ISLAMABAD: February 21 –
Senator Taj Haider, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament Lodges
ISLAMABAD: February 21 –
Vendor busy in making traditional mehndi thaal used in wedding events at Fawara Chowk
PESHAWAR: February 21 –
Karachi Kings player James Vince playing shot during the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9) Twenty20 cricket match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium
LAHORE: February 21 –
LAHORE: February 21 – Peshawar players celebrated the wicket of Muhammad Akhlaq catch by Mohammad Haris ball by Luke Wood during the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9) Twenty20 cricket match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. APP/MTF/MAF/FHA
South Punjab Secretariat aims to pace development
BAHAWALPUR, Feb 21 (APP):Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar on Wednesday said that the South Punjab Secretariat is addressing the gaps of development by enhancing infrastructure in health, education, and other sectors.
Addressed officers undergoing the 39th Mid-Career Management Course at the National Institute of Management in Islamabad during their visit to the South Punjab Secretariat, he said that major projects in education and health have been completed in all major cities of South Punjab. He said that proposals for 58 major projects in the new budget have been submitted to the government, with an estimated cost of Rs 132 billion.
Zafar emphasized that eliminating poverty and backwardness from the region is the top priority of the South Punjab Secretariat along with focusing on providing necessities, increasing literacy rates, and promoting agriculture.
He highlighted the importance of agriculture in the country’s prosperity, mentioning the revival of cotton cultivation in South Punjab which is known as the Cotton Belt. He said that a project proposal of investing Rs 5 billion for the revival and increased production of cotton is part of the plan.
He mentioned the plans to connect all major cities of South Punjab through CPEC and motorways, including the construction of the Khanewal-Jhang Interchange on the Karachi-Lahore Motorway with an estimated cost of Rs13 billion.
The Additional Chief Secretary revealed that action plans have been prepared for the construction of flyovers and underpasses in major cities of South Punjab to improve the traffic system. A plan to construct protective dykes to prevent damage from floods.
He mentioned that a mega plan has been devised for environmental conservation in Lal Sohanra Park for Rs 3.732 billion. Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar stated that the establishment of Transgender Schools and Morning Schools in the South Punjab are unique initiatives, with a project now underway to construct their buildings at the divisional and district levels.
To increase meat production, a meat zone is being established in Cholistan with an estimated cost of Rs 1.793 billion, he said adding that a separate agricultural directorate will be set up in Cholistan.
He highlighted that the Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is a popular event that needs to be expanded internationally.
The Chief Instructor presented a memorable shield to the Additional Chief Secretary of South Punjab in addition to a souvenir by the National Institute of Management.
FBR working on extension of EFS to whole textile value chain: chief collector
LAHORE, Feb 21 (APP):Punjab’s Chief Collector Customs (Appraisement) Muhammad Sadiq has said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is working on extension of Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) to the whole textile value chain. Talking to members of APTMA [All Pakistan Textile Mills Association] during an interactive session on exports and other Customs related issues here on Wednesday, he said that a committee of stakeholders had already been constituted in this regard. Ms. Azmat Tahira, Collector Customs (Appraisement-East) Lahore, Ms. Nazia Saleem, Additional Collector Customs, and Ms. Irum Sohail, Additional Collector Customs also accompanied the Chief Collector, while APTMA (North) Chairman Kamran Arshad, senior members Anjum Zafar, Faisal Pervez and APTMA Secretary General Raza Baqir were also present. The Chief Collector Customs assured APTMA of removing all irritants in the EFS and other customs procedures, formalities to facilitate exporters by helping them in focusing on how to boost exports.Talking high of the importance of exports in general and textile industry in particular, he said no stone would be left unturned in facilitating textile industry for promotion of exports. He assured of resolving all systems related issues with removal of irritants in the scheme. According to him, most of the demands raised by the APTMA are genuine, which need to be addressed to facilitate exports of the country. “There is a need to moderate Valuation Rulings,” he said and assured of looking into it on priority. In his welcome address, Kamran Arshad pointed out that unconsumed raw materials imported under the previous schemes are still not reflected in the EFS system, which are needed to be loaded immediately. He added that audits are pending for a long period, delaying release of PDCs/Guarantees as well as costing financially to exporters and getting new quotas. According to him, a large number of CRF have since long been pending, which is hindering smooth functioning of the EFS. He said that deduction of taxes and duties is still being reflected at statutory rate instead of effective rates despites specific rulings by FBR, which needs to be corrected. He proposed that both IORs and Analysis certificates should be issued automatically by the Collectorates on the basis of ratios determined in Textile Notes. He pointed out that the consignments of indirect exporters being cleared manually in the past should be uploaded in the system to avoid any audit / reconciliation issues. Despite fully automated EFS procedures, he said, a parallel duplicate manual system is being run causing delays and adding to costs. Manual submission of documents should be stopped immediately, he stressed. The chairman said that valuation rulings are being unlawfully applied on EFS and exports, which are creating delays and required to be done away with.He said the EFS facility is granted for 3 to 5 years, while the PSW ID expires every two years. It is a need of the hour to align the expiration of the PSW ID with the corresponding period of EFS. He said, the WEBOC module does not entail any option of sale/purchase return of local invoices, which should be corrected.
