Barrister said adding that the Labour party has yet again created a history by upholding the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination and advocating for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

In a separate statement, the PTI Secretary Information Ershad Mahmud, while welcoming the move said, “It is heartening to see such a comprehensive resolution, wherein the Labour party, with no ifs and buts, had underscored the need for addressing both political as well as the humanitarian dimensions of the lingering dispute”.

The Labour party’s unambiguous stand on the issue of Kashmir he said will go a long way to strengthen the Kashmir narrative being a principal part of the dispute.

Hope the world will respond to Kashmiris’ clarion call for peace and justice

Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session the PTI Secretary Information said that the PM Khan has held dozens of high-level meetings with heads of important world countries.

Related: EU calls for India-Pakistan dialogue with involvement of Kashmiris

Lauding IK’s forthright stance on the issue of Kashmir Mr. Mahmud said, “During his meeting with world leaders Prime Minister Khan had presented Kashmir case effectively and vociferously”. “after a long time any Pakistani leader has spoken extensively on the issue of Kashmir and highlighted people aspirations”, he said adding that none of his predecessors has so far been able to engage world leaders on Kashmir on such a level”, he said.

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Dr Firdous assures to provide assistance to quake victims in Azad Kashmir

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Our Correspondent
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Firdos Awan hopeful to resolve outstanding issues with Fazl
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ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has assured to provide every possible assistance for the rehabilitation of quake affected people in Azad Kashmir.

Armed forces, National Disaster Management Authority, Punjab government and other institutions are standing shoulder to shoulder with Azad Kashmir government for the rehabilitation of the quake victims

In a series of tweets on Thursday, she said the government and its institutions will not rest till the complete rehabilitation of quake affected people.

She said portable X-ray machines and medicines will be dispatched to the hospital in Mirpur.

The special assistant said the government fully stands by the quake affected people in this hour of trial. She said Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed firm commitment for the relief and assistance of the calamity hit people.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said that it was on the instructions of the Prime Minister that she visited the quake victims, condoled with the bereaved families and distributed essential items including tents and water amongst the people.

Read more: Earthquake: Death toll reaches 37 as aftershocks continue in AJK

The special assistant said the process of rehabilitation will start after the rescue and relief operation. She said the armed forces, National Disaster Management Authority, Punjab government and other institutions are standing shoulder to shoulder with Azad Kashmir government for the rehabilitation of the quake victims.

Dr Firdous called for greater unity and solidarity to effectively cope with the current situation.(INP)

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Chinese embassy expend visa service in Pakistan

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Our Correspondent
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Chinese embassy expend visa service in Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Chinese embassy here has further expended its visa services in Pakistan to promote people-to-people contacts.

As a major development, it has opened Lahore Visa Service Center to facilitate applications submitted to seek Chinese visa.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing inaugurated the center.

Punjab government high-ranked officials, Chinese Lahore Consul General Long Dingbin, Deputy consul general Peng Zhengwu and other senior officers participated in inaugural ceremony.

Talking to China Economic Net (CEN), Deputy Counsel General Lahore Mr. Peng Zhengwu said that inauguration of Lahore Visa Center was a landmark step to bring ease to local people. “Earlier, people of Lahore had to travel to Islamabad to apply for Chinese visa that cost commutation expense and exhaustion. It is an enormous relief to growing number of businessmen and others hailing from Lahore, most important city and new hub of economic activity in Punjab province”, he added. The plan to lay down visa facility, he said, was in pipeline over the last many months and finally it has been materialized in befitting manner.

Responding to a question, he elaborated that in order to facilitate people to people exchanges between China and Pakistan and provide a more comfortable environment and more efficient services to the applicants, Lahore Visa Center will handle Chinese ordinary visa, Hong Kong SAR visa and Macao SAR visa applications, biometric information collection and visa delivery.

Clarifying the function and powers of visa center, he said it did not have any power to issue visa, adding that its main operation will be collection and forward of all relevant documents to Islamabad visa center. “China embassy will not operate visa center in Lahore directly. It has outsourced it to a private company,” he added.

“Solely the visa officer in Islamabad Chinese embassy has the authority to decide whether to issue the visa or not, as well as the validity period of the visa, the duration of stay and number of entries based on the applicant’s specific circumstances. The visa officer may request the applicant to provide further supporting documents or supplementary materials as required or request the applicant for a live interview,” he said.

