Prime Minister Imran Khan departed for his official visit to the United States on the morning of July 21, 2025, embarking on a three-day trip that will last until July 23. Traveling on a commercial flight, Imran Khan’s visit aims to strengthen the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the US, with key engagements in Washington.
(more…)Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan
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KCCI supports government resolve to tax all taxable incomes
KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has supported efforts of the government to bring all taxable income into tax net.
In a statement issued on Monday President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda said that Karachi Chamber never supported any strikes and will continue to do so in future as well because strikes were neither in favor of the business community nor in favor of the government therefore, they strongly believe in negotiations which was also suggested by Chairman BMG during the abovementioned meeting with PM Imran Khan.
He opined that the government has set an ambitious revenue collection target and we hope that the government could come close to achieving it as the country is in dire need of it.
Junaid Makda stated that the government rightly emphasizes on strictly dealing with tax evaders particularly those who have been living lavish lives, frequently travelling abroad, having huge properties and extravagant vehicles while their kids were also studying in foreign universities but during this course of action no injustice be done to any innocent.
“Our Prime Minister, State Minister, PM’s Advisor, Chairman FBR and other lawmakers have been claiming of possessing details of all such tax evaders and assuring to take strict action but I would like to suggest that the names of such elements who are the actual culprits must be publicized in the media. It is genuinely because of such elements that the loyal taxpayers have to bear the burden of exorbitant taxes which is a sheer injustice and needs special attention,” he added.
While appreciating PM’s remarks pertaining to partnering with the business community in order to resolve issues and ensuring Ease of Doing Business which is the need of the hour, Junaid Makda requested a flexible approach while dealing with loyal taxpayers who hardly receive just 5 percent of facilities as compared to their contribution to the national exchequer.
He further pointed out that hundreds of imported containers remain stuck up at the port either due to anomalies or any other issues emerging after the amendments. Although the Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi has assured to look into this matter but the business community would highly appreciate a more rapid approach with permanent solution to this issue in order to save businessmen from suffering serious losses on account of demurrage and detention charges.
Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Junaid Esmail Makda, welcomed the assurance given by Prime Minister Imran Khan during his last meeting with Karachi’s business community, stated that the Karachi Chamber fully supports the government’s resolve to bring everyone into the tax net as higher number of taxpayers would result in dividing the tax burden and ultimately ensure relief to existing taxpayers who are currently overburdened with exorbitant taxes and duties.
Chairman BMG and President KCCI categorically stated that Karachi Chamber’s membership base comprises of taxpayers only who all have valid NTN numbers. “KCCI firmly believes that everyone should pay taxes and it was a matter of pride for us that we represent a city that contributes a mammoth amount of more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer in shape of taxes, duties and other levies”, they said, adding that everyone should be taxed and no tax exemptions should be granted to favorites as it is the prime responsibility of every citizen to contribute towards the progress and prosperity of Pakistan by paying all the applicable taxes.
The KCCI leadership further urged the FBR to post the city-wise taxation details and relevant statistical data on its website so that actual position could be brought into the limelight and other cities, which were contributing less taxes, must also be taken to task.
Chairman BMG Siraj Kassam Teli commented that the government has devised numerous laws and amendments with a sincere intent to enhance tax collection but we fear that most of these laws and amendments which have enhanced discretionary powers to FBR officials even at lower level would only be used to harass the taxpayers in order to seek personal benefits and gratifications.
“The government is serious towards improving the tax collection which we highly appreciate but the recently introduced laws and amendments need some review and scrutiny by independent individuals. These laws should be devised and implemented in such a manner that they don’t pave way for corruption but actually enhance the revenue”, he added.
He was of the opinion that in order to achieve the desired results in terms of revenue collection, the government has simultaneously opened many fronts which have terribly disturbed the entire business cycle and it was the basic reason behind why they (the government) have been facing agitations and resistance.
“It is requested to compare all the segments where taxes have been imposed verses the revenue expected and decide whether it is worth to take on that particular segment immediately or leave it for a while. We are not asking to leave anybody out of the net but wherever the implementation is not immediately possible it’s better to give some time and let the country move forward, he added.
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No compromise on documentation; PM refuses to withdraw CNIC condition
KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday showed firm resolve to document the economy and flatly refused demands of business community to withdraw condition of CNIC on sales above Rs50,000.
Representatives of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) met the prime minister at the Governor House. The entire prime minister’s team of finance and commerce was also present at the meeting.
The business community urged the prime minister to withdraw the condition of CNIC at the time of sales, which was introduced through Finance Act, 2019.
