TANDO ALLAHYAR, Apr 28 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday said the people would massively support the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the upcoming general election on the basis of its government’s performance.
Addressing a gathering here at the residence of PML-N Senator Raheela Magsi, the prime minister said the people could easily compare the performance of PML-N with other political parties. The PML-N performance outdid the adversaries as it had completed mega development projects in infrastructure, port and energy, which had no parallel in the last 65 years, he added.
The government, he said, was going to complete its term which would further strengthen the democratic system.
He said due to the policies of PML-N government in the last five years, the growth rate had reached 6 per cent, which was set to rise further whereas the provinces were also getting their enhanced shares.
The prime minister said different political parties formed the governments in provinces and the people could differentiate among them on the basis of performance. When compared with the Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PML-N stood distinct on the basis of fulfilling its promises, he added.
The PML-N’s politics, he said, were based upon decency and norms as it did not resort to false promises or used foul language against anyone.
The prime minister said the people would decide about the formation of next government with their mandate and they were ready to fully support Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N.
He expressed his confidence that the PML-N would also win the next general elections from the area.
The prime minister also lauded the role of Raheela Magsi and her contributions for the party. He also assured to resolve the issues faced by the people of area.
People fully support PML-N: PM
German envoy to visit SCCI on April 30
SIALKOT, April 28 (APP)::Deputy Ambassador of Germany in Pakistan
Jens Jokisch would visit Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
on April 30, 2018 (Monday).
SCCI Vice President Abid Ahmed Khawaja said that the envoy would discuss in detail matters of mutual interest with Sialkot exporters
during an important meeting scheduled to be held at SCCI here.
Govt presents balanced budget to maintain growth momentum with no eye on election: Miftah
ISLAMABAD, Apr 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail Saturday said the federal budget for the year 2018-19 was balanced and focused on maintaining growth momentum gained during last five years, dispelling the impression that the government eyed on the upcoming election in the fiscal plan.
Addressing the Post Budget Press Conference along with Advisor to the Prime Minister on Revenues Haroon Akhtar Khan, Federal Secretary Finance Arif Khan and Chairman Board of Revenue (FBR) Tariq Pasha, the minister said the budget was growth and relief-oriented.
He said that it was the 6th budget of the incumbent government and efforts were made to provide maximum relief to the people.
The government, he said, had proposed several measures for the uplift of industrial sector. Special incentives were provided to the manufacturing sector for enhancing exports, with imposition of duties to discourage import of luxury goods, he added.
He said all major micro-economic indicators were showing resilience as exports witnessed about 24 percent growth during the last month and inflation reduced to a single digit. The government was determined to curtail the budget deficit, he added.
Miftah Ismail said the government had secured $1 billion financing, which would help raise the level of foreign exchange reserves.
The government, he said, had no intention for getting any bailout package from International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an effective strategy had been put in place that would help improve the national economy.
“We have no intention to go for the bailout package. Efforts are being made to avoid the same,” he remarked.
He expressed the confidence that foreign exchange reserves would further improve in the coming days due to prudent policies introduced by the government.
Advisor Haroon Akhtar while speaking at the press conference, said the government had more than doubled the revenue collection, witnessing 20% annual growth rate and contained inflation at 4.5% during its five-year tenure.
He said the provincial share from the divisible pool had increased from Rs 1300 billion to Rs 2300 billion.
Haroon said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had taken visionary measures to facilitate taxpayers. The selection for audit in respect of all three taxes – Income Tax, Sales Tax and Federal Excise Duty – had been made risk-based and a case would not be audited more than once in three years for each tax, he added. The salaried class, he said, had been exempted from audit.
He said previously grant of stay by the Commissioner (Appeals) was subject to payment of 25% of tax liability, which had now been reduced to 10%.
The advisor said the decision of Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee had been made binding while the powers of commissioners were transferred to the FBR.
Talking about promotion of exports, Haroon said the government took several measures for promotion of export of textile and other products. The measures included reduction in mark-up rates of LTFF and ERF to historic lows of 5 percent and 3 percent respectively, duty free import of textile machinery, uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to the industry, zero-rating of five key export sectors, and introduction of Rs180 billion export package.
He said that the government had also proposed steps in the current budget to protect local industry for reducing dependence on imports. Tax relief was given to dairy and agricultural sector, he said, adding that relaxation in taxes were announced to promote film industry.
He rejected the misconception that the current budget was not a revenue generating one, saying the government had introduced many initiatives for revenue generation.
The advisor said the super tax had been proposed to be continued for the financial year 2018-19, however, its rate might be reduced by 1% for both banking and non-banking companies.
The super tax, he said, was imposed in 2015 for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, which continued in 2016 and 2017. Currently it was being charged at 4% on banking companies and 3% on non-banking companies, generating over Rs 500 million income, he added.
He said the government would impose tax on remittances of more than Rs10 million in case their sources of earning were not justified.
