Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

  • Zong becomes first operator to conduct successful 5G trial

    Zong becomes first operator to conduct successful 5G trial

    ISLAMABAD: Zong CMPAK has become the 1st Pakistani telecom operator to have successfully conducted the 5G trial, said a statement issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday.

    The PTA said that this year it unveiled its roadmap for facilitating public testing of 5G technology and related services in Pakistan in line with the policy of the government.

    Zong CMPAK has become the 1st Pakistani telecom operator to have successfully conducted the 5G trial.

    This is a proud moment for Pakistan and testament to the accelerating technological innovation within the country.

    Wireless technology developments, like 5G are expected to deliver increased flexibility, reliability and capacity to help meet requirements of a Digital Pakistan.

    This trial is the first one being conducted and there will be more on the different scenarios of 5G in the near future. PTA, as a regulator of ICT sector, is committed to supporting technology and innovation in Pakistan.

  • NAB not to process sales tax, income tax cases of business community

    NAB not to process sales tax, income tax cases of business community

    KARACHI: Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has said that the bureau will not process cases of income tax and sales tax of business community.

    He was talking with Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at a meeting, said a statement issued by FPCCI on Friday.

    A delegation of FPCCI under the leadership of President FPCCI Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai met Chairman NAB, Justice Javed Iqbal at NAB Head Quarter Islamabad.

    During the meeting Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai expressed his views that entire business community of Pakistan appreciates the role of NAB and the measures taken by it for transparency and curb the corruption of the country.

    He said that business community is the backbone of the country contributing in economic development. NAB is business friendly institution that considers business community as its priority and addressing the issues.

    Chairman NAB said that NAB would not process the cases of income tax and sales tax of business community and has ordered to return back all previous cases of business community to FBR as per law. He informed that he has ordered withdraw all notices served by NAB Multan on owners of flour mills of Multan, Bahawalpur and D.G Khan division. He said that he himself would review the notices of flour mills.

    President FPCCI Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai appreciated the personal efforts of Chairman NAB for looking into the of issues of entire business community. He thanked the Chairman NAB for the establishment of Special Cell for entire business community in NAB Secretariat.

    Chairman NAB Justice Javed Iqbal also acceded to the request of President FPCCI for visiting the Federation House.

  • Rupee appreciates by 82 paisas in interbank market

    Rupee appreciates by 82 paisas in interbank market

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee appreciated by 82 paisas against dollar on Friday owing to improved economic indicators.

    The rupee ended Rs157.42 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs158.24 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The rupee made significant gain earlier in the day and gained Re1 in its value owing to better economic indicators.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range of Rs157.45 and Rs157.55. The market recorded day high of Rs157.90 and low of Rs157.24 and closed at Rs157.42.

    Currency experts said that positive economic indicators and sharp recovery in the stock exchange boosted the confidence of the investors.

    Besides, contraction in current account deficit also helped the rupee to recover against the greenback.

    The rupee witnessed sharp decline against the dollar in the past two years. However, for the last few days the local unit was making recovery gradually.

    The exchange rate in open market also witnessed appreciation in rupee value. The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs157.30/Rs157.80 from previous day’s closing of Rs158.20/Rs158.70 in cash ready market.

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  • Rupee makes significant gain of Re1 against dollar in early trade

    Rupee makes significant gain of Re1 against dollar in early trade

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee witnessed massive recovery of Re1 against dollar in early trade on Friday, dealers said.

    The dollar is being traded at Rs157.24 in early trade on Friday as compared with last day’s closing of Rs158.24 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency experts said that positive economic indicators and sharp recovery in the stock exchange boosted the confidence of the investors.

    Besides, contraction in current account deficit also helped the rupee to recover against the greenback.

    The rupee witnessed sharp decline against the dollar in the past two years. However, for the last few days the local unit was making recovery gradually.

  • Withholding Tax Card 2019/2020: non-ATL to pay 40pc on foreign produced commercials

    Withholding Tax Card 2019/2020: non-ATL to pay 40pc on foreign produced commercials

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has said that up to 40 percent income tax shall be collected from a person not on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) in case of receiving payment as non-resident person against foreign produced commercials.

