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Category: National

  • GlaxoSmithkline’s drugs seized for illegal price increase

    GlaxoSmithkline’s drugs seized for illegal price increase

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minster Aamer Mehmood Kiani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Asim Rauf visited UDL distribution along with area Federal Inspector of Drugs.

    “Stock of GlaxoSmithkline was seized on unauthorized increase in the price,” said a statement on Thursday.

    In continuation of the crackdown against companies for unauthorized increase in the prices of their medicines, DRAP has been directed to take strict action by Federal Minister of Health.

    Across the country, inspectors of DRAP are involved in active surveillance.

    Various medicines were seized in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Peshawar.

    Stock of overpriced medicine seized in Faisalabad from IBL distribution. Around 39 medicines with unauthorized increase in pricing were seized from various pharmacies in Lahore.

    Karachi’s MM traders raided by Federal Inspector of Drugs. Huge stock of overpriced medicine seized. Action against unauthorized increase in prices of medicines:

    DRAP seized stocks from various medical stores in Peshawar.

    Balouch enterprises raided in Multan: seizure of stock of overpriced medicine.

    Federal Minister said that legal action will be taken against those involved in unauthorized increase in prices of medicine.

    He added that reduction in prices of 395 prices was notified and strict compliance of the companies shall be ensured.

    The crackdown will continue against those companies who are not selling medicine on approved prices.

  • Exxon Mobil to present progress report to PM on offshore drilling near Karachi

    Exxon Mobil to present progress report to PM on offshore drilling near Karachi

    KARACHI: Exxon Mobil, an American multinational oil and gas corporation, will present progress report on offshore drilling near Karachi to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

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  • DRAP warns pharma industry against increasing drug prices

    DRAP warns pharma industry against increasing drug prices

    ISLAMABAD: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has taken notice of unauthorized increase in prices of medicines.

    In this regard the authority issued directives to pharmaceutical industries asking them to ensure maximum retail price (MRP).

    “Your are advised to monitor MRPs in the market and ensure that MRPs of drugs are not higher than the prices notified through SRO 1610(I)/2018 dated December 31, 2018.”

    In case of stocks available in the retail shops or manufactured/imported prior to issuance of this above said SROs must be sold at previous MRPs printed on the label in the manner prescribed by the Drugs (Labeling and Packing) Rules, 1986 and stickers/ cuttings are not allowed.

    The authority said that some complaints had been received that unscrupulous elements in the pharma industry had increased prices of their drugs over and above approved maximum retail prices by the federal government.

    In recent past MRPs of 889 drugs were notified after approval by the federal government through SRO 1610(I)/2018 dated December 31, 2018.

    In addition an increase at 9 percent over and above the notified prices was allowed on January 10, 2019. Besides, another 15 percent increase was allowed on the same date in case of several other drugs.

    The authorities said that in case of non-compliance by pharma industry, legal action would be taken against violators under the Drugs Act, 1976, DRAP Act, 2012 and rules framed three under and SRO 913 dated September 09, 2019.

  • Prime Minister directs to ensure security, commodity availability during Ramzan

    Prime Minister directs to ensure security, commodity availability during Ramzan

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed interior ministry and all provincial governments to ensure security and availability of commodities during the holy month of Ramzan.

    In a letter addressed to Ministry of Interior and Chief Secretaries of all provincial governments including AJ&K and Gilgit Baltistan, the Prime Minister directed that coordination meetings with all provinces should be held to streamline the arrangements including security measures.

    Notification of Price Control Committees, down till field levels in all the provinces and ICT should be issued.

    The PM office has directed that physical presence of officers at Mandis, specially monitoring the auction process in order to keep base prices at minimum level should be ensured during Ramzan.

    It directed the provincial governments that intelligence based action should be taken against black marketing and hoarding.

    The provinces have been asked to issue detailed duty roster in each District covering all important markets, without over stretching the officers.

    To complement effective implementation and monitoring, services of officers of line departments may be incorporated and investment of magisterial power by the concerned law departments, if required.

