YCC approves tax hike, likely to increase prices of locally manufactured vehicles
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the increase in sales tax on manufacturers at the local level, after which the prices of vehicles are likely to increase. According to sources, sales tax of up to 25% will now be imposed on vehicles worth 4 million or 1400 cc. Sources say that the sales tax imposed on vehicles worth 4 million or 1400 cc will be imposed in the upcoming budget as well, after the approval of ECC, vehicles are expected to become more expensive in the country. In the meeting, the ECC directed the Competition Commission to investigate the recent hike in fertilizer prices and take action against those involved. The ECC says the Competition Commission should take action against those involved in the recent hike in fertilizer prices.
Source:The Patriot
February 15, 2024 16:31 UTC
The birth of a nation
The country was created in 1947, but it wouldn’t be wrong to argue that the nation was born on February 8, 2024. That crowd also coalesced and became a nation, much like the dust coalescing to form planets and stars. No other nation is fortunate enough to have a leader that with the power of his character and charisma can unite the entire nation. Pakistan didn’t have to beat the drums of war or be attacked by India for the nation to come together. And no war has coalesced the nation together like Imran Khan has with nothing but charisma and the strength of character.
Source:The Nation
February 15, 2024 07:54 UTC
Forward Steps
The acting prime minister declared lately that we need to “move on” because the country had “accepted” the election results. Respectfully, this looks like an overly optimistic interpretation of an extremely complex scenario. The fact that Mr. Kakar is still struggling to define what “free and fair” implies is equally peculiar. If the ECP is unable to arrange a seamless handover of power from one elected government to the next, it would be held responsible. They do, however, appear a little startling coming from someone who is only given one task to complete in the office.
Source:The Patriot
February 15, 2024 07:34 UTC
Modi inaugurates first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI - India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, the largest in the United Arab Emirates, boosting his credentials as a global statesman months before he heads to the polls in a nationwide election where he is seeking a rare third term in power. The BAPS Hindu Mandir, built on a sprawling 27-acre site in the Abu Dhabi desert, is the city’s first traditional Hindu stone mandir, its pink sandstone columns topped by seven spires representing the number of Sheikhs that rule each of the Emirates. Yet, analysts expect this will not present an issue for Modi during his visit, given India’s rising prominence, its growing economy and strategic position on the global stage. It’s like the religion and pride of India going overseas,” Ali said. “He’s sending a message to the world: India is the protector of the Hindu religion.” The opening of the Abu Dhabi Temple comes just a few weeks after Modi inaugurated the controversial Ram Mandir, a temple built on the foundations of a centuries-old mosque that was torn down by hardline Hindu crowds in the early 1990s in northern India.
Source:The Nation
February 14, 2024 23:27 UTC
With 2 days left in the IMF deadline, the decision to increase gas prices could not be made
ISLAMABAD: There are two days left before the expiry of the deadline for the assurance given to the IMF regarding the increase in gas prices, but the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee meeting could not decide on the summary of the increase in gas prices. ECC has decided to further consider the summary of gas prices, due to the increase, gas prices will increase for the third time in a year and the implementation of Ogra recommendations will put an additional burden on gas consumers of about 100 billion rupees. A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee was held under the chairmanship of caretaker finance minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar. After the approval of ECC, the approval of the prices will be taken from the Federal Cabinet, after which the OGRA will issue a notification. OGRA has approved an average increase of 35.13% in tariff for gas consumers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Islamabad, and 8.57% for consumers of Sindh and Balochistan.
Source:The Patriot
February 14, 2024 15:05 UTC
Fazl rejects ‘rigged’ election results
He also expressed reservations about the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) role which, he alleged, had been “dubious from day one”. He accused the election process of being manipulated at the behest of “anti-Islamic forces”. He went on to claim that the election results indicated widespread bribery and asserted that the party's candidates and workers faced threats and intimidation. He accused the Election Commission of Pakistan of being under the control of the establishment, claiming that the entire election process was manipulated. "The election process was held hostage, with bribes influencing both victories and defeats.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 14, 2024 14:41 UTC
Indian spies sentenced in Qatar were released by Shahrukh Khan, BJP leader
New Delhi: India’s Hindu extremist ruling party BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha member Subramaniam Swamy has made a sensational revelation and said that Qatar had sentenced eight Indian naval officers to death for spying for Israel. Indian actor Shah Rukh played a role in the release. According to Indian media, Subramunimswamy says that the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security Adviser had failed to return this decision to Qatar. In response to one of Modi’s messages on Twitter, he also suggested to the Indian Prime Minister that Prime Minister Modi should take Shah Rukh Khan with him when he goes to Qatar, because the advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security has failed in this task.
