Category: Information Technology

The customs authorities of Afghanistan and Iran are fully cooperating with the Pakistani tax authorities to setup customs border markets at border areas of these two neighbouring countries.

Sources familiar with the matter told ProPakistani that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is closely working with Afghanistan and Iran to finalize a new tax policy to control smuggling by establishing customs border markets at border areas of Iran and Afghanistan.

The new policy will be chalked out with the help of Afghan authorities and Irianin customs for establishing border markets at these areas.

In this regard, the FBR is also interacting with the customs department of Iran and Afghanistan on regular basis.

There are such kinds of markets in the world where border trade is allowed and the FBR is also studying international models to finalize a new tax policy to control smuggling by establishing customs border markets.

When asked whether the FBR will create black markets at border areas and provide benefits to the elite and powerful, FBR officials responded that globally such markets exist for border trade. The FBR is actively engaged with the authorities of Iran and Afghanistan for establishment of such markets.

The markets on the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders will provide better business and trade opportunities to people living in the border areas, a businessmen said.

In September 2020, chairing a meeting on the establishment of border markets, Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced establishment of 18 border markets on the country’s international frontier with Afghanistan and Iran, three of which would be completed and activated by February next year as pilot project. These markets would not only provide better trade opportunities to the people living in the border areas but also help check smuggling.

PM had approved the establishment of two border markets in Balochistan and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the pilot project, which would be completed and activated by February.

The prime minister directed all the departments concerned to complete the deployment of relevant staff in the approved corridors and border markets on a priority basis.

The meeting was informed that 12 border markets would be set up on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and another six on the Pakistan-Iran border. The meeting also decided to take more effective measures to curb cross-border smuggling.

“The establishment of these markets will provide better business and trade opportunities to the people living in the border areas, especially the youth,” Prime Minister said, adding that these would also help regulate trade after the fencing at the borders and check smuggling.

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Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Hammad Azhar, briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production about the Electric Vehicle Policy in connection with the Automotive Development Policy (ADP).

The 13th meeting of the standing committee was held under the chairmanship of Member National Assembly (MNA), Sajid Hussain Turi.

The Minister informed that under ADP 2016-21, twenty new investors have been granted greenfield status. He said that the government has tried to create competition by granting functional licenses to six new entrants namely:

M/s Kia Lucky Motors Pvt Ltd;
M/s United Motors (Pvt) Ltd;
M/s Regal Automobile Industries Ltd;
M/s Foton JW Auto Park (PVT) Ltd;
M/s Master Motors Ltd;
M/s Hyundai Nishat Motor (Pvt) Ltd.

Hammad Azhar further informed that the total on-ground investment in this regard would be $476 million.

Azhar said that this policy will strengthen the automotive sector of Pakistan by increasing the overall installed capacity of local industries up to 418,000 per annum by June 2021 as compared to 280,000 in the last year.

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Engineering Devolvement Board (EDB) Director-General, further added that tariff announced for Hybrid-electric Vehicle (HEVs) under ADP 2016-21 will provide 50 percent exemption to 1800cc CBUS and 25 percent exemption to HEVs exceeding 1800cc.

Committee Member, Mustafa Mehmud, expressed his concern about the Hybrid vehicles; strongly suggesting that the electric vehicles technology should be launched instead of the Hybrid Technology.

He added that electric charging stations on solar-based technology should be encouraged and the re-use of batteries at home should be made a viable option; quoting the example of the USA-based TESLA batteries which are re-used.

The Minister also informed that as a first step, policies relating to 2-3 wheelers and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs) have been approved by the Cabinet and will be implemented. The EV Policy for 4 wheelers is being finalized by an inter-ministerial committee formulated under the administrative control of the Planning and Chairmanship of the Minister for Industries and Production.

While talking about the recommendations made by the Committee in its previous meetings regarding the tax regime applied on imported parts and local vendors related to the automobile sector.

