Category: Government Policy

A top-level meeting between senior military officials and civil bureaucracy was held on Thursday to review reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and national strategy to deal with the menace of under-invoicing.

Official sources told ProPakistani that the meeting was attended by caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, FBR Chairman Amjad Zubair Tiwana and Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed, Secretary Ministry of Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal and some other senior government officials.

Top government officials visited the army house in Rawalpindi to have a meeting with the senior military officials, the sources added.

The meeting reviewed major tax reforms and restructuring of the FBR besides measures to tackle the menace of under-invoicing.

The FBR officials informed that there is a discrepancy worth $7.51 billion in imports and exports statistics with four major trading partners. It was reported that Pakistani traders have allegedly been found involved in the under-invoicing of imported goods of over $7.51 billion to four major trading partners namely: China, Singapore, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

There is a gap of $3-4 billion in trade volume with China and the FBR is working to acquire real-time data from China. The official said that similar trade gaps exist in other countries as well.

The Customs Department including the Customs Intelligence Department has already launched a massive crackdown against warehouses storing smuggled goods, secret illegal storages, and pumping stores of petroleum products.

The government has decided to provide support to law enforcement agencies, specifically the Customs Intelligence Department, for taking action against smugglers.

The action would not focus on small tankers/vehicles carrying petroleum products, but information-based raids on warehouses and secret illegal storages and pumping stores of petroleum products.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over a special meeting in Lahore regarding establishment of ‘One Window Operation’ and “One Roof, One Stop” solution for the investors.

The meeting was informed that Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company, Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company and Punjab Small Industries Corporation will provide services under ‘One Window Operation’ Centre.

The officials at One Window Centre will complete entire process for applicants.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Federal Minister for Railways Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki inaugurated Sibi to Harnai railway train service after 18 years from District Sibi this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said restoration of train service will provide better transport facilities to people besides creating job opportunities.

He said that the government is taking every possible step to facilitate people of the province.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited General Hospital and Mayo Hospital in Lahore today and inspected up-gradation projects.

He directed to accelerate pace of work on the projects and asked for work in three shifts.

Mohsin Naqvi expressed displeasure over necessary tests from outside hospitals and directed to refund the money to concerned patients.

He said that state-of-the-art emergency blocks, each consisting of 250 beds, are being constructed in both hospitals.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

In a tweet today, the Prime Minister said Li Keqiang was a great friend of Pakistan.

Recalling his visit to Pakistan in 2013, the Prime Minister said our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Late Premier Li and with the Chinese nation at this hour of grief.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment for protection and promotion of human rights at home and abroad.

He expressed the commitment while talking to the US Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain, who called on him in Islamabad on Monday.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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President Dr. Arif Alvi has stressed the need to financially empower women.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, he said financially empowered women can play better role for development of the country.

Condemning Israeli brutalities in Gaza, the President said Israel is increasing attacks in Gaza.

He said women and children are the worst victims of wars.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has expressed the confidence that Chinese private entities will make investments in second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project, with a focus on relocating industries and fostering cooperation in the agricultural and mining sectors.

Addressing a news conference regarding his recent visit to China, in Islamabad, he said the Chinese investment will give impetus to our economic growth.

Describing his talks with the Chinese leadership as highly fruitful and constructive, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and China have ironclad friendship and all weather strategic partnership.

He said there is a desire on both sides to further enhance their engagement and deepen this relationship.

He said we have returned home from China with three slogans of consultation, cooperation and coordination and our focus will remain on it to further expand the bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister pointed out that twenty agreements were signed during his visit to Beijing. He said it is after a long time that such a big number of MOUs were signed. He said a mechanism has also been worked out to ensure implementation of these agreements as well as the signed previously.

Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said there is also a great potential of cooperation between the media of two countries.

Responding to a question about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister said Pakistan desires better connectivity in the changing geo-strategic environment and it was in this connection that the meeting was held.

He said foreign relations between countries continue to change, there are times that the relations get frailed, but then the countries do have to cooperate in changing circumstances.

To a question whether agreements with China will be continued by the next elected government, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said it is the state not individuals or politicians who sign them, therefore governments should implement the agreements for credibility in the international sphere.

He said continuity of policies is inevitable for continuity of development process.

Replying to another question about repatriation of illegal nationals including Afghans, the Prime Minister said we only want to regulate the movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan so that only individuals with valid documents can move between the two countries.

About Palestine, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said Pakistan has already disbursed aid through Rafah corridor via Egypt and we have understanding with Egypt in this regard.

He said on cessation of hostilities, Pakistan is working in collaboration with all stakeholders and regional and international players.

To a question about Arshad Sharif murder case, the Prime Minister said he talked to Kenyan President about this and he has expressed sound commitment that the Kenyan government will try its best to find the culprits and address the weaknesses on their part.

The Prime Minister said the investigation and its follow up is one of the top priorities of our foreign office and it is pursuing it diligently.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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