Sources said that the Prime Minister had refused the demand and told the business community that the businesses had to be documented. The prime minister said requirement of CNIC / information on above Rs50,000 sales was quite justified.
The prime minister said that he wanted to see Pakistan grow on Turkish model. He further said that the government wanted to take along the business community on journey to growth.
Prime Minister Imran Khan told the business community that he had arrived Karachi to resolve problems of trade and industry. He said that the government wanted to ease in doing business.
Our priority to eradicate poverty and accelerate economic growth, he added.
After the meeting business community has expressed disappointment.
Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, senior FPCCI leader, while talking to media said that the apex body had presented all the problems at the meeting that are hampering the economic growth.
The prime minister has been informed about protests by small associations. He said that the FPCCI had urged the prime minister to restore zero rated for export sector.
He said that the interest rate by State Bank was on the rise and it would make difficult for industry to continue the production activities. On the other hand the FBR had also not withdrawn several levies on the export sector.
The prime minister has been informed that reforms should bring in phases.
Another meeting was held with export sector in which the prime minister listened to their problems. However, the export sector was also not happy to resolve their issues at the meeting.
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Prime Minister launches campaign to control price hike
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday took serious notice of abnormal price hike and launched a special campaign to control increase in prices of essential items.
A press release said that effective implementation of local and special laws concerning efficient service delivery and relief to the general public is one of the prime responsibilities of field administration.
Lack of coordination among various stakeholders, poor understanding/implementation and indifferent attitude has established redundancy of these laws, thus increasing sufferings of general public.
The Prime Minister, while taking serious notice of current disproportionate price hike and ineffectiveness of the systems to control the same, has been pleased to desire a special campaign to control price hike may be launched which shall include:
i. A strategy shall be devised by all concerned stakeholders to implement price control laws effectively from the wholesale markets to retail shops;
ii. Prime and Market Control Committees shall be made more effective and should take stern actions against the perpetrators under law;
iii. Field Officers shall frequently visit the wholesale markets and be present at the time of auctions to determine realistic rates;
iv. All the Provincial Secretaries shall frequently have a surprise check in the districts;
v. Special Branch shall report daily the implementation of directives to the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister concerned;
vi. Mechanism be developed to check unscrupulous elements which charge un-proportionate prices without sufficient cause;
vii. Strict action shall be taken against hoarding;
viii. Price Control Committees shall notify the rates of essential commodities regularly and the same shall be implemented effectively, and
ix. A performance evaluation mechanism, with reward and punishment be developed to ensure success of this campaign.
Action taken on the above directions shall be intimated to this office within seven (07) days for perusal of the Prime Minister.
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Commission constituted: Forensic audit to be conducted to probe Rs24,156 billion debt
ISLAMABAD: On the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Cabinet Division on Friday constituted a commission to probe significant accumulation of debt by Rs24,156 during 10 years. The commission will conduct forensic and special audit to investigate the matter.
Hussain Asghar has been nominated as chairman of the commission. The commission will conclude its findings and give final report in six months.
The Commission shall comprise the following:-
i. Hussain Asghar (Retired PSP BS-22 Officer, currently serving as Deputy Chairman, National Accountability Bureau: Chairman
ii. Representative of the NAB: Member
iii. Representative of the FIA: Member.
iv. Representative of the Intelligence Bureau: Member.
v. Representative of the ISI: Member.
vi. Representative of the SBP: Member.
vii. Representative of the SECP: Member.
viii. Representative of the FBR.
ix. Representative of the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue: Member.
x. Representative of Military Intelligence: Member.
xi. Special Secretary, Finance Division: Member/Secretary.
The commission shall be further empowered to co-opt/ engage any person from the public or private sector, locally or abroad as a member, consultant or adviser for the assistance of the commission.
The Terms of Reference of the Commission of Inquiry shall be as per following:-
a. Determination of signification of major infrastructure of public sector development works conducted from the years 2008 to 2018, and commensurate them with the increase in public debt from Rs.6,690 billion in 2008 to Rs.30,846 billion till September, 2018.
b. To inquire/investigate about the award or implementation of any contact/agreement or project and whether any debt was taken for a particular project/undertaking and the same was then spent/expended on the corresponding project/undertaking, or, otherwise?
c. Whether the terms and conditions of any public contract were tainted or benevolent or artificially inflated to facilitate any kickbacks? If so, in whose favour?
d. Whether any holders of public office or their spouses, children and any persons connected to them expended any public funds so as to meet personal or private expenditures, beyond what has been permitted under the law and rules?
e. Whether the cap prescribed under the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, 2005 (hereafter: “the 2005 Act”) has been busted? If so, the reasons and justifications thereof?
f. Whether the amendments, if any, in the 2005 Act were in keeping with the spirit of Article 166 of the Constitution, or, otherwise?
g. Forensic and special audits be conducted through any reputed international or local auditor or set of auditors in order to determine the real nature, scope, volume, cost and trail of the investments or expenditures of the Federal Government (or any part thereof) from February 2008 to September 2018.
h. To fix responsibility in respect of the above, and to refer any irregularity or illegality found for investigation and prosecution to relevant agency/department.