According to information available to Chinese Embassy, those applicants who hold diplomatic or official passports, or who apply for Chinese diplomatic, official, courtesy or talent visas, may submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy after filling up application forms online at the Chinese Embassy website without appointments.

Embassy said that as per the arrangement of reciprocal exemption of visa fees between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, there are no consular fees for visa charged from Pakistani citizens. The Visa Center will only charge service fees for visa applications. Additionally, the Visa Center will charge visa application fees from the third country’s nationals, it added.

Diplomatic passport holders of Pakistan are exempted from visas and may stay up to 30 days in the mainland of China, up to 14 days in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR of China respectively. Official passport holders of Pakistan are exempted from visas and may stay up to 30 days in the mainland of China and up to 14 days in Hong Kong SAR of China.

Approximately 4000 applications are received at Islamabad visa center on monthly basis. Last month, number went to 6000 because of peak season for student visa application.(INP)

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CDA to construct Korang Bridge, underpass at PWD to resolve traffic issues

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Our Correspondent
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Courtesy google

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to construct Korang Bridge and underpass at PWD under Islamabad Expressway Signal free corridor from its own resources.

 
The project is approved under PSDP, however, this year funds had not been allocated. In this context the authority in its meeting on Tuesday decided to allocate 1.5 billion from the surplus it has created in its account for the betterment of the city.

Read More: Govt should revisit its economic policies: President ICCI

 
It is pertinent to mention that CDA despite its extensive commitments to development including responsibilities of footing salary bill of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) staff has created considerable surplus, a portion of which will be used to complete the highway project.

The bridge and the underpass would be constructed by CDA’s own resources at Islamabad Expressway Signal Free Corridor, to minimize traffic issues on the main avenue.


 

The bridge and the underpass would be constructed by CDA’s own resources at Islamabad Expressway Signal Free Corridor, to minimize traffic issues on the main avenue.

 

In order to cater increasing traffic burden and population in the adjoining areas construction of remaining portion of Signal Free Corridor has become need of the hour. However under PSDP programme next year Federal Government would be requested for allocation of funds in this regard.

 

It was discussed during a visit by Chairman CDA and IG Islamabad that rather than short term measures like protected u turns, for the convenience of public and commuters will not suffice and need is for initiation of full project.

Consequently instructions have been issued that letter may be written to Finance and planning department for permission to start the project with own resources. It is expected that a reply in this regard will be revived by end of week and tenders should be issued next week for development work.

 

INP/SB

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ICCI calls on MCI to withdraw 200pc hike in property tax

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Our Correspondent
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ICCI calls on MCI to withdraw 200pc hike in property tax

ISLAMABAD: An emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) called upon the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) to immediately withdraw the up to 200 percent hike in property tax on commercial and residential properties  in Islamabad.

because making so much hike in tax in one go was totally unjustified and would add to the difficulties of businessmen and the citizens.

The meeting was held under the chair of President Ahmed Hassan Moughal.

Speaking at the occasion, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that Mayor Islamabad was not authorized to make unilateral increase in property tax and cautioned that if the said increase was not withdrawn, business community and citizens of Islamabad would have no option except to resort to court for the remedy.

He said that MCI has not done any development work in markets for the last four years due to which markets were presenting a dilapidated look. He said it seemed that political differences have motivated Mayor Islamabad to make 200 percent increase in property just to throw up new challenges for the government, which was not a good move.

He said due to exorbitant increase in property tax, people would not criticize the Mayor Islamabad, but they would blame the current government for this unjustified increase. He appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to take notice of this situation and issue directions to MCI for immediate withdrawal of hike in property tax.

Rafat Farid Senior Vice President and Iftikhar Anwar Sethi Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that MCI has unilaterally made 200 percent increase in property tax from 1st July 2019 without arranging any public hearing, which was not justified. They emphasized that MCI should have organized a public hearing on the issue and after getting the input of stakeholders, should have taken a consensus decision.

They said that business community was already facing many problems in running businesses due to multiple factors and in such circumstances, doubling property tax would put heavy burden on them.

They said that at the one hand, MCI was increasing taxes on businesses, but on the other hand it was not taking any measures to develop markets and industrial areas on modern lines.

They said that water scarcity issue in Islamabad was not solved, but its charges have also been raised. They urged that if MCI was imposing taxes on business community, it should also take urgent measures to improve the basic infrastructure in commercial/industrial areas and in markets.(INP)

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