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  • Birds hit two PIA aircraft

    Birds hit two PIA aircraft

    KARACHI: At least two aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were damaged in bird-strike incidents which were took place at Karachi Airport, a spokesman said on Monday.

    “Today two aircraft were hit by birds once again. Both incidents took place at the Karachi airport,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan said.

    The spokesman said that flight number PK301 was damaged on the nose and other flight number PK311 on its wing flap by the bird strike.

    “These strikes not only pose life threatening danger for passengers but also cause financial losses,” the spokesman added.

    The national flag carrier appealed several times for appropriate actions to be taken to remove presence of birds around the airport.

    The spokesperson said that the PIA had contacted Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in this regard, along with running a special social media campaign to raise awareness on the issue.

    “Unfortunately, no substantial action has so far been taken,” the spokesperson said and urged everyone to join the airline in addressing the issue as it concerns everyone.

  • Text of National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019

    Text of National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019

    ISLAMABAD: A presidential ordinance has been promulgated to restrict National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take action against matters of tax evasion and an act of government officials done in good faith.

    Following is the text of the amended ordinance

    ===================================================================

    BILL

         further to amend the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999

         WHEREAS it is expedient further to amend the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (No. XVIII of 1999), for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

    It is hereby enacted as follows: –

    1. Short title and commencement – This Act may be called the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019.

    (2)  It shall come into force at once.

    1. Amendment of section 4, Ordinance XVIII 1999 – In the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (No.XVIII of 1999), the current section 4 shall be substituted with the following provisions namely: –

    “4.  Application

    (1) This Ordinance extends to the whole of Pakistan.

    (2)  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Ordinance, except for the persons, transactions and matters specified in sub-Section (3) of this Section, the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all persons, including those persons who are or have been in the service of Pakistan, wherever they may be.

    (3)  The persons, transactions and matters to which the provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply will be as follows: –

    • transactions and matters pertaining to Federal or Provincial taxation, duties, levies or imposts, by whatever name called;

    Explanation

    • All pending inquiries and investigations which relate to matters pertaining to this clause (a) sub-Section (3) of Section 4 shall stand transferred to the respective authorities or departments which administer the relevant laws of taxation, levies or imposts in question by whatever name called;
    • All pending trials which relate to matters pertaining to this clause (a) sub-Section (3) of Section 4 shall stand transferred from the relevant Accountability Courts to the criminal Courts which deal with offences, if any, under the respective laws pertaining to taxations, levies or imposts in question by whatever name called;

    (b)  any private person or matter or transaction in relation to such private person, unless such private persons is alleged to: –

    • have given or offered to give or attempted to give any gratification, other than legal remuneration, or valuable thing or pecuniary advantage to a public officer holder in terms of clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) of Section 9(a) and there is corroborative evidence that the public office holder has materially benefitted by gaining any monetary benefit or asset disproportionate to his known sources of income or which cannot be reasonably accounted, from such private person; or
    • is directly or indirectly connected with the holder of public office as his dependent or benamidar;

    Explanation

    • However, this clause (b) of sub-Section (3) of Section 4 shall not apply in case of an offence falling under clauses (ix), (x) and (xi) of Section 9(a) and clause (xii) of Section 9(a) to the extent that it applies to clauses (ix), (x) and (xi) of Section 9(a).

    (c)  unless a holder of public office has materially benefitted by gaining any monetary benefit or asset disproportionate to his known sources of income or which cannot be reasonably accounted for by the holder of public and there is evidence to corroborate such material benefit, NAB shall not take cognizance of any offence under this Ordinance involving a procedural lapse including any offence specified in clause (vi) of Section 9(a);

    (d)  unless a holder of public office has materially benefitted by gaining any monetary benefit or asset disproportionate to his known sources of income or which cannot be reasonably accounted for, and there is evidence to corroborate such material benefit, NAB shall not take cognizance of any offence involving the rendition of an incorrect act, decision, advice, opinion or report;

    (e)  the valuation of immovable properties, for the purposes of assessing as to whether a holder of public office has assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, shall be reckoned either according to the actual price shown on the relevant title documents or the applicable rate prescribed by the District Collector or the Federal Board of Revenue, which is higher. No evidence contrary to the later shall be admissible.

