PDA team meets Ahsan Iqbal
The delegation included Kashan Hasan, Managing Director FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan and Vice Chairman of PDA; Dr Shehzad Amin, CEO PDA; Dr Muhammad Nasir from FCEPL; Aatekah Mir from Nestlé Pakistan and Noor Aftab from Tetra Pak. During the meeting, the PDA presented it's position on the impact of the unprecedented 18% sales tax on packaged milk, and its ripple effects on farmers, consumers, and the formal dairy value chain.
In response, Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed his full support for the Association's position, acknowledging the adverse effects of the current taxation regime. He affirmed the importance of dairy as a key pillar of food security, economic growth, and export potential, and endorsed the need for a long-term dairy policy to ensure sectoral resilience, consumer health, and farmer sustainability.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
SRO to be reinstated soon, Jam tells APSGJTA
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, on Friday assured the All Pakistan Small Gems Jewellers & Tools Association (APSGJTA) that SRO 760 will be reinstated soon, expressing satisfaction with the arguments presented by industry representatives and exporters. The Ministry of Commerce also held a Zoom meeting with gold exporters, who urged the minister to prioritise the reinstatement of the SRO. Exporters highlighted that their import and re-export consignments have been delayed, with a 50-kg gold consignment currently stuck at the port. The SRO expired on July 8, 2025. 'Buyers of Pakistani exporters are considering legal action against their local partners for failing to meet commitments,' said Shabir Ahmad Awan, Convener of APSGJTA's Export Standing Committee, while speaking to Business Recorder. Both the Commerce minister and secretary Commerce assured exporters that the suspended SRO would be reinstated as soon as possible. However, exporters remain concerned that the matter could once again stall at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) — as in the past. Earlier, the additional secretary of Commerce had informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce that a special committee had cleared the matter. However, the PMO returned the proposal for reconsideration. Speaking to Business Recorder, Jawed Hanif Khan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Commerce, said he has convened a meeting on August 18, 2025, to raise the issue once again. 'Officials from the Commerce Ministry gave their word that the matter has been resolved,' he said. The gold jewellery export sector operates under SRO 760(I)/2013, which offers tax exemptions under Clause 6: 'Import duty and taxes on the import of precious metals and gemstones under this order shall be exempt from normal import tariffs and taxes. Import of other raw materials, tools, machinery, and equipment required for the production and export of items shall also be exempt from normal import tariffs and taxes.' However, contrary to this provision, sales tax exemptions are not available across all schemes related to the import of precious metals and associated items. While Customs Duty, Additional Customs Duty, and Withholding Tax are exempt under relevant laws, the Sales Tax Act only provides exemption for gold imported under the Entrustment Scheme (S No 178, Sixth Schedule). Imports under the Self-Consignment Scheme, and other related items, remain subject to the standard 18 percent sales tax. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
KP has become hub of corruption: Azma
LAHORE: Expressing grave concern over the rising tide of corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari said stated that new corruption scandals are emerging in KP almost every day. She highlighted that a massive Rs. 40 billion scam in the development sector was recently followed by a Rs. 16 billion corruption case in the education department. Azma Bokhari further revealed that a fresh scandal in the mineral department has come to light, involving the granting of gold mining contracts in five districts of KP to favoured individuals at throwaway prices. 'These so-called honest leaders have a track record of corruption that begins in the billions. Their entire legacy is based on personal gain and loot,' she remarked. The minister said that PTI's loyalists of treating KP's treasury as their inheritance, and said that not a single new development project has been launched in the province in the past one and a half years, while corruption continues to break records. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
CM directs excellent cleanliness on ‘Jashn-e-Azadi' occasion
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed to make excellent cleanliness arrangements across the province on Independence Day. She has directed all the departments to provide best facilities to the people during Independence Day celebrations. She has also directed to ensure best security and traffic arrangements at public places in view of the arrival of families to celebrate Independence Day. The Chief Minister has directed the district administration across Punjab to fully support civic organizations on the eve of Independence Day celebrations. She highlighted, 'The colours of Independence Day spread like a rainbow in cities and villages across Punjab.' People in cities and villages are continuing to hoist flags on their houses. Vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws, trolleys and trucks were also beautifully decorated. Government and private buildings, parks, squares, intersections, markets and highways are also being decorated with flags and banners.' The beauty of areas and buildings was enhanced by installing electric lights and lamps. The beautiful scenes of decoration and embellishment in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Kotli Sattian, Jhang, Layyah, Sialkot, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock also provided an opportunity of entertainment and rejoice to the citizens. Bazaars, streets, roads and intersections were also decorated in Faisalabad, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Mandi Bahauddin and Sargodha. National monuments were also illuminated. As evening falls, citizens come out on the streets to see the lamps and festivities to celebrate Independence Day. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
