KARACHI, May 04 (APP): Italian Ambassador Marilina Armellin and Italian Consul General Danilo along with the delegation called on Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives Sindh Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah here Saturday. They also visited the ancient Chowkundi graveyard.
Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah during the visit, briefed the Italian delegation about the ancient and historical status of Chowkundi Cemetery, a communique said.
He said that by securing the cultural heritage of Sindh, they are providing a favorable environment to the tourists due to which large number of foreign tourists are visiting the historical, cultural and tourist centers of the province.
The Italian Ambassador Marilena Armilan said that she was glad to visit the ancient cemetery of Chowkundi and learnt about its history.
Later, the provincial ministers presented replicas of Sindhi traditional Ajrak and Mohan Jo Daro artefacts as gifts to the guests.
On the occasion, Secretary Culture and Tourism Sindh Khalid Chachad, MD Tourism Fayaz Shah, DG Antiquities Abdul Fattah Sheikh and other officers were also present.
Italian envoy calls on Sindh culture, tourism minister
Govt has potential to raise revenues worth over Rs 24 trillion annually: PM
LAHORE, May 4 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the country had the potential to collect revenues of over Rs 24 trillion against the annual tax target of Rs 9.4 trillion.
He said that an amount of around three-time of the annual revenue target was ‘going down the drain’ due to corruption, inefficiency and negligence. This huge amount, he said could be utilized to pay debts, construct hospitals, schools, universities and roads in the country.
Addressing a ceremony to award shields to the honest, hardworking and efficient officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) here, the prime minister said that time had come to separate white from the black and to take decisions of reward and punishment purely on merit as no nation could develop without strictly following the discipline criteria for the government officials.
The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan was facing multiple challenges including low tax to GDP ratio and external and internal debts that were increasing every passing day.
As regards the amount worth Rs 2.7 trillions held up across various appellate forums, including commissioners’ appeals, Appellant Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) and various courts, he said now the law had been made to recover such amounts.
He said that under the new law, the ATIR members, equivalent to the high court judges would be appointed through an open competition and their tests and interviews would be conducted through reputable institutions such as LUMS, IBA etc.
He said that those members would also get high perks and privileges equivalent to the senior judges.
Pointing to another Rs 756 billion sales tax scam recently uncovered by the FBR, the prime minister said that he had directed the authorities concerned to make every possible to recover such looted money.
Earlier, the prime minister gave away the shields to the honest and hard working officers of the FBR and said that he was feeling proud that the country had plenty of such honest officers which could play their due role in development and prosperity of the country.
He said all the politicians, bureaucrats and heads of the organizations should work together for the development of the country.
He said that the only aim of this ceremony was to encourage the country’s heroes, who worked hard with honesty to meet the targets of the taxes.
“This factor would multiply in future and the officers would be fully acknowledged only on the basis of their honesty, efficiency, hard work and sincerity toward the nation,” he added.
As regards, the track and trace system, the prime minister emphasized that it was one of the major fraud in the country’s history.
The prime minister said that he always tried to be fair in the governance and reiterated his commitment to put the country on the path of prosperity and development. “We, with our constant and unwavering determination, will leave India far behind.”
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that revenue collection played vital role in socio-economic development, adding that it was major source to run the government business.
He said that policies were formed for broadening tax base in the country, adding that now it was time to execute these polices with full efficiency, transparency and honesty to turnaround the national economy on fast track of economic development and growth.
The minister, while stressing the need for strengthening tax collection and promoting tax culture, said that there were about 3 million commercial and industrial electricity and gas connections and only 200,000 of them were paying their Sales Tax.
Chairman FBR Amjad Zubair Tiwana thanked the prime minister for acknowledging the hard work of his officers.
He said that the prime minister was taking keen interest in boosting the tax revenues and had held several meetings in this regard.
Wapda continues winning streak in PTF Tennis Trophy
ISLAMABAD, May 04 (APP): Wapda continued it’s winning streak in the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024 here at PTF Tennis Complex on Saturday.
On the 2nd day, Wapda continued their winning streak against SNGPL, whereas Pakistan Air Force earned victory against Pakistan Army, and gained valuable winning points in their bucket.
