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Tag: PM Flood Relief Fund

  • Complaints against banks for refusing flood donations

    Complaints against banks for refusing flood donations

    KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday said that it has been noticed that a few complaints have been circulating on social media platforms regarding non-acceptance of donations from general public in “CM Flood Relief Fund” of KP and Punjab.

    In this context, upon enquiry of SBP, concerned banks have informed that such complaints are baseless as they are accepting donations in the “CM Flood Relief Fund” through all possible channels (including over the counter (OTC) cash transactions, online transfers and both international and local credit card transfers).

    The relevant banks have also confirmed that transactions are taking place in these accounts on daily basis.

    The banks have also assured that they are making all possible efforts to play their role in the noble cause of helping people affected due to floods.

    The donors facing any problem may please lodge their complaints with the relevant banks or approach State Bank of Pakistan at [email protected]

  • FBR announces tax exemptions for flood relief operation

    FBR announces tax exemptions for flood relief operation

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday announced major tax exemptions for flood relief operation.

    The FBR issued SRO 1634(I)/2022 dated August 30, 2022 to allow the tax exemption.

    In order to enable the exemption, the FBR amended Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. It is pertinent to mention that tax is levied on imported goods under Section 148 of the Ordinance.

    According to the amendment: “(123) The provision of Section 148 shall for a period of ninety days not apply to goods required and imported for relief operation for flood affectees, duly certified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) or the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).”

    The FBR issued another SRO 1635(I)/2022 dated August 30, 2022 to allow exemption from sales tax on goods imported for flood relief operation.

    Sales tax exemption has been granted with effect from August 24, 2022 subject to the conditions and restrictions.

    According to the FBR, import of all goods received, in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophe, as gift and relief consignments or any goods received as gift or donation from a foreign government or organization by the federal or provincial governments or any public sector organization.

    However, this exemption is subject to the same conditions as are envisaged for the purpose of apply zero-rate of customs duty under the Customs Act, 1969.

    Through SRO 1636(I)/2022 dated August 30, 2022, which stated that the federal government has exempted for a period of ninety days the import and supply of the goods as certified by the NDMA or PDMA for relief operation for flood affectees, from the whole of the sales tax.

    Similarly, SRO 1637(I)/2022 dated August 30, 2022 has been issued to exempt federal excise duty leviable on the goods as ceritifed by NDMA or PDMA for relief operation for flood affectees.

  • US provides Rs6.65 billion for Pakistan flood relief

    US provides Rs6.65 billion for Pakistan flood relief

    ISLAMABAD: The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Tuesday announced an additional $30 million (Rs6.65 billion) in life-saving humanitarian assistance to support people and communities affected by severe flooding in Pakistan.

    Pakistan’s government has declared the floods a national emergency, with 66 districts declared to be “calamity hit.”

    The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life, livelihoods, and homes throughout Pakistan.  In response to the Pakistani government’s request for assistance, the United States will prioritize urgently needed food support, safe water, sanitation and hygiene improvements, financial help, and shelter assistance.

    This support will save lives and reduce suffering among the most vulnerable affected communities.  The United States will continue to monitor the crisis in close coordination with local partners and Pakistani authorities.

    A USAID disaster management specialist arrived in Pakistan August 29 to assess the impact of the floods and intensify coordination with partners on response efforts.

    The United States remains steadfast in its support for affected communities throughout Pakistan.

    In addition to the $30 million in urgently needed humanitarian assistance announced today, the United States also provided over $1.1 million in grants and project support earlier this month to ensure direct assistance reaches those communities most impacted and to help mitigate and prevent the effects of future floods.

  • Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    ISLAMABAD: The flash floods in Pakistan may create a situation of food security in coming days as rice, banana, onion and other agriculture produces have been badly affected.

    Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Monday said that the recent floods and torrential rains have also damaged 40-50 percent cotton crop across the country.

    He said Pakistan is witnessing more devastation than that caused by the flood in 2010.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    The minister informed that 0.9 million livestock and one million houses have been washed away in the recent floods while over 1000 people lost their lives.

    The Minister made these remarks while speaking at the event titled, “an overview and findings of the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) – Waseel-e-Khurak, pilot project” that was organized by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) in collaboration with Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives.

    In 2013, he said when the PML-N government took the charge, the country had already faced devastated floods in 2010 and it launched the fourth phase of Pakistan flood protection programme to minimize the impacts of such floods.