He said the FBR had an agreement with NADRA (National Database Registration Authority) for information sharing which would help expand the tax-base.
Haroon said Miftah Ismail had given a good vision to take forward economy and also appreciated the team of FBR and other relevant departments for their untiring efforts in preparing the budget document.
Replying to a question about the construction of sports stadiums, Miftah Ismail said that it was the project of Planning Commission which had decided in consultation with the ministries concerned the locations for setting up sports facilities in the country. “So, Finance Ministry neither takes any decision nor gives any dictation in this regard.”
To a question regarding petroleum levy, the minister said the PML-N government had presented a realistic budget. Petroleum prices in Pakistan were at the lowest level among oil importing countries, he added.
Adviser Haroon Akhtar, to a query, said to improve the current account deficit, the government had given an export package in its earlier budget plan that greatly helped in ‘triggering’ the exports. “If exports’ growth continued at the same pace we will have no need to go to anyone for financial assistance. There is no need to get panicked.”
Answering a question about increased circular debt, Miftah Ismail said the government had added over 12,000 MW to the national grid during the last five years, which was a record in the country’s history and the increased power generation caused surge in the circular debt.
The minister said the government was making efforts to clear the circular debt judiciously. Rs100 billion would be released to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) soon and the remaining amount would also be cleared at the earliest.
Responding to a question, Haroon Akhtar said due to the measures taken by FBR, the illegal trade of cigarettes in the country had declined to 35 per cent from 40 per cent. The government had introduced third taxation tier for the tobacco industry, which had helped increase tax revenues from the industry.
“The measure has proved to be very positive as it has started showing results now,” he added.
Appreciating the role of FBR in this regard, Miftah Ismail said the Board was doing a fine job in order to curb the illegal trade of tobaco.
Warm welcome of CM in Mardan
LAHORE, Apr 28 (APP):President of PML-N and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the public gathering
in Mardan on Saturday, unleashed bouncers at Imran Niazi and criticised him for not serving the people of KPK during the last five years.
He was warmly welcomed when he reached the venue. Slogans of ‘Long Live Shehbaz Sharif’, ‘Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’ and ‘Dekho Dekho kun aaya, Shair Aaya’ were raised.
He started his speech in Pashto, said a handout issued here.
Workers were overjoyed to see Shehbaz Sharif with them and made selfies.
Former Naib Nazim Mardan announced joining the PML-N on the occasion. Shehbaz Sharif was wearing green shirt.
He said Niazi had criticised Metro in Punjab and now he was making Metro in Peshawar.
The CM said he would make Peshawar metro in five months if got a chance to make the government. The chief minister mentioned huge development projects of Punjab.
He broke into tears when he narrated the story of talented girl Ayeshah who belonged to a poor family and got education from Danish school and now she has become a doctor.
The parents of that girl had died and Danish school looked after her as her patron.
PM sees wider role for private sector in healthcare services
KARACHI, Apr 28 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday urged the private sector to come forward and play its role for provision of quality healthcare services to the poor people of Karachi.
He said the government was making all-out efforts for the provision of facilities in the health sector with innovations, but it was a fact that the private sector could serve well than the public sector. Both sectors should collectively provide healthcare services to the poor segments of society with their combined efforts, he added.
The prime minister was addressing an inauguration ceremony of Charitable Dialysis Center and Shaheed Khalid bin Waleed Auditorium here at Darul Sehat hospital. Sindh Governor Muhmmad Zubair and Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar were also present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Abbasi noted that the economic growth and prosperity of Karachi was linked with the development of the rest of country. No government could ignore Karachi and there was no politics, he added.
After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the subjects were devolved to the provinces, however, the federal government still considered its responsibility to develop the mega city and referred to the Karachi package.
He directed the Sindh governor to pursue the package in consultation with the mayor of Karachi.
The prime minister said the federal government had also resolved the power issue. When it came to public issues, all parties were on one platform and there was no political divide, he added.
He said the government had announced tax incentives for the business class and investors, which were unprecedented in the whole world.
He called upon the investors and private sector in health sector to take maximum benefits from the incentives and serve the humanity.
PIAF welcomes federal budget
LAHORE, Apr 28 (APP):Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has welcomed the federal budget 2018-19 and termed it balanced and beneficial for businesses and trade.
PIAF Chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice Chairman Tanveer Ahmed Sufi and Vice Chairman Shahzeb Akram told APP here Saturday that in the present situation, when dollar price was scaling up and other internal and external challenges are facing the country, the federal government prepared a balanced budget document.
The initiatives announced in the budget would promote business activities and help create more employment opportunities thus ensuring alleviation of poverty to some extent, they opined.
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh mentioned that the federal government took a good step of abolition of duty on imported paper being used for printing of Holy Quran, and it would revitalise the country’s paper industry.
