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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
FBR to block bank accounts, cut utilities for unregistered businesses
Listen to article In a bid to expand the tax base, the federal government has proposed tough new measures under the Finance Bill, seeking to restrict unregistered businesses from operating bank accounts and to disconnect their electricity and gas connections, Express News reported on Thursday. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday granted conditional approval to the move, directing the inclusion of procedural safeguards. During a meeting of the committee chaired by MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed lawmakers on the proposed amendments. He stated that businesses not registered for sales tax would no longer be allowed to operate bank accounts. Notices would be issued prior to any such action, and accounts would be reactivated within two days of registration. Read More: Govt slaps Rs415b taxes to raise Rs2.2tr Langrial further informed the committee that non-registered Tier-1 retailers would face disconnection of power and gas utilities while revealing that of the 300,000 industrial units operating in Pakistan, only 30,000 to 35,000 were currently registered with the FBR. 'Tax rates are admittedly high, and compliance remains low,' he said. 'Electricity theft alone costs the national exchequer Rs500 to Rs600 billion annually.' Responding to a question on how unregistered businesses would be identified, the FBR chairman said income tax filings and business volume would be used to assess eligibility for sales tax registration. The committee was also told that a significant number of businesses, even among those registered, underreport sales and production. 'One-third of manufacturers are not even registered,' Langrial said. 'Those that are often engage in under-filing.' Committee member Javed Hanif expressed support for the FBR's proposals under Sections 14A(C) and 14A(D) of the Sales Tax Act. However, Chairperson Qamar cautioned that any new law should not be applied in a manner that could unjustly penalise unintended parties. Also Read: Govt to raise tax evasion fines to Rs5m for shopkeepers Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, also present at the meeting, said the government had no plans to offer further tax amnesties or exemptions. 'That era is behind us,' he remarked. 'Our focus is to bring more people into the tax net and to improve thresholds and procedures.' The committee advised the FBR to include clear safeguards before proceeding with temporary account deactivations. The board was also asked to present a revised draft incorporating those protections. Langrial acknowledged that many business models are based on tax evasion and sought permission to temporarily suspend bank accounts rather than permanently freeze them. He suggested that any decision on permanent closures should rest with a designated committee. The proposed crackdown is part of a broader reform package aimed at increasing tax compliance in line with Pakistan's commitments under its programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Congo virus claims three lives in Pakistan
Listen to article Pakistan has recorded three deaths from Congo virus on Thursday, with two fatalities reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and one in Karachi, Express News reported. The latest victim in Sindh was a 25-year-old fisherman from Ibrahim Hyderi, while the K-P toll includes patients from Karak and North Waziristan. According to health officials, Muhammad Zubair, a resident of Malir district, first exhibited symptoms including high fever, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, coughing, diarrhea, bleeding, and loss of consciousness on June 16. He was admitted to Jinnah Hospital, where doctors suspected Congo virus infection. Due to the lack of specialized treatment facilities, he was transferred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital, where he died at 7 am on June 19. Read More: Sindh reports first Congo virus death of 2025 The Sindh Health Department has promptly dispatched an active search and response team to the affected area. Contact tracing efforts have been carried out, with all individuals who had close contact with the deceased identified and monitored. So far, no other cases have been reported. Local residents and the victim's family have been advised to follow strict precautionary measures to prevent further spread. This death follows the province's first reported fatality from the virus earlier this year, when a 42-year-old man from Malir district was admitted to Indus Hospital in Korangi on June 16 and died the next day. In K-P, two Congo virus patients from Karak and North Waziristan districts died at Hayatabad Medical Complex. These fatalities have raised the provincial death toll to three. Also Read: Two Congo virus patient hospitalised at Peshawar's Hayatabad Medical Complex Meanwhile, three additional patients infected with the virus are currently receiving treatment in isolation wards at the hospital. Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali said contact tracing and sanitization operations have been initiated at the homes of the deceased and the infected. He added that an advisory regarding Congo virus had been circulated to all hospitals across Pakistan prior to Eidul Azha, as the increased movement and slaughter of sacrificial animals heighten the risk of transmission. Congo virus is a severe viral disease transmitted primarily through tick bites or contact with the blood and tissues of infected animals, particularly during and immediately after slaughter. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a case fatality rate of 10-40 per cent, with no vaccine currently available. In April, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued an advisory urging preventive measures ahead of Eidul Azha, when the movement of sacrificial animals increases.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Underage hires in Sindh police raise serious legal questions