    1. Amendment of Section 5, Ordinance XVIII 1999 – In the current Section 5 “Definitions” of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (No.XVIII of 1999), after the definition of “PERSON” in clause (o) the following heading will be added namely: –

    “PRIVATE PERSON” shall mean any person other than the holder of public office.”

    1. In the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (No. XVIII of 1999), after clause (vi) of sub-section (a) of Section 9, Ordinance XVIII of 1999 the following proviso shall be added, namely: –

    “Provided that an act done in good faith and in discharge of duties and performance of official function shall not, unless there is corroborative evidence of accumulation by the public office holder of any monetary benefit or asset which is disproportionate to the known sources of income or which cannot be reasonably accounted for, constitute an offence under this clause.”

    1. In the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (No. XVIII of 1999), after clause (vii) of sub-section (a) of Section 9, Ordinance XVIII of 1999 the following proviso shall be added, namely: –

    “Provided that an act done in good faith and in discharge of duties and performance of official function shall not, unless there is corroborative evidence of accumulation by the public office holder of any monetary benefit or asset which is disproportionate to the known sources of income or which cannot be reasonably accounted for, constitute an offence under this clause.”

    PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN

  • CCP imposes penalty of Rs75 million on flour mills association for anti-competitive activities

    CCP imposes penalty of Rs75 million on flour mills association for anti-competitive activities

    ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a penalty of Rs75 million on Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) for providing a platform to share commercially sensitive information and fixing the quantities of production of wheat flour.

    The commission took the notice on reports suggesting unusual price hike of wheat flour or wheat atta across Pakistan and carried out raids on PFMA premises.

    “The enquiry in the matter concluded that PFMA is providing a platform to its members for settling of prices of wheat flour to avoid any form of competition which is in violation of the laws.”

    After hearing the parties, the CCP’s bench comprising of the Chairperson Ms. Vadiyya Khalil and Members Dr. Muhammad Saleem and Dr. Shahzad Ansar passed the order.

    The commission observed that under Article 38 of the Constitution the State is responsible to ensure the provisions of food and basic necessities at fair prices along with social and economic benefits to its citizens.

    Accordingly, Provincial Food Departments set a maximum cap of the wheat flour price under the Foodstuffs (Control) Act, 1958; as wheat is Pakistan’s dietary staple and used by consumers belonging to all socio-economic groups.

    The wheat flour currently contributes 72 percent of Pakistan’s daily caloric intake with per capita wheat consumption of around 124 kilograms per year, one of the highest in the world.

    The commission observed that having a maximum cap in the essential food item benefits the consumer to bargain for a lower price and prevents retailers from overcharging consumers. This also enables retailers to discount the product in order to increase their sale.

    “PFMA in complete derogation of the aforesaid objective, deliberately fixed the rates of wheat flour by conducting meetings and discussing the prices as well as the quantities to be produced and supplied by flour mills in violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act.”

    The CCP also observed that discussion, deliberation and decision regarding purely business concerns like current and future pricing, production and marketing are anti-competitive and should be avoided at all costs by the association.

  • EOBI pension increased by 30 percent from January 01

    EOBI pension increased by 30 percent from January 01

    ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to increase pension amount by 30 percent from January 01, 2019, special assistant to prime minister said on Thursday.

    “New year is heralding big news for the pensioners of Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) as the government has decided to raise their annuity by 30 per cent from January 1,2020,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari said while addressing Ciniplex and Commercial Complex’ inaguration ceremony on Thursday.

    He said that after increase in the EOBI pensioners would receive Rs 8,500 per month from January, 1 next year.

    He said the ministry would move the summary regarding the increase at the next meeting of federal cabinet for a final approval.

    The SAPM said the PTI government, in its efforts to give more relief to the pensioners, had twice increased their annuity in just one and half year’s tenure.

    He said the government had already enhanced the minimum pension of the EOBI’s insured person from Rs 5,250 to Rs 6,500 during 2018.

    The EOBI pension has been enhanced by 62 per cent since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government came into power.

    “We are intending to raise this amount up to Rs 15,000 by the end of our tenure (2023),” Zulfikar Bukhari said.

  • Overseas Pakistanis to be allowed bring duty-free hybrid vehicles

    Overseas Pakistanis to be allowed bring duty-free hybrid vehicles

    ISLAMABAD: In order to recognize the services of overseas Pakistanis, the government is considering to allow bringing duty-free hybrid vehicles into the country.