LESCO recovers over Rs 2.51b from 83,872 defaulters in 157 days
LAHORE, Feb 21 (APP):The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), in collaboration with Tehsildars (Recovery), has recovered more than Rs 2.51 billion from 83,872 dead defaulters in all the five districts – Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara – during 157 days of its recovery campaign.
A LESCO spokesman told the media here on Wednesday that during the campaign, Chief Engineer O&M (T&G) Zafar Iqbal, with the support of Tehsildar City Mujahid Zia and Tehsildar Shalimar Noreez Humayun, recovered outstanding dues of Rs 361.10 million from 11,867 defaulters in Northern Circle and Rs 598.76 million from 10,713 defaulters in Eastern Circle respectively. Similarly, LESCO Manager (Material Disposal) Engineer Anwar Watto along with Tehsildar Model Town Rana Arsal and Tehsildar Cant. Sajjad Qureshi recovered Rs 336.33 million from 9,500 defaulters in Central Circle and Rs 141.14 million from 4,925 defaulters in South Circle, while Manager (Technical) Engineer Muhammad Farooq with the assistance of Tehsildar Nankana Sahib Muhammad Iqbal Rasheed and Tehsildar Sheikhupura Muhammad Aslam Gujjar recovered Rs 206.56 million from 7,357 defaulters in Nankana Circle and Rs 366.31 million from 10,218 defaulters in Sheikhupura Circle. He added that LESCO Manager E&S (PMU) Engineer Abbas Ali in collaboration with Naib Tehsildar Kasur and Okara Mirza Zahid Baig recovered outstanding dues of Rs 158.74 million from 13,409 defaulters in Okara Circle and Rs 347.21 million from 15,883 defaulters in Kasur Circle.
On the 157th day of the recovery campaign, the LESCO with the help of Tehsildars (Recovery) have recovered more than Rs 11.61 million from 478 dead defaulters in its all circles of operation. He elaborated that LESCO recovered outstanding dues of Rs 2.62 million from 91 defaulters in Northern Circle; Rs 2.36 million from 46 defaulters in Eastern Circle; Rs 1.09 million from 39 defaulters in Central Circle; Rs 0.80 million from 30 defaulters in South Circle; Rs 0.61 million from 38 defaulters in Nankana Circle; Rs 1.18 million from 65 defaulters in Sheikhupura Circle; Rs 0.59 million from 78 defaulters in Okara Circle and Rs 2.36 million from 91 defaulters in Kasur Circle.
For the recovery campaign started on September 13, the Lahore Division’s Commissioner had assigned additional charge of Tehsildars Recovery (from LESCO defaulters) to relevant Tehsildars, while LESCO Chief Executive Officer Engineer Shahid Haidar has also designated four senior officers to assist them in the dues recovery from defaulters. LESCO Chief Executive Officer Engineer Shahid Haider said that the company is facing loss due to dead defaulters, and vowed to continue action against them.
Administrator MCI assures to address issues of business community
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Administrator, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Rana Waqas Anwar on Wednesday said that MCI wanted to move forward with the consensus of the business community to address their issues and facilitate them in business promotion
The administrator along with his team visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and interacted with the business community to learn about their issues.
He said that he would visit markets to see the situation of encroachments and take measures to remove them in coordination with ICCI and concerned market associations.
He said that MCI was making a uniform policy to remove all billboards in Islamabad as they were affecting the beauty of the city.
He said that vending zones were being considered for shifting pushcarts from markets.
He said that law-abiding citizens would get some rebate in property tax.
He said that board tax and trade license fees should be paid to only one entity from MCI or UC.
He said that open spaces would be allotted only to the shopkeepers.
He said that no brand would be damaged and only violations would be removed from markets.
He said that if anyone gives notice to traders using the name of the Punjab Government, he should be handed to the police for appropriate action.
Speaking on the occasion, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari briefed the MCI delegation about the key issues of the business community.
He said that encroachments should be removed in consultation with ICCI and concerned market associations.
He urged for issuing the notification of mutually agreed board tax and trade license.
He urged for developing and maintaining all the markets of Islamabad on modern lines to promote trade and business activities.
Senior Vice President ICCI, Faad Waheed said that the business community was the major stakeholder in the development of Islamabad and urged MCI to take ICCI on board before making major policy decisions.
PDMA releases funds for North Waziristan displaced persons
PESHAWAR, Feb 21 (APP):The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has released Rs350 million for affected people of North Waziristan.
Verified and registered families will receive SMS notifications, facilitating the disbursement of financial assistance within the next two to three days, said spokesman of PDMA on Wednesday.
The recently disbursed 113th installment, for a total of around 17,200 families, will receive cash assistance at the rate of 20,000 rupees per family.
Sobia Hassam Toru, Director Emergencies at PDMA Complex, highlighted that residents in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan will receive Rs12,000 in cash assistance and an additional 8,000 rupees as ration allowances to alleviate their financial challenges.
Sobia Hassam said that Rs250 million will be released in the coming month to further support the affected population.
Currently, there are over 17,200 registered families in North Waziristan, including 11,000 families who returned from Afghanistan last year, she added.