KARACHI: All arrangements have been finalized for by-election in National Assembly constituency NA-240 is underway on Thursday.
The polling has started at 8am and will continue till 5pm without any break.
There are 529,853 registered voters in the constituency who will exercise their right of vote today. The number of female voters in the constituency is 235,470 while the number of male voters is 294,385.
The National Assembly seat comprising Landhi and Korangi area of District Korangi in Karachi had fallen vacant after the death of the MQM-P MNA Deputy Iqbal Muhammad on April 19.
The ECP had declared 203 polling stations in the constituency ‘very sensitive’ out of 309 polling stations while the remaining 106 polling stations have been declared ‘sensitive’.
At least 25 candidates are contesting the by-election in NA-240 out of which 18 are independents. A close contest is expected between MQM-P, TLP, PSP, PPP and Mohajir Qaumi Movement.
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leader Moonis Elahi on Thursday appeared before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
FIA has prepared a questionnaire for Moonis for the investigation. It was asked that If he knows Nawaz Bhatti and Mazhar Iqbal. What does he has to do with the Rahim Yar Khan Sugar Mill? It was also asked that what does he know about the permission letter of Rahim Yar Khan Sugar Mill in 2007?
FIA further questioned that how Makhdoom Umar Sheheryar then got the license of the sugar mill? While several other questions were asked from him.
Earlier on Wednesday, Moonis Elahi had also appeared before FIA. While talking to media, he said that he is present and has no objection to appearing in the case.
“I don’t have much information about the case, but according to Rana Sanaullah there is a case of Rs72 crore and there is no doubt that they have filed the case as political revenge” Moonis said.
Taking a dig at the Interior Minister, he said that Rana Sanaullah has formed the teams to arrest him and it is all to pressurize him.
“Rana sahib do what you can, I have reached the FIA’s office myself,” said.
ISLAMABAD: As the country sizzled with heatwave, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast pre-monsoon rains from Wednesday (today) in upper parts of the country and from Thursday (tomorrow) in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The new wet spell is likely to continue till June 23.
The Met Office revealed that as the heatwave conditions were likely to subside, water availability would improve for crops, vegetables and orchards.
The authorities concerned have been advised to remain alert during the forecast period.
It said moist currents from Arabian Sea were likely to penetrate upper parts of the country from June 15. Under the influence of the weather system, rain-wind/thundershowers (with few heavy falls) are expected in Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Hattian, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan (Astore, Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamir, Hunza and Skardu).
Rain-wind/thundershowers are also expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad and Jhang from June 16 to 21 and in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Kot Adu, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Khanpur and Rahimyar Khan from June 17 to 20 with occasional gaps.
Heavy falls are expected in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Kasur and Sheikhupura on June 16 and June 17 that may generate urban flooding.
Rain-wind/thundershowers (with isolated heavy falls) are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat, Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan from June 15 to June 22.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Rawalpindi Noorul Amin Mengal has asked Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to complete the dredging of Leh Nullah as soon as possible to avoid flooding in the nearby areas.
He said the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners would ensure the cleanliness of nullahs and drains in their respective areas.
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has given the go ahead to restore weekly offs on Saturdays in government offices, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced after a crucial federal cabinet meeting Tuesday.
The cabinet met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed how the government can deal with the energy crisis at hand due to which the public has had to suffer hours-long load-shedding.
The power division presented an energy conservation plan to tackle the shortage of electricity amid skyrocketing prices of oil and gas in the international market and the finance division an austerity plan, according to Aurangzeb.
Although the cabinet approved the resumption of Saturdays as a holiday, no decision could be made over closing markets by 7pm to save power.
She said there are suggestions of allowing work-from-home on Fridays and early closure of markets. A cabinet sub-committee has been formed which will now deliberate over the early closure of markets and hold consultations with other traders and business sector stakeholders.
Apart from this, a 40% cut in the fuel quota of ministers and government employees was also approved.
Aurangzeb further stated that except for important visits, unnecessary foreign visits of the government officials have been banned, while taking medical treatment outside Pakistan has been banned on the government officials and cabinet members.
Moreover, the purchase of cars at the government level has been restricted and a decision has been taken to shift the government meetings to virtual and video mode. Organising lunches, hi-teas and dinners at government offices has also been banned.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier suggested two holidays a week to overcome the energy crisis.
The information minister said that after June 30, the duration of load-shedding will be reduced to two hours.
She said that the duration of load-shedding will be slashed to three-and-a-half hours by June 15, while by June 30 it will be reduced to only two hours as 600 megawatts will be added to the national grid.
She said that currently there is a difference in the supply and demand of electricity.
“The demand is 28,400 MW, while the available supply is 25,600 MW,” she said.
