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  • PM Imran, Chinese President reaffirm resolve to build community for shared future

    PM Imran, Chinese President reaffirm resolve to build community for shared future

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Sunday. The two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to building of the Pakistan-China Community for Shared Future in the New Era.

    The Prime Minister renewed his invitation to President Xi Jinping to undertake a visit to Pakistan at his early convenience.

    This was the first meeting of the two leaders since the Prime Minister’s visit to China in October 2019.

    READ MORE: Pakistan, China discuss bilateral economic, trade ties

    The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the leadership and people of China on successful hosting of the 24th Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and extended his best wishes on the Chinese Lunar New Year.

    The Prime Minister underscored that China was Pakistan’s steadfast partner, staunch supporter and Iron Brother. The All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China had withstood the tests of times and the two nations firmly stood side by side in realizing their visions and shared aspirations of peace, stability, development and prosperity.

    READ MORE: PM Imran invites Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan

    The Prime Minister briefed President Xi on people-centered geo-economics vision and his Government’s policies for Pakistan’s sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernization, and regional connectivity.

    He lauded China’s continued support and assistance to Pakistan’s socio-economic development which had greatly benefitted from the high quality development of CPEC.

    The Prime Minister welcomed increased Chinese investments in CPEC’s Phase-II which centered on industrialization and improving people’s livelihoods. The Prime Minister shared his views with President Xi on growing polarization in the world which threatened unraveling of global developmental gains, and posed serious risks to the developing countries.

    He highlighted that insurmountable challenges like climate change, health pandemics and growing inequalities could only be tackled though unqualified cooperation of all nations in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

    In this regard, he lauded President Xi’s visionary Belt and Road and Global Development Initiatives which called for collective action for sustainable development and win-win outcomes.

    The Prime Minister highlighted that atrocities being perpetrated in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and the persecution of minorities in India in advancing the Hindutva mindset of RSS-BJP, was a threat to regional peace and stability.

    He added that rapid militarization of India was undermining regional stability.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted that partnership between Pakistan and China was an anchor for peace and stability in the region and thanked China for its unwavering support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national development.

    The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to China on all issues of its core interest. Both leaders acknowledged that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would promote economic development and connectivity in the region and called on the international community to promptly assist the Afghan people in averting a humanitarian catastrophe.

    Both leaders appreciated the signing of a number of agreements covering industrial cooperation, space cooperation, and vaccine cooperation.

  • Pakistan, China discuss bilateral economic, trade ties

    Pakistan, China discuss bilateral economic, trade ties

    BEIJING: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held wide-ranging talks with Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on Saturday.

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  • Prime Minister Imran kicks off visit to China

    Prime Minister Imran kicks off visit to China

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday kicked off a four-day visit to China. Prime Minister Imran will attend the ceremony of Winter Olympics and meet the Chinese leadership.

    The prime minister’s delegation included Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousaf, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood and Special Assistant on China Pakistan Economic Corridor Khalid Mansoor.

    READ MORE: PM Imran terms exports, tax collection must for growth

    The prime minister besides attending the ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

    Prior to departure, the accompanying ministers termed the prime minister’s visit to China of great significance.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said PM Khan’s meeting with the Chinese leadership would focus on bilateral strategic partnership, regional matters, and peace and security in South Asia.

    READ MORE: PM Imran Khan announces food subsidy package

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said the prime minister during the visit would propose the Chinese leadership to relocate their industry in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones for a win-win situation besides extending assistance in agriculture.

    National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousaf said the visit would provide an opportunity to discuss ways to improve peace in Afghanistan to end terrorism.

    READ MORE: PM Imran launches landmark Karachi BRTS project

    Commerce Adviser Dawood said the meetings would the Chinese counterparts would focus on some areas of Free Trade Agreement and trade of cement, rice, fruit and vegetables.

    During the visit of PM Khan, a book titled ‘China Pakistan Economic Corridor – Investment Opportunities in Pakistan’ will be presented to the Chinese president, premier and investors.

  • Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    ISLAMABAD: The government has kept the prices of petroleum products unchanged for next fortnight on Monday after Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected the proposals to hike the POL prices.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday rejected proposals to increase the petrol price by Rs 10 per liter and diesel by Rs 14, in the national interest.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    The prime minister said that government would bear the burden of the price hike this time to protect the people from the additional economic burden.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    As the government was striving to avert the burden of inflation from the people, therefore the prime minister deferred the Energy Ministry’s summary despite the fact that the oil prices were increasing worldwide owing to the swelling global inflation.