    A statement said that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistan has proposed a major reward for Overseas Pakistanis in recognition of their services for the country and for their enduring convenience abroad.

    The ministry is currently in the process of developing a list of major concessions and privileges to be given to Overseas Pakistanis for which all stakeholders and various departments have been requested to offer their concessional proposals.

    It is for this reason; the Commerce Division has been requested to give their opinion on allowing Overseas Pakistanis, who remit one hundred thousand dollars to Pakistan in two years’ time, to bring one hybrid vehicle up to 3000cc without any duty.

    The Commerce Division has proposed sending the same to the Ministry of Industry and Production/Engineering Development Board (EDB) to obtain their opinion.

    The departments have been requested to submit their comments on the proposal as soon as possible so that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis can prepare this list within a stipulated time as advised by the Prime Minister’s office.

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) and Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, announced his full support for the move, reiterating that the project would not only reward overseas Pakistanis for contributing to the national treasury, but would also curtail Hundi and Hawala culture.

    PM’s advisor Zulfi Bukhari is currently on a three-day tour to Doha, Qatar where he is meeting with Qatar Officials to promote tourism and investment in Pakistan.

  • Pension identity card for retired government employees launched

    Pension identity card for retired government employees launched

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has started issuance of pension identity card to the pensioners/ex-employees of the federal government.

    The office of the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues issued a circular to notify Pensioner Identity Card Form for issuance of pensioner card to the retired/family of deceased employees of the federal government.

    The AGPR asked all the government department to forward the form to their ex-employees/family of the deceased employees for the with the advise to fill up the form and submit to the concerned account office for issuance of pension identity card.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to comply with the instructions circulated the information on November 14, 2019 (Thursday) to FBR headquarters and all field formations to inform the ex-employees / family of ex-employees with the advise to fill the form properly and submit the same to the concerned account office for issuance of pension identity card.

  • Prime minister forms committee to resolve tax challenges for construction industry

    Prime minister forms committee to resolve tax challenges for construction industry

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday constituted a committee for formulation of proposals to resolve challenges of federal and provincial taxes faced by construction industry.

    The committee will be headed by Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider.

    The prime minister was chairing a high level meeting regarding the revival and promotion of construction sector. The meeting was briefed in detail about the challenges faced by the sector.

    According to state news media the prime minister highlighted the significance of construction sector in boosting economic activities and said the present government had given a lot of importance to the sector, which would help realize the project of five million housing units.

    The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hasham Jawan Bakht, Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Balochistan Finance Minister Zahoor Ahmad Bulaidi, FBR Chairman Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Board of Investment Chairman Syed Zubair Haider Gilani, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jahanzeb Khan, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider and senior federal and provincial governments’ officers.

    The prime minister said the promotion of construction sector was the government’s foremost priority, adding since around 40 industries were allied with it, the promotion of construction sector besides developing those industries would also create job opportunities for youth.

    The meeting discussed in detail various proposals regarding the provision of bank loans, uniform implementation of taxes and promotion of public-private partnerships for the construction sector.

    The prime minister was briefed about the problems faced by the builders, contractors, developers and real estate businesses, especially, the ratio of federal and provincial taxes, difficulties in the provision of capital from banks, problems regarding registration, other official procedures and corruption.

    Other members of the committee included the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman, Governor State Bank, Punjab finance minister, provincial chief secretaries and other relevant officers.

    The prime minister directed the committee to submit a strategy along with recommendations to address the problems about taxes, provision of loans from banks and other difficulties faced by the construction sector within the next 24 hours.

  • EOBI pension to increase Rs15,000 per month

    EOBI pension to increase Rs15,000 per month

    KARACHI: The government is aiming to increase the pension amount to Rs15,000 per month from existing Rs6,500 in order to provide relief to elder pensioners and their survivors, a statement said on Sunday.

    Addressing at the first ever Annual Pension Day organized by Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) has organized, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, as the chief guest of the ceremony said that currently, the minimum EOBI Pension is Rs6,500 per month but “I am determined to increase the amount to Rs. 15,000 pm, during the term of our government so that the elder pensioners and their survivors would get a little breather.”

    Bukhari said that in September 2018, he had announced 23 percent increase in Pension due to which the Pension was increased to Rs 6,500.

    “However, still it is a nominal amount and needs to be increased. We will make the EOBI a viable and profitable Institution and protect the rights of pensioners,” he said.