    The prime minister office advised that performance monitoring of the officers and Districts should be made on KPIs and setting success benchmarks.

    It has further advised that volunteers should be mobilized to get feedback about shortages and overpricing on Citizen Complain Portal.

    The Prime Minister Office has stressed upon the need for holding well managed Sasta Bazars with availability of all essential commodities on control prices.

    Prime Minister has directed that special measures should be taken to control the use of loud speakers during the month of Ramzan.

    District Price Control Committees and Law & Order Committee headed by respective DCs should meet at regular intervals. Prime Minister has emphasized upon the need for ensuring fool-proof security arrangements especially during Traveh.

    The Prime Minister Office has further advised the provincial government that surprise checking by the senior provincial officers in the districts should be ensured.

    The letter calls upon the provincial governments to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, electricity and water especially at the time of Sehri and Iftar.

    It says that provision of subsidized flour, sugar , ghee/oil etc by the provincial governments in model bazar only should also be ensured.

    The Prime Minister has directed Ministry of Interior to hold coordination meeting with all relevant stakeholders as soon as possible and to issue instructions/ make necessary arrangements accordingly.

    It is pertinent to mention the government has already announced Ramazan package at the Utility Stores for providing low priced commodities to masses.

  • Imran Khan welcomes investment from Qatar

    Imran Khan welcomes investment from Qatar

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed investment from Qatar in various sectors of the economy.

    A delegation of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) headed by H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani, Head of Regional Portfolios, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM Office.

    Prime Minister welcomed QIA’s interest in making investments in various sectors of economy.

    The prime minister highlighted various business opportunities in Tourism, Housing and other sectors.

    Imran Khan also highlighted various steps and policy reforms that have been taken by the present government to facilitate investors and the business communities.

    Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani is head of Qatar Investment Department and Head of Qatar Regional Investment Fund at Qatar Investment Authority.

    The Qatari delegation included heads of various organisations in housing, tourism, real estate and energy sectors. Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, Chairman BOI Haroon Sharif were also present during the meeting. The delegation expressed keen interest in investing in housing, energy, tourism and Airport management sectors of Pakistan.

  • Prices of Petrol, HSD increased by Rs6/liter

    Prices of Petrol, HSD increased by Rs6/liter

    ISLAMABAD: The government has increased prices of petroleum products up to Rs6 per liter for the month of April 2019.

    The prices of petrol and diesel have been increased by Rs6 per liter and prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil by Rs3 per liter.

    The price of diesel prices has been inflated from Rs111.43 to Rs117. 43 per litre, petrol from Rs92.89 to 98.89 per litre, LDO from Rs77. 54 to Rs80.54 per litre and kerosene from Rs86. 31 to Rs89.31 per litre.

    Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in its summary had proposed that the price of high speed diesel be increased by Rs11. 17 per litre (10 per cent) and petrol by Rs11.98 per litre (12.8 per cent) for April.

  • Govt. decides to end open sky policy: Fawad

    Govt. decides to end open sky policy: Fawad

    ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to end the open sky policy in order to prevent losses to national flag carrier i.e. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

    Federal Minster for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain at a press conference after the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday said that the government had decided to end the country’s open sky policy which proved to be disastrous for PIA.

    Most of the profitable routes were given to international airlines which led to huge loss for PIA, he said.

    All agreements with international airlines would be reviewed, he added.

    He said that the cabinet approved civil aviation policy to pro-actively promote tourism and give boost to aviation industry in the country.

    The decisions made in the cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    He said traveling to the tourist resorts of Pakistan will be facilitated by reducing travel expenditures.

    Fawad said facilities, including reduction in traveling expenses and cuts in taxes, worth Rs3.8 billion would be offered to promote tourism and aviation sector.

    He said the cabinet also discussed to start helicopter and 40-seat plane service to the tourist sites in the country including Gilgit-Baltistan and Swat.

    The purpose for this initiative, was to provide benefits to local aviation industry,” he said, adding that it was necessary to improve travel facilities to the country’s tourist locations to attract elite tourism.