    “In May 2017, we got approved the Programme from Council of Common Interest duly signed by all the provinces and it was agreed that new infrastructure would be built under the programme”, he added.

    He said it was also agreed that Rs 177 billion would be spent under the Programme and the provinces would contribute half of the amount.

    READ MORE: Flash floods affect internet services in Pakistan

    However, he said despite completing the final roadmap to spend Rs 177 billion under the programme, the next PTI government dumped this programme in the cold storage and not a single rupee was spent on this programme.

    Had we spent Rs 177 billion under the programme, the loss would be far less than what we are facing now, he added.
    Ahsan Iqbal said a big challenge is ahead as the 30 million people have been affected and the government have to help them standing on their feet.

    He expressed his resolve that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government would complete the rehabilitation process of the flood hit areas.

  • PM Shehbaz announces Rs10 bn grant for Balochistan victims

    PM Shehbaz announces Rs10 bn grant for Balochistan victims

    JAFFARABAD: The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Sunday announced a grant of Rs10 billion for the people of Balochistan province to cope with the situation and assist the flood victims.

    During his visit to flood affected areas including Haji Allah Dino village, the prime minister said that he had never witnessed in his lifetime such massive destruction wrecked by unprecedented floods and rainfalls across the country.

    READ MORE: Pakistan fixes amount of diyat for 2022/2023

    He said the impacts of natural calamities could not be overcome with mere raising of slogans, making of statements and hurling of allegations.

    The prime minister stressed that they would have to work hard, and shed sweat and blood to overcome the flood situation in the country, adding that different countries had devised technical mechanisms by making investments to overcome the natural catastrophes.

    Shehbaz regretted that false statements by certain political figures could not mislead the nation. “I will speak the truth. For the last 73 years, Pakistan could not stand on its feet,” he regretted.

    The prime minister also expressed gratitude to the Presidents of the United Arab Emirates and Turkey for expressing their grief over loss of lives in Pakistan and their concerns over the distressed Pakistanis who were facing ordeals due to floods.

    READ MORE: Cellular mobile operators provide free calls in Pakistan

    He said that they were thankful to the friendly countries who were extending flood relief and assistance to the flood victims, adding two planeloads of relief assistance from Turkey would land in Karachi while another from the UAE would arrive Islamabad.

    “We are grateful to the friendly countries for their support and solidarity. The UK government and other countries have announced their support in this hour of distress for which we express our thankfulness,” he added.

    The prime minister also appealed to the wealthy people of the country to support the millions affected people with their generous donations who had been in dire need of immediate relief and assistance.

    He said in the past, the people had supported the calamity hit populace, adding that they were receiving donations in the PM Relief Fund, and cited a donation of worth Rs45 million by a group while another significant contribution by an individual.

    Acting Governor Balochistan Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Aqeeli, NDMA and PDMA authorities were also accompanied the prime minister.

    The prime minister said during his aerial view, he had witnessed huge chunks of land inundated by the flood water including Kachi, and Sobatpur, and likened the situation to an overflowing ocean. Flood water had submerged Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Ghotki areas. 

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    He said during 2010, Pakistan faced a huge deluge, but it was restricted to Sindh river, but the recent devastation had been widespread, Sindh and Balochistan provinces were badly battered.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the heavy downpours had led to swollen rivers and water channels in Swat and Kalam, sweeping away hotels and homes within the winks of eyes, he said, adding hundreds of people lost their lives, crops were damaged while the stagnant water would create problems.

    “In my political and personal life, I had never witnessed such widespread destruction caused by floods, as scores of villages were effaced, hundreds of lives were lost and millions of homes swept away,” he expressed his grief.

    The prime minister said the federal government was providing Rs25,000 to each flood affected family out of allocated grant of Rs38 billion through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), so that the deserving were not deprived of the assistance package.

    In Sindh, he said, he had already announced a grant of Rs15 billion. The provincial chief ministers and their teams in assistance with the relevant departments had been making untiring efforts day and night, the prime minister said.

    The prime minister also appreciated Balochistan chief minister and his team for the rescue and relief activities as the camps for the affectees were set up and their needs had been catered to.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    He stressed upon making of safe drinking water arrangements and informed that he had already directed the federal minister of energy to supervise restoration of suspended power supply in the affected areas.

    The prime minister said about 50,000 stranded people, trapped in floods, had been rescued through the assistance provided by the Pakistan army and Navy helicopters.