    Following the decision, the prices of petroleum products will be maintained at: petrol Rs147.83 per liter; high speed diesel (HSD) Rs144.62 per liter; kerosene Rs116.48 per liter; and light diesel oil at Rs114.54 per liter.

    READ MORE: Petrol price reduces to Rs140.82 per liter

    A statement issued by the Finance Division stated that the petroleum products are showing substantial increase in the international market and presently trading at highest level since 2014. The oil prices have witnessed an increase of 14.5% just in last month in the global market.

    The existing Sales Tax rate and Petroleum Levy on various petroleum products are much below the budgeted targets. The Government is bearing the revenue loss of around Rs.30 billion (fortnightly) on account of budgeted to existing PL and ST rates and Rs. 260 billion annually due to reduced ST rate.

    READ MORE: Govt. keeps petroleum prices unchanged

    Despite revenue losses due to rising petroleum prices globally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has deferred the proposal by OGRA to increase up to Rs. 16.79/Litre in the petroleum product prices and desired that petroleum product prices shall remain the same from 1st February, 2020 as notified earlier on 15th January, 2022 for providing maximum relief to the general public. The Prime Minister has further desired to keep the prices at the same level through adjustments in Sales Tax, if required.

  • January headline inflation may clock near 13%

    January headline inflation may clock near 13%

    KARACHI: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) may clock near 13 per cent for the month of January 2022.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited forecast that January 2022 inflation to settle at 12.97 per cent Year on Year (YoY) compared to 5.65 per cent in January 2021 and 12.28 per cent in December 2021, respectively.

    This will take the average inflation to 10.24 per cent during first seven months (July – January) 2021/2022 compared to 8.21 per cent in corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

    READ MORE: Mini-budget likely to push up inflation: SBP

    The YoY uptick in CPI will likely be led by Food (12.5 per cent YoY), Clothing & Footwear (13.3 per cent YoY), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (2.2 per cent YoY), Housing (15.0 per cent YoY), House Hold Equipment (13.5 per cent YoY) and Miscellaneous (9.4 per cent YoY).

    The analysts predicted that on a Month on Month (MoM) basis, CPI reading to increase 0.4 per cent. While Housing and Transport index are likely to keep MoM inflation up, food index is expected to decline 0.7 per cent MoM.

    This is the second consecutive MoM decline in food index in the current fiscal year.

    READ MORE: Headline inflation rises by 12.3% in December 2021

    As per Sensitive Price Index (SPI) data published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), average prices of Potatoes, Tomatoes and Condiments and Spices are expected to register a decline of 13 per cent, 35 per cent and 21 per cent MoM, respectively which will keep the food index contained.

    On the other hand, prices of essential food items like Fresh Fruits and Onions are expected to increase 8 per cent MoM and 5 per cent MoM, respectively. However, quarterly adjustment in House rent and increase in petroleum products will keep the Housing index and Transport Index up 0.5 per cent MoM and 1.9 per cent MoM, respectively.

    READ MORE: Headline inflation surges by 11.5% in November 2021

    Inflation has witnessed slowdown recently with supply-side pressures from food showing a decline and core-inflation still under control. However, going forward we expect inflation to remain in check on account of adjustments in electricity price (base tariff hike-which is expected in phased manner), any increase in prices of petroleum products owing to higher international oil prices and surge in prices of perishable and nonperishable food items in the month of Ramadan.

    The analysts expect average inflation for FY22 to remain in double digit, above 10 per cent YoY. On monetary policy front, the SBP kept policy rate unchanged at 9.75 per cent in its recent January 2022 Monetary Policy Statement (MPS).

    READ MORE: Headline inflation increases by 9.2% in October

    The Committee no longer targets mildly positive interest rates as it believes the current levels appear appropriate for the economy.

  • Rules amended on remittances on behalf of Hajj, Umrah organizers

    Rules amended on remittances on behalf of Hajj, Umrah organizers

    KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday amended instructions in Foreign Exchange Manual regarding remittances on behalf of Hajj group and Umrah organizers.

    The SBP invited attention of banks and exchange companies to Para 45A and 45B, Chapter 17 (Travel) of Foreign Exchange Manual in terms of which banks and exchange companies are allowed to make advance remittances on behalf of the Hajj Group Organizers and the Umrah Organizers, subject to compliance of applicable terms and conditions.

    READ MORE: SBP shortens period to 120 days for bringing export earnings

    In order to streamline the instructions relating to advance payments by Hajj and Umrah Organizers, the sub-para (viii) of Para 45A and sub-para (viii) of Para 45B of Chapter 17 stand omitted.

