MULTAN: May 24 –
Family enjoy bathing in a local canal during scorching hot weather.
MULTAN: May 24 –
A farmer woman busy cutting spinach for transport to the vegetable market from her field near the bypass.
HYDERABAD: May 24 –
A motorcyclist on the way loaded with frames of a traditional bed (charpai) heading towards his destination.
MULTAN: May 24 –
A young child feeding a flock of pigeons at the roadside, creating a heartwarming scene.
MULTAN: May 24 –
A vendor displaying sacrificial animals to attract the customer at Latifabad area.
HYDERABAD: May 24 –
0A vendor displaying sacrificial animals to attract the customer at Latifabad area.
A view of the dry riverbeds of the Indus River, highlighting the impact of reduced water flow.
HYDERABAD: May 24 –
Due to dense clouds, the day presents a night-like scene in the Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: May 24 –
ISLAMABAD: May 24 –
Due to dense clouds, the day presents a night-like scene in the Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: May 24 – Due to dense clouds, the day presents a night-like scene in the Federal Capital. APP/SAK/FHA
ISLAMABAD: May 24 – A view of rainfall in the Federal Capital, bringing a refreshing change to the weather and creating a pleasant atmosphere. APP/SAK/FHA
ISLAMABAD: May 24 – Vehicles making their way through stagnant rainwater accumulated on the road near Zero Point in the Federal Capital after heavy rainfall. APP/SAK/FHA
ISLAMABAD: May 24 – A view of a fallen tree on road after heavy rainfall at Zero Point in the Federal Capital. APP/SAK/FHA
Field Marshal Asim Munir hosts dinner to honour political leadership, armed forces
RAWALPINDI, May 24 (APP): Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, hosted a dinner to honour the political leadership, steadfast commitment of the Armed Forces, and the indomitable spirit of the people of Pakistan as demonstrated during Marka-e-Haq, Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
According to an ISPR news release, the distinguished gathering was graced by the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister; Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, Federal Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Air & Naval Staff, senior leadership of major political parties, high-ranking government officials and senior officers from the three Services.
Participants paid tribute to the sagacious leadership that steered the nation through a defining moment, hailed the courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, and commended the resolute patriotism of the Pakistani people.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff expressed profound gratitude to the political leadership for their strategic foresight during Marka-e-Haq and lauded the seamless inter-services coordination that ensured operational success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
He further acknowledged the unwavering role of Pakistani youth and media in countering the disinformation campaign waged by India, describing them as a ‘steel wall’ against malign propaganda.
The COAS also commended the outstanding contributions of Pakistani scientists, engineers, and diplomats, whose professionalism and resolve proved critical during the conflict.
The evening stood as a powerful affirmation of national unity and the collective resolve to advance with renewed strength and cohesion.
SCCI demands release of security payments to textbook printers, publishers
PESHAWAR, May 24 (APP):President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fazal Moqeem Khan on Saturday expressed grave concern over withholding payment on head of security of the registered textbook printers and publishers by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board and Federal Board of Revenue for the last one and half decade.
The SCCI chief demanded to release the hefty amount to the registered printers and publishers immediately and warned of protest if further delaying tactics were used in this regard.
Fazal Moqeem Khan made this demand while chairing a meeting of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Standing Committee on Textbook Board the registered Printers and Publishers held here at the chamber house on Saturday.
Members of the committee include president of the Textbook (Regtd) Printers Iqtedar Ali Akundzada, Muhammad Amin, Haji Akhtar and Aqeel Kayani, Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan and others were present in the meeting.
The registered textbook printers and publishers had submitted Rs 30 million on head of security to the KP Textbook Board and Federal Board over a decade ago, but delaying tactics were being used to release the withheld amount by the authorities concerned, the meeting was told.
The meeting informed superior courts of the country made decision in favour of publishers in the case and directed FBR and KP Textbook to release the withheld amount to the affected traders immediately, despite the verdict of the superior judiciary, the justice was yet not delivered to the printers and publishers, as amount is still unreleased by the relevant departments.
The meeting furthermore enlightened the aggrieved textbook printers and publishers lodged a complaint in the Federal Tax Ombudsman in the light of the superior courts verdict.
After hearing from both parties, the Federal Tax Ombudsman had also given verdict in favour to the registered textbook printers and publishers and directed the FBR and KP Textbook to release the withheld amount to publishers immediately, the meeting said.
The meeting said the directives of superior courts and FTO had been severely violated by the authorities concerned and are still using delaying tactics in release of the aforesaid amount.
On the occasion, Fazal Moqeem asked the FBR and KP Textbook Board to release the hefty amount in light of judgements of the superior courts and FTO and provide justice to the aggrieved publishers forthwith.
PAJCCI welcomes amendment in SROs to facilitate Pak-Afghan transit trade
PESHAWAR, May 24 (APP):The Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has welcomed recent amendments to several Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), aimed at easing transit trade and promoting commercial ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Senior Vice President (SVP) PAJCCI, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi lauded the FBR’s decision, expressing hope that the revised regulations will not only enhance bilateral trade but also reduce barriers for the trading community.
Sarhadi explained that one major amendment reinstates the option of using Insurance Guarantee alongside the Bank Guarantee for goods transported under the Afghan Transit Trade agreement.
The earlier decision of October 2023 restricted traders solely to Bank Guarantees and placed a significant financial burden on them. The restoration of choice is a welcome relief for the business community, he said.
Regarding other amendment, Zia said it was about implementation of 10 percent processing fees on few items being imported under Afghan Transit Trade.
The decision has been revised and several items have been exempted from 10 percent processing duty that will also have a positive impact on regional trade, Zia elaborates.
The third SRO pertained to ‘Negative List’ comprising of around 200 items out of which several have been excluded from the list, Zia added.
“These are positive decisions which will prove beneficial for Pak-Afghan trade in the longer run”, Zia commented.
He said the earlier decisions had diverted a lot of Pak-Afghan trade to Iranian ports including Cha Bahar and Bandar Abbbas.
However now, he continued, hopefully the trading community of Afghanistan will come back to sea ports of Pakistan.
SVP PAJCCI also urged for further relaxations in Pak-Afghan trade conditions for promotion of bilateral and regional trade.
He said ban on imports of several items in Afghan transit trade is implemented over a plea that these items come back into our markets and affects local production.
Zia insisted over making border security and vigilance more stricter to plug smuggling instead of imposing ban on import of several items.
Furthermore, he added, hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees have repatriated to their motherland in wake of new policy of Pakistan, ensuing in increase in import of goods for Afghanistan under transit trade facility.
PAJCCI office bearer also criticised imposition of 0.2 percent Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC) by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on export of items to Afghanistan.
He said the IDC has been slashed to 0.1 percent by KP government, but the decision has badly affected Pak-Afghan trade by shifting the business to Baluchistan province, rendering thousands of KP dwellers associated with Pak-Afghan trade as jobless.