    Bukhari further said that more than Rs20 billion have been collected as EOBI Contribution from registered Employers across the country and disbursed 33 billion among the Pensioners.

    “It is not possible to deny the importance of Social Protection for the elderly, disabled employees and widows of the mother land,” he added.

    Earlier, Secretary OP&HRD Engr. Aamir Hassan has welcomed the Chief Guest and briefed the objective of celebration of 1st Annual Pension Day by EOBI.

    On this occasion, Chairman EOBI, Azhar Hameed also expressed his views and highlighted the EOBI services and performance towards registered Employers, Insured persons and Pensioners.

    He said that we are transforming EOBI into a state-of-the-art Institution. We have already started some important projects to achieve our goals.

    One of them is EOBI Transformation Initiative (ETI). Our vision for the future is on being the “Best Technology Driven Service-Oriented Institution” in the country to enable Pension disbursement on timely, prompt and Service basis with the utmost convenience for the contributors. We have also focused on social media and created our twitter handle @EOBIPakistan.

    EOBI Board of Trustees member from KPK Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Sarwar (Employer’s representative) & Muhammad Iqbal (Employees’ representative) also addressed the ceremony.

    Meanwhile, EOBI has selected 132 top and prominent Employers/Companies throughout Pakistan sector-wise i.e. Textile, Sugar, Cement, Coal Mining, IT, Security Companies, Education, Banking, Micro Finance Banking, Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Hospitals, Automobile, Engineering, Human Resource, Beverages, Hotel Industry, Food, Courier Services, Telecommunication, Tobacco, Construction, Media and Power Sector on the basis of highest paid EOBI Contribution on current rate for their employees.

    The chief guest awarded Gold Medals, shields and Appreciation certificates among the following top and prominent Employers/Companies of the country, which included:

    1. PTCL, Islamabad (Total contribution paid Rs. 1,936,432,580, Total pensioners 1,303 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 216,822,225)

    2. K-Electric, Karachi (Total contribution paid Rs. 1,343,087,088, Total pensioners 9,546 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 3,057,430,302)

    3. HRSG Outsourcing Pvt. Ltd., Karachi (Total contribution paid Rs. 1,282,679,010, Total pensioners 247 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 50,942,812)

    4. Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd., Islamabad (Total contribution paid Rs. 1,020,352,522, Total pensioners 4,147 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 1,096,759,647)

    5. Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd., Lahore (Total contribution paid Rs. 874,902,306, Total pensioners 3,698 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 1,190,798,741)

    6. The Aga Khan Hospital Medical College Foundation, Karachi (Total contribution paid Rs. 851,357,226, Total pensioners 813 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 223,709,796)

    7. Utility Stores Corp Ltd., Islamabad (Total contribution paid Rs. 742,159,088, Total pensioners 1,048 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 293,062,537)

    8. The Citizen Foundation, Karachi (Total contribution paid Rs. 726,093,214, Total pensioners 313 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 58,324,928)

    9. Interloop Ltd., Faisalabad (Total contribution paid Rs. 698,254,092, Total pensioners 213 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 51,143,537)

    10. Educational Services Pvt. Ltd. Lahore¬ (Total contribution paid Rs. 662,192,355, Total pensioners 916 and Total pensioner disbursed Rs. 295,556,050)

    The following prominent Employers/ Companies were also honored with Shields and Appreciation certificates for their valuable EOBI Contribution towards their employee’s welfare.