    The omitted instructions are:

    READ MORE: SBP introduces licensing, regulations for digital banking

    “viii) In the case of repatriation of advance payment, exchange gain, if any, will not be passed on to the HGO, rather the same will be deposited in favor of State Bank of Pakistan. To this effect, the Authorized Dealer should get consent/agreement signed by the concerned HGO at the time of effecting remittance. 7The exchange gain should be deposited in favor of the State Bank through RTGS Clearing Account No. 427518. In this respect, a consolidated statement regarding all such cases will be submitted by Head/Principal Offices of the Authorized Dealers to the Director, Foreign Exchange Operations Department, SBP-Banking Services Corporation on monthly basis as per prescribed format (Appendix V-141).”

    READ MORE: SBP introduces Shariah compliant OMO injections

    “viii) In case of repatriation of advance payment(s), exchange gain, if any, will not be passed on to the Umrah Organizer, rather the same will be deposited in favor of State Bank of Pakistan. To this effect, the Authorized Dealer should get consent/ agreement signed by the concerned Umrah Organizer. 9The exchange gain should be deposited in favor of the State Bank through RTGS Clearing Account No. 427518. In this respect, a consolidated statement regarding all such cases will be submitted by Head/Principal Offices of the Authorized Dealers to the Director, Foreign Exchange Operations Department, SBP-Banking Services Corporation on monthly basis as per prescribed format (Appendix V-143).”

  • Customers get Rs709 million in complaints against banks

    Customers get Rs709 million in complaints against banks

    Banking customers have been provided relief of an amount of Rs709 million in complaints lodged against banks, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

    The Banking Mohtasib Pakistan (BMP) has provided relief amounting to Rs 709 million to the banking customers by disposing of 32,592 complaints during the year, 2021 out of 37,364 complaints which works out to about 87 per cent of the total complaints as compared to the year, 2020 wherein relief of Rs 598 million was provided to the banking customers by disposing of 21,360 complaints.

    READ MORE: Mohtasib provides relief of Rs600 million in complaints against banks

    According to the Annual report for the year 2021 of BMP which was released today 33,196 new complaints, including 18,762 complaints from Prime Minister’s portal, were received at BMP Secretariat in 2021 whereas 4167 of complaints were brought forward from the year, 2020.

    An increase of about 46% was observed in the receipt of complaints at BMP during the year, 2021 as compared to the year, 2020. In-spite of Covid-19, Banking Mohtasib Pakistan Office has succeeded in maintaining the regular pace of disposing of complaints while adhering to the prescribed Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

    READ MORE: Mohtasib receives 11,174 complaints against banks during six months

    To keep pace with the technology and to meet the art of the technological product, BMP has embarked upon a project to upgrade the I.T. system and revamp its website.

    This revamped website will contain an online complaint lodgment portal for general public which will be followed by launching of SMS service by sometime in June this year to keep them abreast with the status of their complaints.

    READ MORE: Mohtasib receives 14,587 complaints against banks

    With a view to protecting the people from fraudulent activities which are rampant now a days, the Banking Mohtasib, Mr. Kamran Shehzad has also emphasized on the banking customers that they should not disclose their personal and financial credentials to any third person. On receipt of suspicious calls they should immediately approach the nearest branch of their bank or contact the helpline of the bank, he added.

    READ MORE: Complaints against banks surge by 51 percent: Banking Mohtasib

  • FBR slaps sales tax at 17% on supply of food stuff

    FBR slaps sales tax at 17% on supply of food stuff

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has instituted a significant change in the tax structure for the supply of food items by restaurants, bakeries, caterers, and sweetmeat shops, imposing a 17% sales tax.

    (more…)
  • FBR slashes sales tax rates on petrol, HSD

    FBR slashes sales tax rates on petrol, HSD

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday slashed sales tax rates on petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) in order to reduce the impact of high oil prices at consumer end.

    The FBR issued SRO 88(I)/2022 dated January 18, 2022 to notify changes the sales tax rates on supply of petroleum products.

    The sales tax on supply of petrol has been reduced to 2.5 per cent ad valorem from 4.77 per cent. Similarly, the rate of sales tax on supply of high speed diesel has been reduced to 5.44 per cent from 9.08 per cent.

    The FBR kept unchanged the sales tax rates on kerosene and light diesel oil at 8.30 per cent and 2.70 per cent, respectively.

    The revenue body previously issued SRO 01(I)/2022 dated January 3, 2022 to change the rate of sales tax on petroleum products.

    Earlier on January 15, 2022, the government announced to increase prices of all petroleum products for next fortnight.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    According to the notification, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs3.01 to Rs147.83 per liter from Rs144.82.