    He further informed that on Monday, they would be holding a meeting in Islamabad to review the situation and take further decisions.

    Earlier, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing by Balochistan chief secretary who apprised that 20 districts in the provinces were badly affected including Killa Saifullah and Killa Abdullah and about 1.3 million population braced the wort situation.

    He said a total of 65,000 houses were completed destroyed whereas Quetta-Sukkkur road link had been cut off due to collapse of bridges. A total of 25 small dams in the province were breached and 78 others had developed cracks.

    A total of 450 solar tube wells were damaged while millions of acres of agriculture land had been affected. Cash assistance through BISP was generated besides, arrangements were made to provide food stuff to more than 1 million people, it was added.

    The prime minister also met and interacted with the flood victims.

  • SBP issues instructions to banks for flood relief donation awareness

    SBP issues instructions to banks for flood relief donation awareness

    KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday issued instructions to banks for raising awareness among the potential donors for contributing in flood relief fund.

    The central bank said that with a view to raise awareness among the potential donors and facilitate them in contributing to the PM’s Flood Relief Fund 2022, banks are advised to undertake following measures on immediate priority and submit compliance by August 30, 2022:

    READ MORE: Pakistan current account deficit widens by 42% in July 2022

    a) Banks shall prominently display banners at all their branches bearing the description “DONATIONS TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S (PM) FLOOD RELIEF FUND ARE ACCEPTED HERE”.

    b) Banks shall highlight the IBAN of the Fund at their websites and ATMs screens enabling their clients to donate to the fund digitally.

    c) Banks shall also send SMS alerts to all their clients informing them about the establishment of the Prime Minister Flood Relief Fund and its IBAN.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s FY22 current account deficit widens to $17.41 bn

    d) To facilitate the walk-in customers in making cash deposits in the fund “pre-printed deposit slips” shall be available at the banks’ counters.

    e) The banks offering Roshan Digital Account (RDA) shall make the “PM Flood Relief Fund” available on their Roshan Samaji Khidmat page/portal enabling RDA holders to contribute to the Fund in hassle free manner. The donations received through RDA shall be transmitted to SBP along with donations received through other sources on daily-basis through RTGS as advised earlier.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s CAD balloons to $15.19 billion in 11 months

    The Banks are also encouraged to advertise the PM Flood Relief Fund through their social media pages including their webpages, Facebook pages, twitter accounts etc. to create maximum awareness about the fund and the mechanism to make the donations in the fund.

    The banks shall ensure that their branch staff has full awareness and understanding of establishment of the fund and the mechanism to collect the donations in the fund account.

    READ MORE: Current account deficit swells to $13.78 bn in 10 months

  • Tax exemption granted to donations for PM flood relief fund

    Tax exemption granted to donations for PM flood relief fund

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday granted tax exemptions to donations made for Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued SRO 1590(I)/2022 dated August 23, 2022 to exempts deduction of tax under various provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    According to the SRO an amendment has been made into Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 that any income derived from The Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, 2022 has been exempted from income tax with effect on and from August 5, 2022.

    Furthermore, an amendment has been made to Part IV of the Second Schedule under which minimum tax under Section 113 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 shall not apply to the flood relief fund.

    In the same part of the schedule a new clause 120 has been inserted under which Section 151 related to profit from debt shall not apply to the relief fund with effect on and from August 5, 2022.

    It further said that the provisions of Section 236 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 shall not apply on the amount donated through SMS to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, 2022 with effect on and from August 5, 2022.

    The FBR issued another SRO 1589(I)/2022 dated August 23, 2022, under which the federal government exempted the federal excise duty leviable on any donation received in Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, 2022. “The notification shall take effect on and from August 5, 2022,” the FBR added.

    The Finance Division on August 5, 2022 issued a notification to establish Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022.

    According to the notification: “It has been decided to establish / open with immediate effect a Fund to be known as ‘Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022’ for collective national effort to meet the challenge of providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected population due to excessive rains and floods across the country.

    It said that all proceeds and payments for the fund will be received at all branches of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), all treasuries and branches of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and all other scheduled banks.

    The fund may receive donations from both domestic, international donors and contributions from abroad which will be received at all the branches of above referred banks where such branches are existing. In other foreign countries contributions will be received at Pakistan missions and remitted to the State Bank of Pakistan which would prescribe necessary procedure for their accounting.