The Engineering Development Board (EDB) informed that they have already been recommended for removal of Additional Custom Duty, Additional Sales Tax, and Federal Excise Duty to the government.

The Committee members have expressed their concerns over the higher prices of vehicles in the country and misuse of gift schemes for the import of vehicles.

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The Committee recommended to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for an early release of income tax and sales tax refunds to Millat Tractors and Honda Atlas Car (Pakistan) Ltd, Lahore. The Member’s Policy FBR ensures that compliance reports in this respect will be furnished to the secretariat, shortly.

Director-General Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM) briefed the Committee about the budget, source of training, renting out the PIM building to J.S Bank, and appointments plus promotions made by the institution during the last three years.

The Committee expressed grave concerns on awarding of the PIM building to J.S Bank without adopting proper procedure.

The Committee discussed the termination of 16 stenotypists from (Ministry of Industries & Production) service. The Additional Secretary Administration, briefed the Committee about the reason for their termination in detail. He informed that an inquiry was initiated within the Ministry and Establishment Division against the officers of the Ministry of Industries & Production as well as the Establishment Division, allegedly involved in this matter.

After a detailed discussion, the Committee unanimously recommended that the Secretariat Training Institute (STI) may be requested for the training of terminated stenotypists by providing them a final opportunity on humanitarian grounds.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Sahibzada Sibgatullah, Sajida Begum, Usama Qadri, Muhammad Akram, Ali Gohar Khan, Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Watto, Shandana Gulzar Khan, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, and Syed Mustafa Mahmud MNAs besides the senior officers of Ministry of Industries & Production and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The post Auto Policy to Increase Installed Capacity of Local Industries by 50% appeared first on .

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As per recent reports, the Punjab government has decided to introduce a policy in the Punjab Motor Vehicle Transaction License 2015, whereby an unauthorized dealer with less than ten years of experience in the market will have to pay double the security fee than that of an authorized dealer. An unauthorized dealer with over ten years of experience will have to pay the same security fee as that of an authorized dealer.

This step was reportedly taken in order to bring the maximum number of dealers into the tax net and to curb illegal transactions within the regional automotive market.

The decision was made by the provincial government in the thirty-seventh cabinet meeting that was convened by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, and attended by provincial ministers, advisers, and special assistants.

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Also on the agenda was the plan to bring agricultural lands and other types of areas surrounding the national highways, provincial highways, and motorways into the property tax net under the Punjab Finance Act, 2019.

The Government of Punjab reportedly plans to maximize the revenue and reinvest it into the economic, social, and infrastructural development of the province.

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Last week, Buzdar formally approved the proposed plan for the running of Green Electric Buses across Lahore. He added that the buses will run on six routes which will collectively be 103 kilometers long and that the buses will soon become functional in the other cities of Punjab under a public-private partnership.

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Karachi Kings vs. Lahore Qalandars in the final of the PSL has got every fan excited. Two of the biggest cities in the country share a rivalry like no other and the fans are not holding back either on social media.

Pakistanis are well-known for their sense of humor and the biggest extravaganza in Pakistan’s cricket has brought forward a lot of quality meme content.

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Let’s have a look at some of the funniest memes circulating on Twitter ahead of the all-important clash:

Some fun Lahore Vs Karachi things i came across. Share if you have any more. Haha
Loving this fun rivalry. #PSL2020 #LahoreQalandars #KarachiKings #PSL5Final pic.twitter.com/SgVIf1ADrN

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 17, 2020

Karachi and Lahore on one side, the love for Babar Azam on the other.

pic.twitter.com/DiZey9Q5Fi

— Almas Raheel Siddique (@almas_raheel) November 17, 2020

The stakes are high.