Once again Muhammad Abid (WAPDA) easily breezed out his opponent Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) in one-sided affairs 6-1 6-1, whereas in the second single Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) surprised his opponent Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) to win the match 6-2 6-3. In the first set, Aqeel Khan comfortably built up a winning lead by breaking the 6th game of Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) and by holding the 7th game at 5-2.
In the 8th game, Aqeel did not allow his opponent to settle down and broke this game and won the first set at 6-2. In the second set, Ahmed Babar tried his best to catch the pace of Aqeel Khan but failed when Aqeel broke the 8th game of Ahmed Babar at 0-40 and hit a double fault to build the lead 5-3. In the 9th game, Aqeel Khan played excellent tennis by hitting the cross court and down-the-line shorts and finished the set by hitting an Ace at 40-30.
In an important and crucial round-robin league match, Pakistan Air Force struggled hard to win against Pakistan Army 2-1. Yousaf Khalil (PAF) turned difficult to win his encounter against the talented Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) in a straight set 6-4 6-2.
In an exciting and thrilling second single between Muhammad Shoaib (PAF) and Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) exhibited high-calibre and remarkable tennis and excellent forehand and backhand drives. In the first set, Muhammad Shoaib played an aggressive game and did not allow Muzammil to settle down beginning from the match breaking the 1st, 3rd, and 7th games and finishing the set at 6-2. In the second set both players changed their game plan and held their own games till the score went 6-6 games all.
In the 10th see-saw game, Muzammil had a chance to break the game but Shoaib not only saved the game but played an excellent game of tennis from the baseline. The match went in a tie-break in which Muzammil again took a lead of 5-3 but Shaoib again bounced back aggressively and not only levelled the score 6-6 all but kept the same pressure on Muzammil’s shoulder, at this stage Muzammil hit a double fault and unable to come back.
In the next point, Shoaib hit a wide serve to Muzammil which returned and landed outside the court and Shoaib won the set and match at 7-6(7). The match lasted 1 hour 35 minutes and was officiated by ITF White Badge Umpire Hussnain Mehmood.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi President PTF in his message cherished the participating teams and wished them a successful competitive tennis extravaganza. He appreciated the organization and administrative arrangements of the healthy activity for the development of tennis in the country.
Results: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat Pakistan Army (2-1), Singles-1: Yousaf Khalil (PAF) beat Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) 6-4 6-2.
Singles-2: Muhammad Shoaib (PAF) beat Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY).
Doubles: Muzammil Murtaza, Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) beat Muhammad Shaoib, Yousaf Khalil (PAF) 6-3 3-6 10-5.
WAPDA beat SNGPL (3-0), Singles-1: Muhammad Abid (WAPDA) beat Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) 6-1 6-1.
Singles-2: Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) beat Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) 6-2 6-3.
Doubles: Heera Ashiq, Shahzad Khan (WAPDA) beat Saqib Hayat, Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) 6-1 7-5.
Sunday’s match schedule: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Vs SNGPL; Pakistan Army Vs Pakistan Navy.
Provincial health minister visits DHQ Karak, inspect provision of facilities
PESHAWAR, May 04 (APP): Provincial Health Minister, Syed Qasim Ali Shah on Saturday visited District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Karak and inspected provision of facilities to patients.
He was accompanied by local elders and concerned officials of health department. He also checked data of health facilities being provided to patients under Sehat Card and directed to further improve service delivery system.
Health minister said that government is working to digitize all the record of health system for facilitation of people and said that performance of staff, availability of medicines and functioning of machineries could be monitored properly after the implementation of Health Information and Service Delivery.
Later, he attended health summit of Insaf Doctors Forum and announced commitment of provincial government to improve health facilities in southern districts. He also urged doctors to support government in health reforms following vision of party leadership.
He also announced functioning of cath lab and doctors hostel in Bannu Hospital and said that efforts would be made to resolve all the issues of doctors.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm resolve to further enhance economic ties
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the 15th OIC Islamic Summit Conference, in Banjul, The Gambia.
Noting the importance of the long-standing strategic and economic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Saudi Foreign Minister reaffirmed the resolve to further enhance economic cooperation and Saudi investments in Pakistan.
The Deputy Prime Minister lauded the “Vision 2030”, which aimed at socio-economic transformation of the Kingdom in the 21st century.