An appropriate budget shall be sanctioned, which the Commission shall be entitled to utilize and spend in its discretion so as to meet the expenditure of the Commission, said a notification.
The Commission shall give its final report within 6 months of its formation, with periodical interim reports on monthly basis.
The time limit mentioned above may, however, be extended with the prior approval of the Prime Minister.
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Prime Minister assures business community of considering sales tax zero rating
KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured business community of considering restoration of sales tax zero rating for export sector.
A delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Islamabad to discuss anomalies in the Finance Bill 2019.
On FPCCI demand of restoration of SRO 1125(I)/2011 allowing five export oriented export sectors at zero rate, the prime minister assured to consider it sympathetically, said a statement issued by the FPCCI.
The FPCCI delegation was led by S.M. Muneer, leader of the business community and Former Chief Executive TDAP and Former President, FPCCI and consisting of Aqil Karim Dhedi; Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President, FPCCI and Zubair F. Tufail, Convener of the FPCCI Budget Advisory Council – held a detailed meeting with the Prime Minister Imran Khan and Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the PM on Finance which lasted for 2 hours and discussed / briefed them about the hardships of the business community emanated from some harsh measures of the Finance Bill, 2019 that would give serious blow to trade and industry, especially export sector in the wake of exorbitant policy rate of 12.25 percent coupled with the massive devaluation of Pak-Rupee versus dollar in the last few months withdrawal of zero rated regime from export industrial sectors etc.
The FPCCI delegation particularly emphasized and discussed ten major demands out of which eight proposals have been accepted by the Prime Minister, the major one such as doing away with raid on any premises; reduction in tax rates for service sector; routing taxation and business related policy through Federal Government/Cabinet instead of FBR, as directed by the Supreme Court; lack of personal interaction and minimal possibility of abuse of discretionary powers by the tax officials; conduction of audit once in a three years etc.
Moreover the issues of retailers, wholesalers and real estates were also discussed in details.
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Prime Minister constitutes commission to probe Rs24 trillion borrowing in ten years
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday constituted a commission to probe the unprecedented borrowing of Rs 24 trillion during past ten years and to set an example for those who looted the country.
In a nationwide televised address, hours after the announcement of the national budget Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Pakistan today was economically stable … I will now go after all of them [the leaders of PPP and PML-N] and take them to task for ruthlessly plundering the national wealth.”
“I will make them answerable. I will investigate, and I will not spare them even if it is a threat to my life,” Imran said, after the national budget in which the government withdrew subsidies on many sectors and taxed almost all the sectors.
The commission will comprise of officials from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), ISI, Federal Board of Revenue and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SEC).
The prime minister said that his PTI led government had present maiden budget and it would reflect the manifesto of the party.
Talking about the latest arrests of political leaders, he said that no one ever think about these stalwarts behind the bars.
He said that today the judiciary and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) are independent. He said that cases against PML-N leaders were not instituted by his government. “Yet they blame me for their arrests,” he added.
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Proposals for budget 2019/2020 finalized; salary persons may get increase; rise in additional customs duty likely
ISLAMABAD: The ministry of finance has finalized proposals for budget 2019/2020 and will get approval from the Cabinet before presenting in the Parliament on June 11, 2019.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair the cabinet meeting on Monday in which the budget with record deficit will be approved.
The sources said that the cabinet would approve budget with estimated Rs3,000 billion deficit.
According to the proposals, the budget allocation for the defence would be around Rs1,250 billion, which will less than the allocation for the outgoing fiscal year.
An amount of Rs2,500 billion has been proposed for the payment of interest on the loan, the sources said.
The government may allocate Rs925 billion for the federal development expenditures.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) may be assigned Rs5,500 billion as tax target for the fiscal year 2019/2020. While, the estimated earning from non-tax revenue may be at Rs1,250 billion.
The tax proposals would include:
Sales tax on sugar would be increased from 17 percent from existing 8 percent.
Income tax has been proposed on the earning of middle-man.