Karachi vs Lahore as Final. It doesn't get better and bigger. We Feast.
Meanwhile Fans on Both ends: pic.twitter.com/tnDnMMH0Gl

— Sumaiyaaa ?? (@dezaster_here) November 17, 2020

LAHORE VS KARACHI THE GRAND FINAL pic.twitter.com/TEBaejWdsI

— Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi (@chittakukkarr) November 15, 2020

Karachi Vs Lahore final leaked scenes pic.twitter.com/vYjBPYtBZZ

— Hamza.A (@hamzaalicohalic) November 15, 2020

Full marks for the photoshop effort on this one.

NO, it's not India vs Pakistan, it will be Karachi vs Lahore in PSL final. Goosebumps??#HBLPSLV #KarachiKings pic.twitter.com/aGbbTytj81

— Iqra (@Iqraaa_Asif) November 16, 2020

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We thought only the Simpsons predicted the future. Family Guy gets in on the action as well.

The maker of this cartoon saw the future. #LahoreQalandar #KarachiKings #PSL5 pic.twitter.com/ZChrYrED3Q

— الف (@ahmedalitweets) November 15, 2020

Its not only Karachi Kings?Vs Lahore Qalandars?#LQvKK #PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/Jez7lKBvU3

— Kamran Shahzad (@K_A_M_I) November 17, 2020

The match is set to be a classic and we all hope it lives up to its hype.

The post These are the Funniest Karachi Vs. Lahore Memes Ahead of PSL Final appeared first on .

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The Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood, led an official delegation to Afghanistan from 16 to 17 November 2020 for discussions on bilateral trade, Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), and investment-related matters between the two countries.

This delegation was preceded by last month’s visit of Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nisar Ahmad Ghoriani, to Pakistan where he extended the special invitation of the Afghan President to visit Kabul this month.

Apart from the Adviser to PM on Commerce, the delegation included high-level officials from the Ministries of Commerce and Maritime, Federal Board of Revenue (Customs), and State Bank of Pakistan.

The Adviser met several dignitaries representing a cross-section of the Afghan government. The Adviser to PM called on the Afghan President and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to trade and economic integration.

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He also met the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah, and thanked him for his support. He also called on the Speaker of Da Afghan Wolesi Jirga and the Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank.

The 7th Meeting of the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Cooperation Authority (APTTCA) was held in Kabul after a break of more than four years. During the official talks, extensive and fruitful discussions were held on the whole spectrum of bilateral trade and investment relations including formalizing of the informal cross-border trade.

The Adviser hoped that the visit would mark the beginning of a new era of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. This would lead to the integration of the two economies and move the bilateral trade to a more formal and documented arrangement.

This deepening of trade and investment relations between the two countries would also enhance Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan and other Central Asian Countries.

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A recent survey carried out by Ipsos, a multinational global market research consulting firm, has revealed that 49% of Pakistani parents are reluctant to send their children to schools amid the resurging Coronavirus outbreak.

Titled ‘Worsening COVID-19 Realities and Diminishing Threat Perceptions’, the survey was carried out between 28 October and 4 November in which 1,072 people participated.

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According to the survey, the Coronavirus threat perception across the country has declined despite the rising number of cases. Back in April, when there were 2,000 cases and 25 deaths nationwide, 50% of Pakistanis had considered the Coronavirus disease as a threat to themselves while 83% had termed it as a threat to the country.

However, now, when the country’s Coronavirus tally stands near 360,000 cases and the death toll has crossed 7,000, only 35% of Pakistanis consider the viral infection as a threat to themselves while 43% think the pandemic is a threat to Pakistan.

When asked about the main reason behind the resurgence of Coronavirus across Pakistan, only 20% of the survey’s participants attributed the phenomenon to non-compliance with the COVID-19 SOPs.

Moreover, most Pakistanis revealed that they turn to mainstream media to seek updates on Coronavirus while a negligible percentage of Pakistanis said that they depend on social media for updates regarding the viral infection.

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Around 83% of Pakistanis disclosed that their income has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, over 50% of Pakistanis are confident that an effective Coronavirus vaccine will be available in markets before the turn of the year and normalcy will return after it.