Aurangzeb claimed that Pakistan produced greater amount of electricity this month as compared to the last year. She said that PM Shehbaz Sharif only looked into the matter of load-shedding for two days and now 2,871 MW of additional electricity has been added to the system.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Twitter, Khawaja Asif had said that in the current situation, there should be a holiday on Saturday and Sunday and a half day on Friday, i.e. a four-and-a-half-day work week.
He proposed that office timings be increased by an hour on working days.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have yet to reach an agreement on the fiscal framework, as Islamabad makes last-ditch efforts to persuade the IMF to approve manageable fiscal adjustments’ of 1.5% to 2% of the GDP in the upcoming budget.
The economic managers are still in a difficult situation, as on the one hand they must persuade the IMF of a slower pace of fiscal adjustments, while on the other they must gain the confidence of their political leadership over tough measures.
“The discussions with the Pakistani authorities, aimed at reaching an agreement to enable the conclusion of the pending seventh review under the 2019 Extended Fund Facility (EFF), are ongoing and remain very constructive”, IMF’s resident chief, Esther Perez Ruiz, said.
“The IMF recognizes the authorities’ efforts to bring fuel prices in line with international prices as part of a comprehensive set of policies and reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and meet programme objectives.”
“The budget for the next fiscal year is a key policy instrument in this regard. The IMF looks forward to facilitating review progress via continued dialogue and close engagement with Pakistan’s government,” she added.
However, Pakistani authorities, especially a Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) team, along with the Ministry of Finance, would be required to convince the IMF’s specialist on the fiscal front that the taxation measures would be able to broaden the tax base as well as jack up the tax collection beyond Rs7.255 trillion and up to Rs7.5 trillion without creating distortions in the tax system.
When a top official government functionary was contacted for comments, he said that the government was still making efforts to convince the IMF on the pace of adjustments on the fiscal front, which would be unveiled in the upcoming budget, as the government wanted to undertake fiscal adjustments in the range of 1.5 to 2% of GDP, equivalent to Rs1.5 trillion to Rs2 trillion maximum in the coming budget through raising the country’s revenues and curtailing expenditures, Geo News reported.
The IMF placed the reformed Personal Income Tax (PIT) as a structural benchmark, but the FBR wants to avoid increasing tax rates, especially on lower slabs and reduce the number of slabs from 12 to six in the upcoming budget.
Although the federal finance minister publicly refused to jack up PIT rates in the coming budget, insiders say that everything was still open to taking the IMF into confidence before the announcement of the budget within the next few days. The budget for 2022–23 will be announced on June 10, 2022.
The FBR is making efforts to convince the IMF to slap increased rates on higher-income slabs, and it is also under consideration to impose a luxury tax on higher slabs over and above the income tax rate in the coming budget.
However, the FBR is busy identifying income tax exemptions in the coming budget. There are different income tax exemptions that are under consideration to be withdrawn in the budget for 2022–23.
However, it requires the political will of the government to take the bold decision to withdraw income tax exemptions such as charitable donations, investment in shares and insurance, investment in health insurance, and contribution to an approved pension fund, introduced in the Finance Act 2021 for specified industrial undertakings; Clause 57(1) Income of NIT Trust; Clause 66-Comsats; Clause 99A-Profit from the sale of immovable property to a REIT; Cl 103A-inter-corporate dividend; Cl 105B-dividends; and Cl 132C (inserted by Finance Act 2021 with retrospective effect from 2013) on income from bagasse-based power projects.
The tax credits are mostly for individuals as income tax exemptions are available to military personnel, judges, presidents, governors, and ministers on different perks and privileges, and it is yet to see whether the government withdraws these income tax exemptions or continue by citing different excuses in the next budget.
KARACHI: Four bogies of 15 Up Karachi Express train were derailed near Karachi Cantt Station soon after the train departed for Lahore.
According to spokesman for Pakistan Railways, the Lahore bound train s four bogies including two Economy Class coaches, one AC Standard and one AC Sleeper coach derailed near Karachi Cantt Station when the train was running at 15kp/h speed.
Fortunately no loss of life was reported due to the derailment of coaches while the relief work had been initiated. The spokesman said soon the track would be cleared for rail traffic.
ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has said all the legislators from treasury and opposition benches of the Senate, Upper House of the Parliament, would stage a protest demonstration before the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday.
He said this seconding the proposal of Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman during the debate in the Senate on the blasphemous comments, uttered by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leaders.
Sanjrani also planned to form a three-member delegation to raise the issue at the United Nations (UN) as it would discourage its reoccurrence anywhere in the world.
Seeking permission for open discussion on the issue, Leader of the House Azam Nazeer Tarar condemned the sacrilegious comments about Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by the BJP leaders in the strongest terms.
He said the BJP leaders had not only hurt the feelings of Indian Muslims but also the entire Ummah.
Leader of the Opposition Dr Waseem Shahzad said Islamophobia had taken the most lethal form in India. The Muslim Ummah should boycott the Indian products all over the world like that of the residents of some Middle Eastern countries.
Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat Islami said India wanted to rob the regional peace through creating religious disharmony. He proposed to call an immediate submit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to give a collective response in a befitting manner to India on the issue.
Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said,”We should hold dialogue with world to control the burgeoning incidents of Islamophobia.”
Dr Asif Kirmani of PML-N said an international drive should be launched to sort out the solution of blasphemous issues on permanent basis, and the OIC and the UN should also be taken on board on the matter.
PTI’s Faisal Javed said the blasphemous comments about Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not acceptable at any cost. “We should take practical steps to counter the issues pertaining to Islamophobia.”
PPP’s Rubina Khalid said besides condemning such blasphemous incidents, “we should follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in letter and spirit”.
PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani termed it a black day as the BJP leaders had hurt the sentiments of entire Muslim Ummah.
Kamil Ali Agha of the PML-Q said an explanation should be sought from the Indian government on the gruesome issue from the platform of OIC.
PTI’s Shibli Faraz said it was painful when someone passed blasphemous comments regarding the beloved Prophet (PBUH), and appreciated the Middle Eastern countries’ practical response by boycotting the Indian products.
Danesh Kumar condemning the incident, said it was an individuals’ act as the Hindu community was also in love with the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said he would lead the protest demonstration to express his love with the great personality of the world.
NA condemns BJP leaders’ derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution, strongly condemning the derogatory remarks uttered by India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders against Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The resolution, moved by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said the whole nation was in the state of shock to hear such remarks by the two BJP leaders.
The resolution said the Muslims across the world had great love and affection for Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH), as in the Holy Quran they (Muslims) had been bound to love the Prophet (PBUH) more than their parents and children.
It said the derogatory remarks had saddened the whole nation, including the non-Muslims.
The resolution said with such remarks, the Muslims living in India had also been harassed and mentioned that the BJP government always followed the anti-Muslim policy.
The resolution demanded of the Indian government to take strict action against the BJP leaders, who had passed such derogatory remarks and hurt the sentiments of Muslims, besides ensuring that such remarks should not be repeated.
It also urged the international community to take notice of India’s anti-Muslim policy.
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly recommended the government to approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) for legal action against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan as his ‘anti-state statement’ could undermine Pakistan’s security and integrity as well as its atomic programme.
The House unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by Economic Affairs Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, condemning former prime minister Imran Khan’s remarks given in a television interview about the country’s disintegration, strategic assets and the armed forces.
The resolution said the House was very well aware of the fact that the armed forces were not only discharging their responsibilities according to the Constitution and laws, but were also the guarantor of defending Pakistan’s geographical boundaries.
The House acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by the brave armed forces for the defence of the country and tackling the issue of terrorism.
It also strongly deplored Imran Khan’s statement of breaking Pakistan into three parts and defaming the armed forces of the country for political objectives.
NA passes four bills including establishment of Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Authority
The National Assembly on Monday passed four bills, including the establishment of National Rahamatul-Lil-Aalameen Authority with certain amendments after clause by clause reading with majority votes.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi, on behalf of Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain, moved the National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Authority Bill-2022 as reported by the standing committee concerned that was unanimously passed after incorporating certain amendments introduced by legislators, including Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani and Dr Shazia Sbia Aslam Soomro.
The House approved substituting the expression “Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen” with “Rahmatul-Lil-Alameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin”.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the legislation, it is aimed at establishing a National Rahmatul-Lil-Alameen Authority to undertake several interventions to promote Seerat research and lessons from it ‘for positive’ changes in Pakistani society and provide factual narrative about the lift of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The bill will help promote research on Seerat, guide young generation on key humanistic elements of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) life, review, consolidate and support international literature and narrative around Seerat. It will build linkages with provincial governments and prominent institutions and prominent institutions working on Seerat, promote Seerat chairs in higher education institutions, and formulate strategies and frameworks for organizing impactful events to promote lessons of Seerat-ul-Tayyabba.
The House also okayed the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Bill-2022 after clause by clause reading, which was moved by Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha.
The bill focuses on governance and operations of the state-owned enterprises to ensure quality of service delivery and the fiscal discipline, besides good governance and accountability.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi moved the Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on behalf of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry that was passed with majority vote after clause by clause reading.
The House also passed the National Highways Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on behalf of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry.
KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee has further lost its value by 98 paisa due to delays in loans and depleting foreign exchange reserves.
The rupee was quoted around 198.80 against the greenback in early trade compared to 197.92 per USD in the previous session close in the interbank market.
Though the current status of foreign exchange reserves is quite depressing, the reserves will see a notable improvement in days to come as Pakistan will shortly receive $2.3bn from China.
According to Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, the terms and conditions for refinancing of around $2.3bn deposit by Chinese banks have been agreed and the federal cabinet also accorded its approval.
