Latest news with #Memon
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
FBR may detain 'tax evaders' sans warrants
Data shared with lawmakers reveals that over the past three years, the number of registered business taxpayers has increased by 5.3 million . PHOTO: EXPRESS The business community condemned the federal government's decision to allow the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to arrest traders and industrialists on suspicion of tax evasion. Office bearers of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry (HCSTSI), in their reaction to the federal and provincial budgets, categorically rejected the insertion of Section 37AA into the Sales Tax Act, on Sunday. They contended that the powers authorised to the FBR are unconstitutional and undemocratic besides being inimical to trade and industry. HCSTSI President, Muhammad Saleem Memon stated "granting FBR officers the power to arrest any trader without a warrant and to detain them for up to 14 days is a gross abuse of authority and a clear violation of human and economic rights." The chamber demanded the government withdraw from this decision, warning that if the authorities remained stubborn, the business community would resort to nationwide protests. With regard to the much delayed Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project, the chamber complained that a paltry sum of Rs15 billion was earmarked for FY 2025-26, for a project requiring around Rs400 billion. Memon argued "at this pace the project may take a decade or more to complete." The business community viewed the allocation as a reflection of the centre's disregard for vital road projects, which would benefit hundreds of millions of people travelling within Sindh, and towards Punjab.
Metro
14-06-2025
- Metro
Air India crash: Families' anger at 'delays' in getting bodies of loved ones
Dozens of anxious family members have been waiting to collect the bodies of loved ones killed in the Air India flight A171. Doctors have been working overtime to collect DNA and dental samples from the 241 victims onboard the plane before releasing their bodies to families, but three days on from the crash, tensions are rising. Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four relatives in the incident, said he was not getting any answers from authorities and was 'hassled'. 'We have lost our children… we are not understanding anything. Please help us get information about our children. Tell us when they are going to release their bodies,' Memon said. Another father was upset about not being able to get the body of his son, Harshad Patel, saying he was told by authorities it would take 72 hours for DNA profiling. 'The authorities are trying to help, but our patience is running out,' he said. Most bodies in the crash were badly charred and authorities are using dental samples to run identification checks. Sort: Newest first Oldest first June 14, 2025 8:46 am Dental records of 135 victims used as medics work to identify bodies Jaishankar Pillai, a forensic dentist, told reporters on Friday they had the dental records of 135 charred victims, which can then be matched through reference to victims' prior dental charts, radiographs or other records. MORE: Billionaire who played polo with Prince William dies 'after swallowing bee during match' MORE: British family killed in Air India crash sent one final selfie to waiting relatives MORE: Passenger on Air India plane before it crashed shares video showing worrying defects
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab, Sindh clash over local governance
Information ministers from Punjab and Sindh clashed on Wednesday, exchanging barbs over the state of local governments and governance styles in their respective provinces, both ruled by coalition partners — the PML-N in Punjab and the PPP in Sindh. The war of words comes amid increasing pressure for local government (LG) elections in Punjab, which have been overdue for months. CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja last week warned that an impending order on the matter could embarrass the provincial government. Sindh Senior Minister and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon questioned the PML-N's reluctance to hold LG elections despite claiming to represent Punjab's mandate. "If the Punjab government fails to recognise local institutions, it is undermining the Constitution," Memon said, adding that managing the province through the commissioner system was regrettable and undemocratic. Memon accused Punjab's government of denying people grassroots representation and vowed that the PPP would continue to push for LG elections in Punjab. "We will not abandon the people of Punjab," he said, denouncing the PML-N's "arrogant attitude" and "politics of rights violations". He stated that the perception of Punjab as "the fiefdom of a single party" must be dispelled. He also lamented the Punjab government's "politics of hatred and division." Memon's statement drew a sharp rebuke from his Punjab counterpart, Azma Bukhari. The Punjab information minister stated that the PML-N had previously established a strong LG system in the province and would do so again. Bukhari mocked the PPP, saying the partywhich secures 400 votes in a provincial assembly constituency and 50 votes in a union council seat contest would soon be put to the test. "The arrogant rulers in Sindh should have mercy on the province's suffering people. They have been in power for three consecutive terms, yet their performance remains zero," the information minister said. Meanwhile, PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Syed Ali Haider Gilani, entered the fray, reminding the PML-N-led provincial government that the PPP is a coalition partner and that without its support, the government could not pass the upcoming budget. "The foundation of this [provincial] government rests on the PPP's support," Gilani said. He praised the PPP's "unparalleled services" in Sindh over the years in infrastructure, health, education, and social protection.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
Two cops among 7 booked after video of booze party surfaces
Surat: Bharuch district police booked seven people, including an NRI and two policemen, after a video emerged showing them at an alleged liquor party. The video shows the policemen dancing to Bollywood songs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Hansot police began a probe and found that the party had been hosted by an NRI from the US in Feb. Sub-inspector N R Parmar of Hansot police filed an FIR which states that they found a video showing Hansot police assistant sub-inspector Hitesh Parmar and driver Thakor Patel dancing at a liquor party. Police found that an Ankleshwar resident named Anis Memon had posted it on Instagram. Memon was questioned and revealed that the video was from a party hosted by Nasir Mirza, a US-based NRI, on Feb 27. Memon said Mirza often gave him catering orders for parties and gatherings whenever he was in Bharuch. On the day the video was shot, Mirza had placed an order with Memon, who delivered it to the home of one Raeesbhai, where the party was held. When Memon entered the room where the accused were sitting, Mirza was serving liquor to ASI Hitesh Parmar, police driver Thakor Patel, Safiq Shaikh, Raeesbhai and drinking himself. When Hitesh Parmar was dancing, Memon recorded a video. The video shows all the revellers with liquor glasses on the table. On June 9, Memon posted the video on Instagram. The FIR alleges that this tarnished the image of Hansot police and all seven have been booked under Sections 66 (1)(b), 75 (a), 75 (c), 81, 83 and 86 of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt allocates budget for EV taxis, scooters in FY26
The Sindh government has decided to allocate a significant budget in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 for the procurement of additional buses and promotion of electric vehicles, including EV taxis and scooters. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Department held in Karachi, chaired by Sindh Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon. The meeting was attended by Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, MD Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kamal Dayo, CEO TransKarachi Fawad Ghaffar Soomro, and other senior officials. A comprehensive review of ongoing and proposed projects, including the Peoples Bus Service and EV scooters initiative, was presented during the meeting. Sindh govt steps up efforts aimed at launching EV taxi service next month Discussions also focused on the development of charging infrastructure for EVs at multiple locations across the province. Minister Memon was briefed on the progress of projects undertaken during FY2024-25 and held in-depth discussions on the proposed initiatives for FY2025-26. The Sindh Mass Transit Authority also informed the minister about potential partnerships under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for launching new bus services. The forum was further informed that the critical segment of the Yellow Line BRT, including the Jam Sadiq Bridge, has been completed and may be inaugurated later this month. Memon instructed concerned authorities to expedite work on the Red Line BRT to ensure its timely completion. Speaking on the occasion, the senior minister said the Sindh government is committed to developing an environmentally sustainable and modern public transport system. 'We are striving to provide affordable and eco-friendly transport options to the public,' he said. He added that more buses are expected to arrive in Karachi soon, and the city will also see the introduction of double-decker buses. 'We've already launched successful initiatives like EV buses and the Peoples Bus Service in Karachi, and we are working to expand this network across the entire province,' he noted. Memon emphasized that the government aims to ensure modern transport services for citizens throughout Sindh. 'Our projects are aimed at streamlining traffic and modernizing the transport system on contemporary lines,' he concluded.