Additionally, 3 out of 5 Pakistanis are anxiously waiting to get vaccinated as the vaccine acceptance rate has witnessed a 25% increase.

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A Jordanian-American Muslim woman was offloaded from an American Airlines flight at Newark airport after a passenger complained about her.

Amani Al Khatatbeh, an activist and a blogger from New Jersey, was on a Charlotte-bound flight on 14 November when a passenger told the staff that she made him feel ‘uncomfortable’.

Without giving her a chance to clarify, the staff promptly asked Al Khatatbeh to leave the plane. Upon her refusal, the police were called in to remove her.

Meanwhile, Al Khatatbeh insisted that both she and the complainant be disembarked for questioning.

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The activist, who had run for Congress this year, started a Facebook Live video, filming the entire incident. As is evident from the video, other passengers shouted at the airways staff in her favor, asking for the complainant to be removed as well.

She also tweeted about the incident:

Recounting the ‘racist’ incident on social media, Al Khatatbeh said she was unfairly removed from the aircraft after a passenger in the first-class harassed her.

“They’re taking his word for it. They are literally coming to remove me instead of removing both of us, for example, or removing him,” she said.

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The blogger said things began to go wrong when the man at TSA security cut her in line.

“An entitled white man behind me insisted on cutting me in line because I was “still taking my shoes off. When I said he could wait like everyone else, he started going off about how he’s “pre-check” and “first-class,” she tweeted.

Al Khatatbeh was arrested and charged with trespassing and delaying transportation. American Airlines said it is investigating the incident.

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The Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s economy has picked up as is indicated by the performance of both the external and internal economic sectors.

“Good news is coming about the economy,” the advisor said during a media briefing here. He was flanked by the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shibli Faraz.

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Dr. Shaikh said that on the internal front, Large Scale Manufacturing has witnessed around 5 percent growth after a long time with cement sales increasing up to 20 million tons, while there had been considerable growth in automobile products and fertilizers products.

He added that the country’s exports were increasing while the textile sector has received export orders for up to December.

In addition, the rupee has stabilized and enhanced its value while the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have risen up to $12.740 billion.

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On the fiscal side, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected Rs. 1340 billion in revenues in four months, which is more than the actual target that had been earmarked for the period.

Also, the FBR issued refunds of Rs. 128 billion during these four months against the refunds of Rs. 50 billion during the same period of last year while the total refunds during the last fiscal year stood at Rs. 248 billion.

Dr. Shaikh stated that the government had reduced its expenditures as there were no borrowings from the SBP while no supplementary grant had been issued.

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Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced the introduction of an electronic voting system to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Khan said that the electoral reforms are in the final stage and will be implemented after consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

He added that he intends to roll out a system for overseas Pakistanis to allow them to exercise their right to vote.

“We also want to introduce a system for overseas Pakistanis so that they could cast their votes and become a part of the decision-making process in the country,” he said.

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Citing the example of the 2013 elections, Khan emphasized that all the parties had declared that the elections had been rigged.

PML-N alleged polls were rigged in Sindh, while PPP called the 2013 general elections as ‘RO elections’.

Khan also recalled how PTI’s demand to reopen four constituencies in the 2013 elections had been denied and noted that the 2018 general elections had been relatively less rigged compared to the 2013 general elections.

As many as 133 people filed rigging pleas in 2013 general elections, while in 2018 the number was reduced to 102.

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The PM maintained that the government had formed a committee under Pervez Khattak to investigate the rigging allegations in the 2018 elections and that the opposition leaders had skipped the committee’s meetings after the first session.

Khan called on the opposition parties to join hands in the legislations for the electoral reforms so that no party could raise allegations about the transparency of the polls in the future. He also urged the need for constitutional amendments to discard secret balloting and to allow Senate elections via a show of hand.

Finally, the premier thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for their confidence in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the recently concluded elections and vowed to fulfill all the promises that he had made during his address in Gilgit.

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