    • Islamabad Hotel,
    • Abbott Laboratories Pakistan Limited,
    • Adamjee Insurance Company Limited,
    • The Aga Khan Hospital Medical College Foundation,
    • Airport Hotel (The Inn),
    • Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited,
    • Al-Karam Textile Mills Pvt. Ltd.,
    • ANC Foods, Ashraf, Sugar Mills,
    • Askari Cement Ltd.,
    • Askari Guards (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • Attock Refinery Limited,
    • B.L. Harbert International Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Bahria Town Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Bata Pakistan Ltd.,
    • Bosch Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited,
    • Chenab Management Liaison,
    • The Citizen Foundation,
    • The City Schools Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Coca Cola Beverages Pakistan Ltd.,
    • Credit Commerce Consultants Pvt. Ltd.,
    • D.G. Khan Cement Co. Ltd.,
    • Daily Business Recorder,
    • Daily Jang Rawalpindi,
    • Design Engg. Services Construction Ltd.,
    • Dr. Ziauddin Hospital.,
    • E F U General Insurance Ltd.,
    • Educational Excellence Ltd.,
    • Educational Services (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • Educational Services (Pvt.) Ltd. (Regional Office),
    • EFU Life Assurance Ltd.,
    • ENI Pakistan Limited,
    • Express Publications Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Fauji Cement Company Limited,
    • Fauji Security Services,
    • Finca Microfinance Bank Ltd.,
    • Fouji Foundation Hospital,
    • Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd.,
    • Hafiz Tannery, Hamza Sugar Mills Ltd.,
    • Hascol Petrolum Limited,
    • Heavy Mechanical Complex Limited,
    • Hillcrest Solutions Pvt. Ltd.,
    • Hinopak Motors Ltd.,
    • HRSG Outsourcing Private Ltd.,
    • Hub Pak Salt Refinery,
    • i2c Pakistan,
    • Independent Media Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. (Geo),
    • Information Technology Services, Interloop Limited,
    • Islamabad Marriott Hotel,
    • Izhar Construction Ltd.,
    • Jaag Broadcasting Systems (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • JDW Sugar Mills Limited,
    • Jubilee Life Insurance Company Limited,
    • K- Electric,
    • Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Ltd.,
    • Katha Collieries Pak. Ltd.,
    • Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Oil & Gas Company,
    • Khyber Tobacco Company Limited,
    • Lahore Grammar School,
    • Leather Field (Pvt.) Limited,
    • Leopard Courier Service,
    • Lucky Cement Limited,
    • M A Food Industries Pvt. Ltd.,
    • M Fazal Haq & Co. Ltd.,
    • H. Sadar Ali Akhtar Ali Pvt., Ltd.,
    • Super Coal Mines,
    • Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd.,
    • Masood Textile Mills Ltd.,
    • MCC Resources Development Co (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • Meezan Bank Limited,
    • Memon Motor Private Limited,
    • Mezan Beverages Pvt.,
    • Limited, Muller &Phipps Pakistan Ltd.,
    • Mushtaq Ali Khan Contractor,
    • Muslim Contractor Company (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • National Communication Services,
    • National Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd.,
    • National Insurance Corporation Ltd.,
    • National Radio Telecommunication Corp.,
    • National Refinery Ltd.,
    • Nextbridge Private Ltd.,
    • Nishat Mills Ltd.,
    • NRSP Microfinance Bank Limited,
    • Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd.,
    • Orient Petroleum Pty Limited,
    • Pak Arab Refinery Ltd.,
    • Pak Elektron Ltd.,
    • Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited,
    • Pakistan Herald Publications Ltd.,
    • Pakistan Mineral Development Corp,
    • Pakistan Petroleum Limited,
    • Pakistan Refinery Ltd.,
    • Pakistan State Oil Company Limited,
    • Pakistan Telecommunication Co Ltd.,
    • Pakistan Television Corporation Limited,
    • Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited Karachi,
    • Pearl Continental Hotel,
    • Philip Morris (Pakistan) Ltd.,
    • Phoenix Armour Pvt.,
    • Limited, Phoenix Security Service Pvt. Ltd.,
    • People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI Sindh),
    • Professional Employers Private Limited,
    • Punjab Beverages Co. (Pvt.,) Ltd.,
    • Quality Contracto,
    • Ravi Auto Sundar Pvt. Ltd.,
    • S S Foot Marks Pvt.,
    • Limited, Sami Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,
    • Searle (Pakistan) Limited,
    • Serena Hotel,
    • Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital,
    • Shell Pakistan Ltd.,
    • Skills Hub Private Limited,
    • Souvenir Tobacco Company Limited,
    • Style Textile (Pvt.) Ltd.,
    • Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd.,
    • Systems Limited,
    • TCS Courier Co.,
    • Tameer Micro Finance Bank Limited,
    • Tandlianwala Sugar Mills Ltd.,
    • Tech Access Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.,
    • The Aga Khan Shia Ismailia Education Society,
    • The Indus Hospital,
    • The News International Lahore,
    • Total Parco Marketing Limited,
    • Microfinance Bank Limited,
    • United Energy Pakistan Limited,
    • United Refrigeration Industries Ltd.,
    • Utility Stores Corp Ltd.,
    • ZIMS Security Pvt. Ltd.