    The price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs3 to rs144.62 per liter from Rs141.62.

    The rate of kerosene has been enhanced by Rs3 to Rs116.48 per liter from Rs113.48.

    The price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs 3.33 toRs114.54 per liter from Rs111.21.

    According to a notification issued by the Finance Division on January 15, 2022, the decision to enhance domestic prices of petroleum products because the international oil price had registered 6.2 per cent during the last week. Presently, at the highest level since last year.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    The existing sales tax rate and petroleum levy on various petroleum products are much below the budgeted targets.

    The finance ministry said that against the recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for increase of Rs5.52 per liter in petrol and Rs6.19/liter in high speed diesel prices, the Prime Minister had directed to absorb at the international prices through further cut in sales tax from last fortnight.

    “The finance ministry will take Rs2.6 billion revenue hit due to reduced sales tax rates,” it added.

    Therefore, the government has decided to make partial increase in the prices of the petroleum products in order to provide relief to the end consumers.

  • Dr. Alvi orders action over misconduct with 82-year taxpayer

    Dr. Alvi orders action over misconduct with 82-year taxpayer

    ISLAMABAD: The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, expressed dismay over misconduct of tax authorities with an 82 year old taxpayers in a refund case.

    Dr. Alvi directed the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to look into the entire system of irresponsibility and corruption and take punitive action against the entire chain of decision makers involved in the case, a statement said on Sunday.

    He took exception to the decision of FBR against a senior citizen that refused him to refund a paltry sum of Rs 2,333 on frivolous grounds and dragged him into unnecessary litigation spanning over a year.

    READ MORE: Dr. Alvi rejects banker’s plea in woman harassment case

    Apologizing to the senior citizen Abdul Hamid Khan, the President said that our heads should hang in shame for the inconvenience caused by FBR to the senior citizen.

    Abdul Hamid Khan (the complainant), a senior citizen of 82 years of age, had claimed a refund of Rs 2,333 on his income tax return for the year 2020 and submitted requisite documents of advance tax deduction of the PTCL and cell phone company bills on October 19, 2020.

    The complainant e-filed refund application on October 19, 2020 followed by representation to FBR Chairman on December 24,2020.

    The Unit officer of FBR rejected his refund claim, on January 29, 2021, on the grounds that the applicant had failed to furnish the original certificates required for authentication.

    READ MORE: Alvi praises FTO role in resolving taxpayers’ complaints

    The complainant then took up the matter with the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to seek redressal of his complaint. The FTO investigated the matter and ordered FBR on June 02, 2021 to revisit the impugned order ,dated January 19, 2021, and pass a fresh order, under section 170(4) of the ordinance, after providing the complainant the opportunity for hearing as per law.

    It further ordered to identify and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the official who passed the impugned order in derogation of the law and procedures and dragged the ageing taxpayer into unnecessary litigation as well as report compliance within 45 days.

    Consequently, FBR filed a representation with the President against the original order of FTO on 24.06.2021. President Dr Arif Alvi rejected the representation of FBR.

    The President said that the complainant had admittedly furnished copies of advance tax as per certificates collected by telephone authorities. In case the Unit Officer was not satisfied with the copies of certificates, he could have not only got the same verified from the PTCL and Cell Phone Company but verification was also possible through online system.

    He observed that it was the responsibility of the duty officer to get the deduction of tax verified from the deducting authorities irrespective of certificates being original or copies/system generated, if the same were not reflecting in the system for one or the other reason.

    READ MORE: PTCL registers 7.3% revenue growth for nine months

    The President termed the failure of the officer to verify the bills from PTCL and the cell phone company through the online system as shirking from responsibility and an act of maladministration.

    He upheld that the act of the officer was a mockery and travesty of law, procedure and instructions of FBR.

    It appeared that unlawful treatment was meted out in the instant case with a view to irritate and humiliate the ageing pensioner.

    While rejecting the representation of FBR, the President said that this must be the most pitiful and shameful use of bureaucratic authority and regretted that the FBR official had wasted the time of his department, the Tax Ombudsman and the President of Pakistan over a paltry sum of Rs 2,333 and the matter had lingered for over a year.

    READ MORE: FBR announces winners of first POS prize draw

    He also deplored that no one in the long chain of bureaucrats in FBR deliberated over the issue to take note of the unfairness, pettiness and superfluousness of the matter.

    “Punitive action must be taken along the entire line of decision-makers in this case and Chairman FBR should ensure that those responsible, in particular, and others, in general, go through courses to teach them priorities and courtesies,” he directed.