    According to Withholding Tax Card for tax year 2019/2020 issued by the FBR, the tax shall be deducted on payment for foreign produced commercials under Section 152A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    Every person responsible for making payment to a non-resident person shall collect withholding tax at the time of payment from non-resident person.

    The FBR said that tax to be deducted from non-resident while making payments for foreign produced commercial for advertisement on any television channel or any other media at the rate of 20 percent of the gross amount.

    For person not appearing in the ATL, the applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent i.e. 40 percent of the gross amount. The deducted amount shall be final tax liability.

    The FBR also issued withholding tax rates on payments to non-residents under Section 152 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    The FBR said that every person shall deduct tax while making payments for royalties and fee for technical payments to resident under Section 152(1) of the Ordinance at the rate of 15 percent of the gross amount.

    Every person shall deduct withholding tax rate under Section 152(1A) from:

    a) Contract or sub-contract under a construction, assembly or installation project in Pakistan including a contract for the supply of supervisory activities relating to such project.

    b) Any other contract for construction or services rendered relating there to.

    c) Contract for advertisement services rendered by TV Satellite Channels.

    The tax rate shall be 7 percent of the gross amount.

    In case person is not appearing on the ATL, the applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent i.e. 14 percent of the gross amount.

    Under Section 152(1AA) the tax will be deducted from non-resident on any payment of insurance premium or re-insurance to non-resident person the tax shall be deducted at 5 percent of the gross amount.

    Under Section 152(1AAA), the tax will be deducted at 10 percent of the gross amount on payments for advertisement services from non-resident person relaying from outside Pakistan.

    In case persons not appearing on ATL, the applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent i.e. 20 percent of the gross amount.

    The FBR said that tax shall be deducted on remittance outside Pakistan, of fee for off-shore digital services, chargeable to tax u/s 6, to a non-resident person on behalf of any resident or a permanent establishment of a non-resident in Pakistan.

    The FBR said that banking company or financial institution shall collect five percent of the gross amount from non-resident at the time the amount is actually paid.

    In case persons not appearing in the ATL, the applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent i.e. 10 percent of the gross amount.

    Under Section 152(2), the tax deduction on payment to non-resident, no otherwise specified the tax rate shall be 20 percent of the gross amount. The tax shall be adjustable.

    Under Section 152(2A), every prescribed person making payment to a prescribed person making payment to a permanent establishment of non-resident for

    (a) sale of goods

    (i) in case of a company the tax rate shall be four percent of the gross amount.

    (ii) Other than company cases the tax rate shall be 4.5 percent of the gross amount.

    Persons not appearing on ATL the applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent i.e.

    (i) in case of a company the tax rate shall be 8 percent.

    (ii) other than company cases the tax rate shall be 9 percent.

    (b) Rendering /providing of services the tax rate shall be two percent.

    In the case of Transport service:

    (i) in case of a company : 8 percent

    (ii) Other than company cases: 10 percent

    (c) Execution of a contract other than a contract for sale of goods or providing/ rendering of services.

    (i) In case of sports persons: 10 percent

    (ii) Other than sports persons: 7 percent

  • FBR extends date of sales tax, FED payment

    FBR extends date of sales tax, FED payment

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday extended the last date for sales tax and federal excise duty (FED) payment for the month of July 2019 up to August 23, 2019.

    The FBR in an office order informed all Chief Commissioners Inland Revenue of Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs) and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) regarding extension in the date for submission of sales tax and FED return for the tax period of July 2019.

    The FBR said that the date of payment of sales tax and FED for the tax period July 2019, which was due on August 10, 2019 and extended up to August 21, 2019, has been further extended up to August 23, 2019.

  • FBR directs IR, Customs offices to ensure taxpayer friendly environment

    FBR directs IR, Customs offices to ensure taxpayer friendly environment

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday directed all offices of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs to ensure a clean and friendly environment in the offices across the country.

    The FBR directed that all the offices of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs should maintain the highest level of cleanliness.