Regarding tax audit for industry/trade, PIAF Chairman also appreciated the government for bounding the tax audit for industry/trade once in three years instead of every year. He was of the view that this would help stabilise the businesses and promote industry as well as bridge the trust deficit between public and private sector.
Irfan Iqbal also demanded the government completely abolish the Section 38-b pertaining to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) so as to create space for the business community to expand their businesses without any fear.
The Front’s SVC Tanveer Ahmed Sufi said though reduction in withholding tax on banking transaction from 0.6 to four per cent was a good sign, complete elimination of this tax would be instrumental in speedy promotion of business and trade activities.
Sufi was of the view that amnesty scheme would prove to be beneficial for the economy and encourage the people to get themselves registered with tax collection authorities. He urged the business doing people to get optimum benefit of this opportunity and become filer that would be in the best interest of the businesses/industry.
While, Vice Chairman Shahzeb Akram said that there was not much relief for the industry especially the textile sector and the filers in the budget document.
He added that budget document did not give any solution to the business community for their tax refund issues, which must have to be resolved on priority basis.
President stresses for finding out solution to worldly issues thru research
KARACHI, Apr 28 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday stressed upon the thinkers and researchers to promote harmony and unity in the society through their academic pursuits and by finding out solutions to the complex worldly issues.
The president was addressing a special ceremony after laying the foundation stone of “Seerat Chair” at the University of Karachi.
He noted that in the present times, human beings had excelled in different fields of life, including science, technology, finance and sociology but the mundane excellence had put them in confrontation with the principles of nature. The misconception in research and knowledge could give rise to problems faced by humanity.
Such challenges, he said, cropped up various complexities. The scenes of war and carnage in different parts of the globe continued which indicated results of unbridled thoughts, he added.
President Mamnoon said certain quarters in the society had also adopted such approach which caused disunity but those behaviours were not allowed in the light of the teachings of Holy Quran or Sunnah. The life of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was a beacon of light and guidance for the whole humanity, he added.
He said the objective of establishment of Seerat Chairs in the universities was to promote a culture of research and analysis so that the solution to the issues emanating from the worldly changes could be sorted out.
He expressed the hope that the Karachi University would work on the same lines.
Vice Chancellor Dr Ajmal Khan and Dean Faculty of Arts Dr Muhammad Ahmed Qadri also addressed the occasion.
Pak DGMO takes up issue of continuing surge in CFVs with Indian counterpart
RAWALPINDI, April 28 (APP):Hotline contact was established between Pakistani and Indian Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) on April 27, a statement issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations Saturday said.
The DGMO Pakistan Army took up the issue of continuing surge in Ceasefire Violations (CFVs) by Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB). He also highlighted deliberate targeting of innocent civilians residing along the LoC and WB by Indian forces on false pretext of reaction against alleged cross LoC/WB infiltration.
So far, during the current year, 219 innocent civilians including 112 women and children have become casualty (Shaheed/injured) due to Indian targeted CFVs.
The DGMO Pakistan said such unprofessional and unethical acts were provocative, detrimental to the peace, vitiate the situation along LoC and also contribute towards further escalation. He further said instead of blame game Indian Security Forces need to look inwards.
The DGMO Pakistan emphasised that durable peace along LoC and WB was contingent upon practical manifestation.
SAARC Chamber’s VP terms budget balanced, business-friendly
LAHORE, Apr 28 (APP):SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC-CCI) Vice President and United Business Group (UBG) Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik here on Saturday said that the federal government, in the given circumstances, has presented an overall business-friendly and balanced budget for the financial year 2018-19.
Talking to APP, he said that the federal government had in its last budget took commendable iniatives like removal of Regulatory Duty on important raw materials, increase in development budget, limit enhancement for income tax exemption, allocations for agriculture and livestock sectors.
In the current national and international predicament, he viewed, the government had made the budget document encouraging that would help boost business activities so as to increase employments and revenues in the country. “Despite continuous surge in dollar price against rupee, still the budget is growth-oriented with good fiscal management paving way for economic stability of the country in the long run,” he observed.
Malik also hailed federal government for ensuring allocating maximum funds for water and power projects as well as infrastructural development, asserting that refunds, agriculture support fund and composite audit were welcoming steps.
President announces setting up TV studio in Karachi University
KARACHI, Apr 28 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday announced setting up a TV studio in the Department of Mass Communication, Karachi University.
During a foundation laying ceremony of Seerat Chair, the president said the department did not have the facility of a TV studio and announced that Aiwan-e-Sadr would provide financial assistance to the university for the purpose, so that the students could get the latest educational and training facilities with the establishment of a TV studio.
He president urged the teachers and students to work hard in their respective disciplines so that high standards of journalism could be further strengthened which gained much significance in the present times, said a press release.
President Department of Mass Communication Dr Seemi Naghmana Tahir expressed her gratitude for the announcement of setting up a TV studio. It was their long standing demand and after its establishment, it would serve as quality training place for electronic media, she said.