RCB protests PERA's 'interference'
In the letter, Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi expressed serious concerns over PERA and the Health Department's uncoordinated operations against dengue and encroachments, stating that such actions are being carried out without prior intimation.
He said these operations amount to interference in the legal jurisdiction of the cantonment board.
The letter asserted that the removal of signboards and banners falls solely under the authority of the cantonment board. Actions by PERA and other departments without permission are damaging inter-institutional coordination.
According to the letter, operations by PERA within cantonment boundaries are deemed illegal and promote institutional conflict rather than serving the public interest.
It further stated that dengue control activities were also initiated without any coordination with the Cantonment Board.
Cheque bounced
Separately, a cheque worth Rs165 million issued by the contractor of the Bhatta Ground cattle market to the federal government in lieu of income tax has bounced, prompting the RCB to refer the case to the Cantonment Magistrate for recovery.
According to sources, the RCB had awarded the cattle market contract for Eidul Azha 2025 to Muin & Co for Rs1.657 billion through open auction. The contractor paid the full contract amount to the board before Eid. However, under the contract, the contractor was also required to pay Rs165 million in income tax directly to the federal government.
The contractor issued a cheque for the said amount to the Federal Board of Revenue's Income Tax Department, but it bounced upon deposit.
As a result, the RCB has now referred the recovery case to the cantonment magistrate, who has issued a notice to the contractor and initiated proceedings.
Under the cantonment board laws, any contractor found in default can be blacklisted.
Service tax
On the other hand, the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has demanded a five per cent service tax on parking contracts awarded by the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), which has in turn issued notices to contractors instructing them to pay the tax or face action.
According to sources, the municipal corporation recently awarded an 11-month car parking contract for the Commercial Market for Rs8.3 million, which is expected to be revised to Rs15 million.
In line with this, parking fees will also be increased.
Another contract for parking on College Road, Imperial Market, Liaquat Road, and outside the Municipal Office was awarded for Rs11.3 million. However, due to heavy traffic at Fawara Chowk, the Imperial Market parking site will be excluded from the contract, and the remaining contract will be revised.
Car parking fees will be increased from Rs30 to Rs50, while motorcycle parking fees will rise from Rs10 to Rs20.
The PRA has now issued a letter instructing the Municipal Corporation to deduct a 5 per cent service tax from the awarded contract amounts and deposit it with the authority.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
RCB protests PERA's 'interference'
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has written a letter to the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, terming the operations conducted by the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (PERA) related to encroachments, food, and health within cantonment limits as interference in cantonment affairs. In the letter, Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi expressed serious concerns over PERA and the Health Department's uncoordinated operations against dengue and encroachments, stating that such actions are being carried out without prior intimation. He said these operations amount to interference in the legal jurisdiction of the cantonment board. The letter asserted that the removal of signboards and banners falls solely under the authority of the cantonment board. Actions by PERA and other departments without permission are damaging inter-institutional coordination. According to the letter, operations by PERA within cantonment boundaries are deemed illegal and promote institutional conflict rather than serving the public interest. It further stated that dengue control activities were also initiated without any coordination with the Cantonment Board. Cheque bounced Separately, a cheque worth Rs165 million issued by the contractor of the Bhatta Ground cattle market to the federal government in lieu of income tax has bounced, prompting the RCB to refer the case to the Cantonment Magistrate for recovery. According to sources, the RCB had awarded the cattle market contract for Eidul Azha 2025 to Muin & Co for Rs1.657 billion through open auction. The contractor paid the full contract amount to the board before Eid. However, under the contract, the contractor was also required to pay Rs165 million in income tax directly to the federal government. The contractor issued a cheque for the said amount to the Federal Board of Revenue's Income Tax Department, but it bounced upon deposit. As a result, the RCB has now referred the recovery case to the cantonment magistrate, who has issued a notice to the contractor and initiated proceedings. Under the cantonment board laws, any contractor found in default can be blacklisted. Service tax On the other hand, the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has demanded a five per cent service tax on parking contracts awarded by the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), which has in turn issued notices to contractors instructing them to pay the tax or face action. According to sources, the municipal corporation recently awarded an 11-month car parking contract for the Commercial Market for Rs8.3 million, which is expected to be revised to Rs15 million. In line with this, parking fees will also be increased. Another contract for parking on College Road, Imperial Market, Liaquat Road, and outside the Municipal Office was awarded for Rs11.3 million. However, due to heavy traffic at Fawara Chowk, the Imperial Market parking site will be excluded from the contract, and the remaining contract will be revised. Car parking fees will be increased from Rs30 to Rs50, while motorcycle parking fees will rise from Rs10 to Rs20. The PRA has now issued a letter instructing the Municipal Corporation to deduct a 5 per cent service tax from the awarded contract amounts and deposit it with the authority.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's can-maker enhances production capacity
Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC) has completed its debottlenecking and capacity enhancement project, increasing production capacity significantly by over 8%. The listed can-maker disclosed the development in its notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday. 'With reference to our earlier announcement dated April 30, 2025, regarding the Board of Directors' approval of the debottlenecking and capacity enhancement project, we are pleased to inform that the project has been successfully completed within the projected timeline,' read the notice. PABC shared that the initiative was undertaken to address production bottlenecks and equalise line efficiencies, to improve overall operational performance and increase rated production capacity. 'We are pleased to report that these objectives have been successfully achieved. As a result, the Company's rated annual production capacity has increased from 1,200 million cans to 1,300 million cans, and the additional capacity is now commercially operational and available for use,' it informed. The company, engaged in the manufacturing and sale of aluminium cans, was of the view that the project would enhance its production capabilities in line with its long-term operational and capacity optimisation goals. Pakistan's only can-maker to enhance production capacity by 26% At the time of filing this report, the share of PABC was being traded at Rs165, up by Re4.62 or 2.88%. Back in 2022, PABC raised Rs4.6 billion against an offering of 94 million shares at a strike price of Rs 49 per share, 40% above the floor price of Rs35 per share. The plan was to raise Rs3.3 billion.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Prices continue to soar in open market
A relentless wave of inflation continues to batter the twin cities, with bakery and sweet shops joining the trend by hiking prices. Essential vegetables and groceries are now being sold at exorbitant prices — live chicken at Rs415/kg, chicken meat at Rs650/kg, eggs Rs280/dozen, milk Rs220/litre, and mutton Rs2,500/kg. Fruits and vegetables, including coriander, which was once free with vegetables, now cost Rs80 per bundle. Markets have become hubs of substandard produce while price control officers and assistant commissioners appear helpless in enforcing the official price list. The Punjab government's crackdown on overpriced sugar has shown immediate results as sugar is now available at the official rate of Rs173/kg in Rawalpindi markets. Rate cards featuring Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's photo have been displayed at all shops. Following the crackdown, fines worth Rs318,000 were imposed within 24 hours. Two FIRs were registered, eight buildings sealed, and 10 people arrested. A total of 150 challans were issued, with 43 violators identified. Shopkeepers claim that the sugar is supplied to them at Rs165/kg ex-mill price, but only two sacks (100kg) per national ID card are available to tax filers. Traders demand easier access and removal of the tax-filer condition to meet market demand. The impact of rising fuel prices, transportation costs, and new heavy taxes has caused a sharp surge in prices of food, fruits, vegetables, pulses, meat, bakery items, and flour in open markets and wholesale bazaars.