Increase in duty and taxes has been proposed poultry, electron and several other items.
Increase in additional customs duty is recommended from 2 percent to 3 percent.
Abolishing zero rating for five export sectors is also part of proposals. It is worth mentioning that the prime minister has already announced to abolishing subsidy to zero-rated sector.
The government likely introduce soft loan program for youth. An amount of Rs5 billion would be allocated for establishing agriculture institute.
Decrease in fertilizers prices would be recommended.
The government employees and pensioners may get increase of 10-15 percent. The proposal of increasing pay and pension would get approval at the cabinet meeting.
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New petroleum policy to offer incentives to foreign E&P companies: Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government is working on a new petroleum policy, which will offer incentives to foreign exploration and production (E&P) companies.
The prime minister said this at a meeting with Chief Executive Officer Kuwait Petroleum Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, along with his delegation, which called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.
The prime minister said that in order to capitalize the existing potential of the sector, the fovernment was working on a new petroleum policy offering incentives to foreign exploration and production (E&P) companies and removing impediments in way to undertaking smooth and profitable business ventures.
Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Minister Energy Punjab Dr. M. Akhtar Malik, Secretary Petroleum Mian Asad Hayauddin and senior officers were also present during the meeting.
Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah briefed the Prime Minister about Kuwait Petroleum’s business ventures in Pakistan since 1980s in the area of exploration.
He evinced keen interest in further expanding business activities in the country.
The prime minister welcomed Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah and his delegation to Pakistan and assured Government’s continued support to the company in their smooth business operations.
The prime minister highlighted various steps that the present Government has taken for improving ease of doing business and facilitation of foreign investment.
The prime minister observed that exploration remained a neglected area in past.
Imran Khan appreciated company’s contribution towards imparting training to the local manpower in E&P sector.
Minister Energy Punjab Dr. M. Akhtar Malik also briefed the meeting about various initiatives being taken by Punjab Government in Petroleum sector.
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FPCCI deplores ignoring national chamber at China visit
KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has strongly criticized the ministry of commerce for ignoring the apex trade body at the recent important visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China.
President FPCCI Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai regretted that the ministry of commerce specially the Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce for not helping the Prime Minister and wasting all his efforts due to their attitude and disconnect with the business community.
In a statement on Tuesday, he cited an example that during the recent important visit of the Prime Minister to China, MOC arranged Pakistan business forum and B2B meetings between Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.
“It was surprising that Pakistan Business Council (PBC) represented the business community of Pakistan at this important forum.”
PBC is a non-elected body of few elite businessmen originally formed under the patronage of present Advisor to PM on Commerce and Industry.
PBC Irrespective of its Professional merits or demerits, it cannot be a substitute to the democratically elected representatives of business community FPCCI, the national chamber of the country, but somehow the unjustified patronage of Advisor to PM has given it a more prominent role in shaping the trade and economic policies, whereas genuine stakeholders have been sidelined.
This has resulted in deterioration of Business confidence as the policies are formulated more on intellectual ideas of few instead of input of ground realities based on input from the real stakeholders. Such policies would not help the Government to come out of its present crisis.
The FPCCI president praised the recent achievements of the Prime Minister during his visit to China. The Signing of FTA-II and ML-1 projects will go a long way in bringing up Country’s economy.
He said that the vision and hard work of PM is unprecedented in the history of the Country. His five points agenda of at OBR forum of mitigating climate change, establishing a BRI tourism corridor for promoting people-to-people contacts inter-cultural understanding, anti-corruption cooperation, poverty alleviation fund, and further liberalizing trade and investment flows by encouraging private sector and businesses is revolutionary ideas and were appreciated at all levels.
Unfortunately he has inherited an economy, which is very difficult to manage, and he faces gigantic task to stabilize this. The business community has always resolved support for the Prime Minister in his efforts.
It is worth mentioning that while Country’s own Ministry of Commerce ignored FPCCI, the apex trade body of the Country while the Councils of Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) of Chongqing, Tianjin and Xin Jiang Provinces met the President of FPCCI and immediately signed MoUs with him during the Belt and Road Forum at Beijing thus recognizing the importance of the elected representative of the business community.
President FPCCI has urged the Prime Minister that his hard work and vision will only yield fruitful results, when his team will take the entire business community into confidence instead of patronizing few.
He requested the prime minister to direct all concerned trade, investment, economic Ministries and departments to engage the elected bodies of Business community specially FPCCI for their input on all economic issues and give weightage to their nominations for advisory and consultative bodies, trade delegations and important forums abroad.