    Sitting areas for visitors should be clean and well lit. Janitorial staff should be directed to maintain the cleanliness of offices and washrooms for officers, staff and visitors.

    Parking space for officers should be clearly market and there should be reserved parking space for visiting taxpayers, tax practitioners, lawyers, chartered accountants and other visitors. The concerned officers should carry out periodic inspection of their respective premises and take necessary steps to ensure a clean working environment.

    As FBR and its field formations receive a very large number of visitors on a daily basis, the concerned staff should extend necessary courtesy and respect to visiting taxpayers.

    All sitting areas specified for visitors should have ample seating arrangements with availability of clean drinking water.

    Keeping in view the overall security situation, each field office must chalk out a detailed security plan which must be strictly adhered.

    The FBR further said that all security cameras should be made operational and video feed must be constantly monitored.

    The FBR also directed the offices to contribute towards tree plantation campaign of the government by planting trees in their offices and residential colonies. The respective staff be directed to ensure maintenance and care of the green areas.

    The FBR would conduct spot visit of field offices to verify compliance of the directions.

  • FBR notifies transfers, postings of IRS BS-19-20 officers

    FBR notifies transfers, postings of IRS BS-19-20 officers

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday notified transfers and postings of BS-19-20 officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) with immediate effect until further orders.

    The FBR notified transfers and postings of the following officers:

    01. Imtiaz Ahmed (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Chief Coordinator, Chief Coordinator Computer Wing (Income Tax), Islamabad.

    02. Sajidullah Siddiqui (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20) has been posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue Inland Revenue (Appeals-II), Karachi. He was awaiting for posting.

    03. Naeem Babar (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (Lyall Pur Zone) Regional Tax Office, Faisalabad from the post of Additional Commissioner, Regional Tax Office II, Lahore.

    04. Rehan Safdar (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (WHT) Regional Tax Office, Faisalabad from the post of Additional Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore.

    05. Abdul Waheed Khan (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (East Zone-II) Regional Tax Office, Islamabad. He is also assigned the “Additional Charge” of the post of Commissioner-IR (OPS) (West Zone-I), RTO, Islamabad until further orders. From the post of Additional Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation (Inland Revenue), Islamabad.

    06. Zulfiqar Ali Memon (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (Zone-IV) Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi from the post of Additional Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi.

    07. Dr. Razi-ur-Rehman Khan (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (Zone-I) Corporate Regional Tax Office, Lahore from the post of Additional Commissioner, Corporate Regional Tax Office, Lahore.

    08. Syed Bahadur Ali (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (WHT) Regional Tax Office, Multan from the post of Additional Commissioner, (Inland Revenue Range) Regional Tax Office, Multan.

    The FBR said that the Officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

  • Foreign exchange reserves increase by $27 million to $15.604 billion

    Foreign exchange reserves increase by $27 million to $15.604 billion

    KARACHI: The liquid foreign exchange reserves of the country have increased by $27 million to $15.604 billion by week ended August 17, 2019 as compared with $15.577 billion a week ago, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday.

    The official reserves held by SBP fell by $26 million to $8.238 billion by week ended August 17, 2019 as compared with $8.264 billion week ago.

    The central bank said that its official reserves were declined due to external debt servicing and other official payments.

    The foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks have increased by $53 million to $7.366 billion from $7.313 billion.

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  • Foreign direct investment declines by 59 percent in July

    Foreign direct investment declines by 59 percent in July

    KARACHI: The net inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) has declined by 59 percent in the month of July 2019, according to data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday.

    The FDI declined to $73 million in July 2019 as compared with $178.9 million in the same month of the last year.

    The inflows under FDI declined to $168.4 million in the first month of current fiscal year as compared with $264.6 million in the corresponding month of the last fiscal year. The outflows were at $95 million as compared with $85.6 million.

    The total foreign private investment witnessed decline of 21.6 percent to $107.2 million during the month under review as compared with $136.8 million in July 2018.

    The inflow of portfolio investment in capital market increased by 180 percent to $34 million in July 2019 as compared with outflow of $42 million in the same month of the last year.

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