    The Chief Guest Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari also awarded EOBI Pension Books & souvenirs to the following EOBI Pensioners.

    • Ch. Ameer Khan (PTCL),
    • Tanveer Kaukab (Islamabad Serena Hotel),
    • Saleem Raza Shah (Hotel Holiday Inn),
    • Mst. Nomita Ali Tarar (Pensioner’s widow),
    • Khursheed Begum Arain (Pensioner’s widow),
    • Shahid Hameed (PTC),
    • Maqbool-ur-Rehman Khan (SNGPL),
    • Abdul Rasheed (OPF Girls College),
    • Mst. Ghulam Kubra (OGDCL),
    • Javed Masih (Total Service Centre).

    Th 1st Annual Pension Day program was organized by Aqeel Ahmad Siddiqui, Director General (Operations) EOBI and his team comprising Sr. officials of Sindh & Baluchistan, Punjab & Islamabad, KPK & Gilgit Baltistan’s Benefits & Contribution Departments and 39 Regional Offices throughout Pakistan.

  • PM directs eradication of corruption in Utility Stores, ensure availability of essential items at lower prices

    PM directs eradication of corruption in Utility Stores, ensure availability of essential items at lower prices

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed administration of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to ensure eradication of corruption in the organization and ensure availability of essential foods items at subsidized rates following release of Rs6 billion.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday chaired a meeting to reduce prices of essential commodities which will provide immediate relief to the people.

    The Prime Minister directed that the supply of essential items should be ensured through use of Information technology and corruption must be eradicated at all Utility Store outlets.

    The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, SAPM for Social Welfare Dr. Sania Nishtar, Secretaries and Additional Secretaries of Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, Communication, National Food Security and Industry, Chairman and Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and other senior officials.

    The prime minister said that provision of relief to the people is the top priority of the government.

    “We strive to provide special relief to low income groups and poverty-stricken families,” he said.

    The Prime Minister said that in view of the challenging economic situation, the government took difficult decisions.

    Due to these decisions, the economy is stabilizing today and economic indicators are showing improvement; the situation will improve further in the coming days.

    Despite the difficult conditions, every possible effort to provide relief to the people will be undertaken, added the prime minister.

    The meeting was briefed on the current situation of the prices of essential commodities (flour, wheat, sugar, ghee, rice and pulses) and measures to control them.

    Chairman and Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation apprised the meeting that immediate grant of Rs6 billion from the government will reduce the prices of basic essential food items.

    The prime minister was informed that the immediate supply of funds by the government would lead to price reduction of Rs-132 per kg in flour, Rs-09 per kg in sugar, Rs-30 per kg in ghee, Rs-20 per kg in rice and Rs-15 in pulses which would be made available for public consumption at Utility Stores.

    The prime minister was briefed on the steps taken to curb corruption and embezzlement in the Utility Stores, and to ensure the sufficient and steady supply of essential food items to the public.

    The prime minister was informed that it is being ensured that the purchased items at the Utility Stores are received at the Stores’ warehouses without pilferage for packaging and onward dispatch to the Utility Stores outlets.

    The measures are aimed at ensuring the quality of goods at Utility Stores in addition to eradicating corruption.

    Minister of Communications Murad Saeed said that in addition to a network of 4,000 utility stores, 800 post offices spread across the country can also be used to supply essential food items to the public.

    He further elaborated that home delivery service will soon be started by Pakistan Post Office to supply items at home to the poor and the needy.

  • Petrol, high speed diesel prices increased for November

    Petrol, high speed diesel prices increased for November

    ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol and high speed diesel on sales to end consumers.

    The price of motor spirit (petrol) has been increased by Re 1 to Rs114.24 with effective from November 01, 2019 as compared with Rs113.24 applicable during October 2019.

    Similarly prices of high speed diesel increased by 27 paisas to Rs127.41 from Rs127.14.

    However, prices of light diesel oil and kerosene oil have been reduced for the month of November 2019.

    The price of light diesel oil has been reduced by Rs6.56 to Rs85.33 from Rs91.89. Similarly price of kerosene oil has been reduced by Rs2.39 to Rs97.18 from Rs99.57.

    The government has decreased the prices of Kerosene and light diesel oil and slightly readjusted the prices of other petroleum products for the month of November 2019 as per recommendation of the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), says a statement by the Ministry of Finance.