Source:The Patriot
February 14, 2024 13:22 UTC
Webinar on “Big Data in Space Sciences” today
ISLAMABAD - ISNET Secretariat has planned to organize webinar on “Big Data in Space Sciences” on February 14 (Wednesday) with experts deliberating over the impact of big data in space sciences. According to the ISNET, the webinar is aimed at providing an opportunity to the practitioners, researchers, and educators to discuss the most recent innovations, as well as practical challenges encountered in the context of big data from space. The experts in the field will share their insights into the transformative impact of big data in space sciences. While Aerospace Engineer, Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Specialist, Mostafa Azadi Aghdam will speak on the topic, “Space based cloud data storage network. General Manager, Space Application and Research Wing, SUPARCO, Ayyaz Ameen will speak on the topic, “Ionospheric Modelling Using Big Data”.
Source:The Nation
February 14, 2024 13:20 UTC
Police arrest 2 anti-social elements
ATTOCK - Police have arrested two anti-social elements and recovered 30 litre liquor and 500 kites from their possession. Cases under the act have been registered against them and have been sent behind the bars. During the first attempt, Hazro police recovered 30 litre liquor from Daud Arshad who was traveling by his private car. During the second attempt, police arrested Rasool Khan and recovered 500 kites and five rolls of string.
Source:The Nation
February 14, 2024 13:10 UTC
Pawan Kalyan’s Godavari districts tour postponed
VIJAYAWADA: Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan’s three-day tour of Godavari districts from Wednesday has been postponed as permission was denied for the landing of his helicopter at Bhimavaram. Pawan’s plan was to visit both Godavari districts from February 14 to 17. On the first day, he was to participate in various meetings in Bhimavaram. By the time the election campaign started, Pawan Kalyan would have visited various areas three times. After the tour of both Godavari districts, the party’s campaign committee was to finalise PK’s tours to other areas.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 14, 2024 06:55 UTC
Bilawal wants to see Zardari become president
Bilawal said his party wasn't interested in a new alliance with the PML-N but would support any government formed by them on certain issues. Zardari, who served as the president of the country during from 2008 to 2013, has faced corruption allegations throughout his political life so far. “We will support political parties without becoming part of the government in the shape of ministries or PDM 2 as people are saying. Bilawal said the PPP decided to form a committee to engage with other political parties for the formation of government and political stability. Separately, PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari said that he and other political leaders gathered with him decided to form the government together.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 14, 2024 05:58 UTC
Indian magazine ordered to delete IIOJK army killings report
An Indian news magazine said Tuesday that the government had ordered it to delete an online report that implicated soldiers in the torture and killing of civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The magazine said Tuesday that the information ministry had sent it an official order demanding the story be taken down within 24 hours. The information ministry declined to comment. Tens of thousands of soldiers, rebels and civilians have been killed since the outbreak of a freedom struggle against Indian rule in 1989. Read also: Three Indian soldiers killed in IIOJK gunfightIndia blames Pakistan for backing ‘militants’, a charge Islamabad denies, saying it only supports a Kashmiri struggle for the right to self-determination.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 13, 2024 21:41 UTC
Smaller parties dominate as nation awaits new government
They won 75 and 54 out of the 266 direct National Assembly seats, respectively. In Balochistan particularly, a coalition government is usually formed with the help of multiple smaller parties. This time too, these electables have managed to clinch eight National Assembly and over two dozen provincial assembly seats. In several regions, local people do not feel comfortable with the mainstream political parties, instead they go with local groups or parties,” Ali explained to Anadolu. These regional groups, he said, are more connected with the locals, compared to the mainstream political parties that are always more focused on larger national issues.
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2024 20:21 UTC
As B2B startups shut shop or scale down, Bazaar too struggles to tide over current crisis
Founded in May 2020, Bazaar at its core is a distribution business, providing inventory to neighborhood convenience stores – a market of about 800,000 retailers in Pakistan. Bazaar provided inventory not only to retailers but also wholesalers on an app-based service and through an in-house delivery fleet. In face of the difficult environment, Bazaar diversified to segments other than mom-and-pop stores, such as pharma and mobile phones. He also revealed that Bazaar is scaling other business segments, prioritising the core food and grocery business, offices and restaurants, as well as industrials. Currently Bazaar employs over 450 people and has over 1100 associated members, according to the company’s Linkedin profile.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 13, 2024 19:57 UTC
PDM leaders renew coalition, decide to form unity govt
“We have chosen to unite and form a government to steer Pakistan out of crisis. Regardless of the challenges Pakistan is grappling with—be it economic, terrorism, or reconciliation—PTI is also part of this reconciliation effort. He expressed MQM-P's support for Shehbaz Sharif, affirming the party's commitment to honouring its promises. He mentioned his party's support for Nawaz Sharif. He further highlighted that the government led by Shehbaz Sharif would focus on decisions aimed at improving the country's welfare.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 13, 2024 19:32 UTC