Illicit tobacco trade and Pakistan’s revenue woes
As world marks ‘No Tobacco Day’ tomorrow, Pakistan continues to lose billions worth revenue every year due to illicit tobacco trade, high-handedness of multinational companies and loopholes in the system. According to insiders, major factors responsible for sub-optimal government revenues are three-tier tax structure and illicit tobacco trade, which fluctuates with NGO estimates of 10pc of the market to MNC’s estimates of 33pc of the market, sources said. Besides the financial impacts, the tobacco trade has innumerable health hazards attached to it. Amid Covid-19 crisis, some tobacco companies have been putting their logo on free face masks, while others have offered doorstep delivery during quarantine. Among the young population, 10.7pc of all youth – including 6.6pc girls and 13.3pc boys – consume tobacco or tobacco products.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 16:18 UTC
French probe into flight data of crashed PIA airliner to start on June 2
PARIS: Work on the flight data and cockpit voice recorders of a crashed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane will begin in France on June 2, investigators said on Saturday. “The mission on site (of the crash) is about to be completed,” BEA, the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation, said on Twitter. It added that Pakistani investigators would fly to France along with the French team. Under international aviation rules, BEA investigators joined the Pakistan-led inquiry because the 15-year-old jet was designed in France. Later, the team visited the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) headquarters where they were given a detailed briefing on the ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Accident and Investigation Board’s (AAIB) four-member investigation team.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 15:56 UTC
‘Sick’ Nawaz enjoys a day out in London
This is reportedly the first time that the PML-N supremo has left his apartment to go out in public after the Covid-19 outbreak hit London. Nawaz reportedly walked on foot from Avenfield Flats, where he resides, to Edgware Road, where he took tea. Commenting on the London picture, Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz observed that the purpose of uploading the snapshot was defamation and not promotion. The act sparked alarm among members of the Sharif family. Commenting further on Nawaz’s latest picture, Maryam questioned if the click was such a good act, why was it done in a cowardly manner.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 15:29 UTC
Railways to ply five more trains, minister says
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Saturday announced to operate five more trains in the coming days, saying all standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be implemented. Addressing a press conference, the federal minister said that Pakistan Railways has suffered a loss of Rs50 million during the last 10 days for allowing passengers under the designed SOPs. The minister also requested Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to inaugurate the Bahawalpur railway station. Sheikh Rasheed said that railways is not in a position to resume 100 trains due to lack of safety equipment at many railway stations. The minister said that next 90 days are important in politics of Pakistan, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan will take action against the flour and sugar mafia.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 15:10 UTC
President asks PIA to expedite compensation to crash victims’ heirs
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has directed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines, Air Marshal Arshad Malik to expedite the process of compensation to the families of plane crash victims. He also directed the CEO to ensure implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) as PIA has resumed flight operation. The CEO PIA briefed the president about the investigation into the plane crash and the relief efforts made by the national airline. Meanwhile, the chief executive officer visited the house of PIA airhostess Anam Khan in Lahore, who died in the plane crash in Karachi. The PIA may operate flights but resumption of international flights also depends on other countries.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 15:00 UTC
‘Liquidity constraints’: Garment manufacturers for zero-rating facility in FY21
LAHORE: The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has called for the restoration of zero-rating facility of ‘no payment and no refund of sales tax’ for the export-oriented sectors, which have been facing severe liquidity issues due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Moreover, he added, the last date for submission of claims of duty drawback on taxes should be extended. He said availability of liquidity and smooth cash flow would encourage the exporters to enhance their exports and cement their business ties with the foreign counterparts. The PRGMEA chairman sought a clear policy with regard to pending refund claims. As soon as the bank may report payment realization on WEBOC, rebate and DLTL claims should be highlighted in green,” he added.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 14:46 UTC
Javed Jabbar resigns from 10th NFC after backlash
–Former senator says any qualified citizen of Pakistan is eligible to represent any province in NFC, other bodies–Says stepping down from office ‘to enable representation on basis of broad political consensus’KARACHI: Former senator Javed Jabbar on Saturday announced his resignation from the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), citing “political opposition to his nomination”. He thanked President Dr Arif Alvi, Balochistan Governor Justice (r) Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, and Chief Minister Jam Kamal Alyani for his nomination as the non-statutory member from Balochistan to the 10th NFC, as notified on May 12. Several residents of Balochistan conveyed their valued felicitations and support for my nomination,” the statement claimed. Stressing that consensus is the cornerstone of NFC’s work and its declared awards, Jabbar stated: “Ideally, there should also be a reasonably broad political consensus within Balochistan about nominations to the NFC. “A formal letter of resignation has been electronically transmitted/hard copy despatched by courier earlier today to the president, governor, and chief minister,” he concluded.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 13:59 UTC
Afghan journalist and driver killed in blast