Listen to article A newly released seniority list of grade-16 police inspectors in Sindh has exposed serious irregularities in the recruitment process, including the appointment of officers below the legal minimum age of 18. The findings have cast fresh doubt on the transparency of hiring within Sindh Police, with some officers reportedly inducted at ages as young as 16. Under Pakistan's 'Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1973', the minimum age for public service is 18. However, according to the list issued by Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, several serving officers were recruited well before meeting this legal age. One officer, Mehboob Ali Mithani, was reportedly hired at 16 years, 10 months, and 11 days old. Another, Babar Ali Sheikh, joined at just 16 years and 3 months. Other names, including Imtiaz Ali Thebo, Zahoor Ahmed Lashari, and Shah Jehan Lashari, also appeared in the list with ages under 17 at the time of hiring. Read: Seniority list of DSPs raises eyebrows Meanwhile, the same department recently declared three applicants ineligible for recruitment solely for exceeding the upper age limit by a few days or months. Among them, Shehzad Khan missed eligibility by five days, Farhan Ali Ahmed by three months and 12 days, and Noor Muhammad by just one month. The inconsistency has triggered criticism over a clear double standard in enforcing age regulations. While some were disqualified for minor overage, others with significant age shortfalls were recruited and later promoted to senior ranks. The list also includes officers who barely met the age threshold, such as Mumtaz Rahoo (18 years, 2 days) and Qamaruzzaman (18 years, 6 days). Observers say that if past recruitments are properly scrutinised, the list of violations would include hundreds rather than dozens of names. Questions have also been raised about the recruitment boards and appointment committees involved in approving such cases. If these irregularities stem from documentation errors, critics say, those responsible must be held accountable. Express News previously reported similar issues in a separate seniority list of 500 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), revealing discrepancies in age, appointment dates, and alleged out-of-turn promotions. Many of these individuals are now in powerful positions, enjoying salaries, government vehicles, and other benefits — despite questionable eligibility at the time of their appointment.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Diplomats recalled from Tehran
Pakistan has recalled some of its diplomats, non-essential staff, and their families from Tehran due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and the changing regional situation. According to a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move was prompted by the ongoing war between Iran and Israel and heightened tensions in the region. However, the official clarified that the Pakistani Embassy and Consulate in Tehran will continue their operations. The official also confirmed that staff members identified as non-essential have been instructed to return to Pakistan along with their families. Arrangements have been made to facilitate their safe return. Earlier, a total of 78 Pakistanis, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan through the Taftan border on Tuesday, raising the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,200. The Pakistani nationals, comprising mostly pilgrims, were stranded in Iran due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. According to Express News, during the last two days, 987 pilgrims and students have been safely brought back.
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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Imran postpones protest movement amid regional tensions
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has decided to postpone the party's planned protest movement for two weeks, citing prevailing regional tensions and the evolving international situation amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The announcement was made by PTI leader Noreen Khanum following her meeting with the incarcerated former prime minister at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, Express News reported. Speaking to reporters outside the prison, she said Khan had taken the decision keeping in view the 'sensitive regional circumstances' and ongoing developments in the Middle East. 'We are awaiting policy statements from the prime minister, president and field marshal before proceeding further,' Khanum stated. She added that although Khan had not met anyone over the past week, he remained aware of global affairs and believed the situation would have direct consequences for Pakistan. 'The PTI founder has called for national unity during this critical time,' she said. Read More: Israel-Iran conflict enters fifth day with ongoing missile strikes Commenting on the federal budget, Khan reportedly described it as one tailored for the elite. 'The burden of taxation is being placed entirely on the salaried class while the poor continue to suffer. Poverty is rising and the economic situation is worsening,' she quoted him as saying. Khanum further said that more than 3.3 million educated individuals had left Pakistan over the past three years, each taking an estimated $30,000 with them — contributing to a significant outflow of foreign exchange. Regarding the KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) budget, she said it would be finalised only after consultations with key party figures. 'Ali Amin Gandapur, Taimur Jhagra, Muzzammil Aslam and Shibli Faraz will meet Khan before the budget is passed,' she added. Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Uzma Khan said Khan had urged the nation to focus on unity and remain steadfast while clarifying that Gandapur had not distanced himself from the protest movement, and that PTI supporters globally would continue to raise their voices. 'Imran Khan has not withdrawn support for the protest — in fact, he laughed at the suggestion,' she said, adding that Khan's position on the situation in Gaza was already well known. Uzma also criticised political leaders for remaining silent during periods of regional conflict. 'Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz did not speak out during the India-Pakistan war. Now, the current rulers — with a mandate of just 17 seats — must clarify their position. That is their responsibility,' she said. 'We are also waiting to hear from the real policymakers,' she added.