    The minister announced that passenger airlines in Pakistan will be allowed to import aeroplanes which are 18-years-old compared to the previous limit of 12 years while cargo planes up to 30 years old, could be imported.

    New recommendations with regards to aviation also included charges on flight kitchens being abolished, and a recommendation to reduce taxes on domestic routes, he added.

    The minister also announced a special initiative by CAA of paying up to Rs 400,000 in fees for women to attract them for becoming pilots.

  • Amnesty granted to government employees concealing service in passports

    Amnesty granted to government employees concealing service in passports

    ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved an amnesty for government employees, who concealed their government service in their passports.

    Directorate General, Immigration & Passport (Headquarters) vide its letter No. 15/01/2019-Policy (Vol-III), dated 11-03-2019 has informed that Federal Cabinet vide Cabinet Division’s letter No. 096/CM/2019-D dated February 22, 2019 has approved proposed amnesty for Government Officers/Officials who obtained passports in private capacity being government employee in concealment of government service, as under:-

    i. The government officers/officials, who obtained passport in concealment of profession, are advised to approach Passport Offices concerned, alongwith NOC and recommendations of their respective departments to get their passport data rectified and fresh passport issued, modifying profession as Government Service, within three months of issuance of this letter.

    ii. The Government Officers/Officials who obtained passport before joining the Government service are advised to correct their data by applying a fresh passport and producing NOC from their parent departments, within three months of issuance of this letter.

    iii. In addition to the prescribed passport fee, additional processing charges of Rs5000/- will be levied on defaulting Officers/Officials who obtained passports in private capacity being government servants.

    iv. On expiry of given date/period of three months, the passports of defaulting officers/officials will be cancelled/blocked and legal action under the relevant Section of Passport Act 1974 shall be initiated against them by the departments concerned through FIA under intimation to this Directorate General.

  • If FBR not fixed, new tax authority will be created: PM

    If FBR not fixed, new tax authority will be created: PM

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that reforming Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is priority of the government.

    If the FBR fails to deliver then we will replace with a new tax authority, he said while addressing at the 11th All Pakistan Chambers President Conference.

    He said that the reforms in the taxation system was need of the hour because without it the government would not able to meet its developmental expenditures.

    The prime minister informed the business community that he was regularly discussing with Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood and Finance Minister Asad Umar on ways to boost revenue generation and making the FBR a business-friendly organization.

    “But I should also tell you this: if we realise that the FBR cannot be fixed, we will create a new FBR,” he said.
    Imran Khan said that the economy was facing challenging conditions and revenue generation was a must.

    He also urged the nation to come into the tax net, adding that in return he would guarantee that their tax would not be misspent.

    He assured the nation that each and every penny of Pakistanis’ tax collection will be spent with great caution, he said.
    He said that the government will end all unnecessary expenses. He urged the business community to pursue people that it is impossible for any country to succeed without paying their taxes.

    The prime minister said that it was shocking that only 72,000 taxpayers were declaring Rs200,000 or more monthly income out of 210 million people in Pakistan.

    The prime minister assured the business community that his government will do all he can to facilitate them, indicating that “some more incentives are coming your way in the upcoming days”.

  • SBP directs for opening bank branches on Saturday to receive Hajj applications

    SBP directs for opening bank branches on Saturday to receive Hajj applications

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday directed commercial banks to open branches on March 09 (Saturday) for collection of Hajj forms.

    The SBP said that Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan has extended the date for collection of Hajj applications by designated banks from March 7, 2019 to March 9, 2019.

    Accordingly, the central bank directed banks including National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank, United Bank, MCB Bank, Allied Bank, Bank of Punjab, Bank Alfalah, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Faysal Bank, Askari Bank, Bank Al-Habib, Habib

    Metropolitan Bank, Meezan Bank, and Dubai Islamic Bank to open their designated branches on 9th March, 2019 (Saturday) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the purpose of collecting Hajj applications along with dues from the intending pilgrims of Hajj 2019.