Alumni donate Rs2m for school development
Alumni of government schools in Dunyapur have donated Rs2 million, pledged to construct additional classrooms, and announced scholarships for orphan students.
The contributions also include the installation of a water filtration plant and the provision of 1,000 school uniforms.
Lodhran DC Dr Lubna Nazir laid the foundation stone for three new classrooms and an office at Government Elementary School 364WB and Government Elementary School 344 during her visit.
She also inaugurated the installation of solar systems in various educational institutions, aiming to enhance the learning environment for students.
Dr Nazir praised Commissioner Multan, Aamir Kareem, for initiating a campaign that engaged alumni now holding prestigious positions to support their former schools.
She lauded the donations as a form of Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity) and emphasised the vital role of community involvement in strengthening the education sector.
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Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
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In a surprising development, the government on Monday reported that the cost of tax exemptions has surged to a record Rs5.8 trillion in the current fiscal yeara surge of nearly Rs2 trillion in the first year of the present government, despite the withdrawal of many tax exemptions. In dollar terms, the cost of tax losses was $21 billionsubstantially higher than the $17 billion Pakistan is required to repay this year against its maturing commercial and bilateral external debt owed to China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025, unveiled by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday, revealed that despite multiple rounds of withdrawing tax concessions and exemptions, the amount has continued to rise annually. These exemptions, approved over the years, are protected under three distinct tax laws. The survey showed that compared to the previous fiscal year's Rs3.9 trillion tax expenditure, the figure has jumped to Rs5.84 trillion this yearreflecting an increase of Rs1.96 trillion or 51%, despite the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government removing several exemptions in its last budget. The reported Rs5.8 trillion in "tax expenditures for 2025" casts doubt on the credibility of previously published losses. Tax expenditure has continued to grow steadily despite efforts by successive governments to scale back or eliminate tax exemptions each year. This indicates either the introduction of numerous hidden tax exemptions during the fiscal year or that the prior year's figures were understated. There has been no extraordinary increase in economic activity to justify such a sharp spike in tax exemption costs. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb did not respond when asked about the reasons behind this sudden and substantial increase to Rs5.8 trillion in tax losses. 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Sales tax exemptions granted under the Sixth Schedule cost Rs986 billion this year, up from Rs676 billion last year. These include Rs613 billion on local supplies and Rs373 billion on imports. The loss from local supplies rose by one-third despite the government imposing an 18% sales tax on various goods, including packaged milk, in the last budget. Exemptions provided under the Eighth Schedulewhich permits lower-than-standard 18% sales tax ratescost the government Rs618 billion, an increase of Rs259 billion or 75% over the previous year. The IMF is now asking that these reduced rates be raised to standard levels, or in cases where the rate is 5%, doubled to 10%. Sales tax exemptions on mobile phone sales cost Rs88 billionan increase of 166%. Exemptions from additional sales tax accounted for another Rs49 billion in losses. Income tax Income tax exemptions totalled Rs801 billion in the outgoing fiscal year, up 68% from Rs477 billion last year, according to the FBR's estimates. 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Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Advisor highlights agri output decline
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Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- Business Recorder
27-year prison sentence: PTI MNA Latif claims ruling as bogus terrorism conviction
ISLAMABAD: The firebrand Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA from Chitral Abdul Latif, who was handed down a 27-year prison sentence on Friday, claimed he was given a bogus terrorism conviction after refusing a jaw-dropping Rs2 billion bribe to back the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment. A diehard loyalist of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Latif slammed the ruling as revenge by what he called the 'installed regime of Form 47 and its handlers, who are pulling the strings of the puppet Shehbaz Sharif regime.' An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad convicted Latif over his alleged role in the chaotic May 9 riots – when PTI supporters allegedly stormed police stations and government buildings. But Latif insisted the charges were bogus, calling it a false flag set up by the powers that be. Latifinsisted that he didnot even know the police station he is accused of attacking existed. 'I hadn't even heard of the Ramna Police Station until I was falsely accused,' Latif said in a defiant video message following the ATC verdict. 'Just because I support Imran Khan, they threw me into this mess.' The court's decision came down hard – 27 years for allegedly leading the charge on the Ramna PS during the nationwide unrest. But Latif, unbowed, said the real crime was his refusal to accept a massive payoff to support the controversial 26th Amendment – a move that he insisted would have betrayed his party and Khan's ideology. 'There is also a court of Allah, where no police, no pressure works,' he said, taking a fiery swipe at the lower judiciary. 'Justice will ultimately be served.' Latif remained hopeful that the higher judiciary of the country will toss out what he called a 'politically motivated and unjust' ruling. He insisted he would never sell out, no matter the price – or the prison sentence. 'No conviction, no bribe can shake my conscience,' he declared. 'I've stood by Imran Khan for 28 years – and I'm not backing down now nor will I ever in future.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