Preliminary probe shows a bomb attached by magnets to a bus used by Khurshid TV employeesKABUL: A journalist and a driver were killed and at least six people were wounded when a private bus carrying employees of an Afghan television station was bombed in Kabul on Saturday, said the director of Khurshid TV. A preliminary probe showed a bomb attached by magnets to a bus used by Khurshid TV employees was blown up during the evening rush hour. “We can confirm that a journalist and a driver were killed on the spot,” said Khurshid TV’s director Jawid Farhad, but gave no further details. Last year two employees of Khurshid TV were killed and two were injured in a similar attack. Taliban and other insurgents have repeatedly targeted Afghan journalists, killing 15 in 2018, the deadliest year yet for the Afghan media, according to the media freedom group Reporters Without Borders.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 13:41 UTC
Govt asks masses to strictly follow social distancing measures to contain Covid-19
Wearing face masks at crowded places has been made mandatory to prevent the spread of coronavirusIn view of growing number of coronavirus cases and deaths due to the disease, the government has appealed to the masses to strictly follow precautionary protocols and social distancing measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Wearing face masks at crowded places has been made mandatory to prevent the spread of coronavirus which has so far infected more than 67,000 and killed over 1,400 people across Pakistan. #Live: SAPM on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza briefing media on latest situation of coronavirus in Pakistan https://t.co/Fplfgjg9T2 — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 30, 2020He appealed to the masses to strictly follow precautionary protocols and other measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. He said healthcare workers were the frontline force in the fight against Covid-19 and the government has taken a number of measures to protect them under “We Care” programme. He also urged families of Covid-19 patients to demonstrate patience, while interacting with health workers at hospitals, who are treating the affected people.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 13:07 UTC
Protests flare around the United States over Minneapolis killing
The sometimes violent demonstrations hit cities from New York to Atlanta in a tide of anger over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer shown in video footage pinning Floyd down on the street with his knee, was charged with murder in the case on Friday. Hundreds in the city had joined a “March Against Police Brutality” late in the afternoon outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. Police armed with batons and pepper spray made scores of arrests in sometimes violent clashes. In Minneapolis, hundreds of protesters defied an 8 p.m. curfew to gather in the streets around a police station burnt the previous night.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 12:56 UTC
Music industry calls for blackout in solidarity with George Floyd
Record companies are taking a united stand against the tragic incidentThe collective fury over the death of George Floyd, who was suffocated by a Minnesota police officer kneeling on his neck during an arrest in Minneapolis, has prompted the music industry to take a united stand on Tuesday, June 2. A message circulated widely on Instagram and other social media platforms on Friday evening (May 29) called for “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community” and “an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change,” reported Variety. “Music industry black out Tuesday,” began the message. “As gatekeepers of culture, it is our responsibility to not only come together to celebrate the wins but also to hold each other up during a loss,” the message added. Other companies followed suit, including UMPG, Interscope Records, Motown, Caroline, Kobalt, Electric Feel Management, LVRN, Pulse Music Publishing and many more.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 11:37 UTC
Covid-19 becomes roadblock for 2020 Bollywood weddings
From Varun Dhawan to #RanLia, everyone will have to wait longerNow, it’s no breaking news that coronavirus has put in a spanner in the works for almost everything and everyone around the world. But did you know that the pandemic has also impacted the wedding plans of some of our favourite Bollywood celebrities, particularly Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. Hell, even Varun Dhawan and his longtime girlfriend Natasha Dalal were slated to tie the knot this year but won’t be able to now, as per the latest rumours. He wrote that Dhawan and Dalal were supposed to get married in Thailand right about now but the wedding has been postponed. “Apparently, Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal are planning to get married in May this year.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 11:26 UTC
A conventional relationship doesn't make sense to me: Saba Qamar
The actor doesn't want to end up in a union where she is always "compromising"Actor Saba Qamar recently opened up about her phobia with relationships in an interview with Samina Peerzada. According to Qamar, being on the receiving end of abuse in a previous relationship and memories of her mother enduring the same have shaped her perception of courtship. “A conventional relationship doesn’t make sense to me. Adding on Qamar talked about being afraid of ending up in a position where she is always “compromising”. Earlier on in a video on her YouTube channel, Qamar hinted about the abuse she faced in a previous relationship.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 30, 2020 11:15 UTC
20% salary, pension raise likely for govt employees
Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will announce the budget on June 12 and will also announce an increase of 15 to 20 per cent in the pension of government employees. The salary raise would not apply to members of the federal cabinet, the channel reported. The federal government will present the federal budget for financial year 2020-21 before the National Assembly on June 12. Prime Minister Imran Khan has already granted the necessary approval in this regard. The government will present the federal budget for the financial year 2020-21 during the session.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 10:08 UTC
SIU arrests suspected ISIS terrorist
KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Karachi police, in a joint operation with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) late Friday night, arrested a suspected ISIS terrorist in the provincial metropolis. According to the SIU, during the operation, it recovered advanced weapons and other gadgets from the suspect. Police said that the alleged terrorist, later identified as a Sikandar Khan, also confessed to his association with the outlawed militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) before 2019. The suspect, the SIU said, was arrested before in 2013 and charged with several cases including terrorism. The SIU said that it is conducting raids to arrest Sikandar’s accomplices, adding that it is conducting forensic investigation of the weapons recovered from his possession.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 30, 2020 09:00 UTC