He stated that the recently held visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan, who was leading a high-powered delegation, represented a new momentum in economic collaboration between Pakistan and the Kingdom, according to a press release issued here.
Deputy PM Dar and the Saudi Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the recent developments in the Middle East and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
They also noted the important role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on issues concerning the Muslim Ummah including the situations in Palestine and Kashmir.
Govt has potential to raise revenues worth over Rs 24 trillion annually: PM
LAHORE, May 4 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the country had the potential to collect revenues of over Rs 24 trillion against the annual tax target of Rs 9.4 trillion.
He said an amount of around three-time of the annual revenue target was ‘going down the drain’ due to corruption, inefficiency and negligence.
This huge amount, he said could be utilized to pay debts, construct hospitals, schools, universities, and roads in the country.
Addressing a ceremony to award shields to the honest, hardworking and efficient officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) here, the prime minister said that time had come to separate white from the black, and to take decisions of reward and punishment purely on merit as no nation could develop without strictly following the discipline criteria for the government officials.
The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan was facing multiple challenges including low tax to GDP ratio and external and internal debts that were increasing every passing day.
As regards the amount worth Rs 2.7 trillions held up across various appellate forums, including commissioners’ appeals, Appellant Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) and various courts, he said now the law had been made to recover such amounts.
He said under the new law, the ATIR members, equivalent to the high court judges would be appointed through an open competition and their tests and interviews would be conducted through reputable institutions such as LUMS, IBA etc.
He said those members would also get high perks and privileges equivalent to the senior judges.
Pointing to another Rs 756 billion sales tax scam recently uncovered by the FBR, the prime minister said he had directed the authorities concerned to make every possible to recover such looted money.
Earlier, the prime minister gave away the shields to the honest and hard working officers of the FBR and said that he was feeling proud that the country had plenty of such honest officers which could play their due role in development and prosperity of the country.
He said all the politicians, bureaucrats, and heads of the organizations should together work for the development of the country.
He said the only aim of this ceremony was to encourage the country’s heroes, who worked hard with honesty to meet the targets of the taxes.
“This factor would multiply in future and the officers would be fully acknowledged only on the basis of their honesty, efficiency, hard work and sincerity toward the nation,” he added.
As regards, the track and trace system, the prime minister emphasized that it was one of the major fraud in the country’s history.
The prime minister said he always tried to be fair in the governance and reiterated his commitment to put the country on the path of prosperity and development. “We, with our constant and unwavering determination will leave India far behind.”
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that revenue collection plays vital role in socio-economic development, adding that it is major source to run the government business.
He said that policies were formed for broadening tax base in the country, adding that now it was time to execute these polices with full efficiency, transparency and honesty to turnaround the national economy on fast track of economic development and growth.
The minister stressing the need for strengthening tax collection and promoting tax culture, said that there were about 3 million commercial and industrial electricity and gas connections and only 200,000 of them were paying their Sales Tax.
Chairman FBR Amjad Zubair Tiwana thanked the prime minister for acknowledging the hard work of his officers.
He said the prime minister was taking keen interest in boosting the tax revenues and had held several meetings in this regard.
61st death anniversary of Shaukat Thanvi being observed today
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP): The 61st death anniversary of renowned play writer and poet Shaukat Thanvi is being observed on Saturday.
Shaukat Thanvi was born in 1904 in Thana Bhawan (Uttar Pradesh), India, but migrated to Pakistan after the partition.
After working for ten years at Pakistan Radio, he moved to Karachi where he joined the Editorial Board of the newspaper, Jang, of which he also became the Editor.
He also wrote for several other literary journals such as Sar Panch, Hamdam, Lucknow, Millat, etc.
He was primarily a humorist as is indicated by the titles of his famous literary works: Mauj-e-Tabassum, Bahr-e-Tabassum, Sail-e-Tabassum, and Toofaan-e-Tabassum.
Shaukat Thanvi died in Lahore on 4 May 1963.
Federal Minister for Defense, Khawaja Muhammad Asif is addressing to media persons
SIALKOT: May 04 –
Federal Minister for Power and Petroleum, Dr Musadiq Malik talks to media personnel at PTV office.
LAHORE: May 04 –