logo
Punjab to shift all jails to solar energy

Punjab to shift all jails to solar energy

Express Tribune28-02-2025

Refuting rumours of new taxes on solar power, Minister for Power Awais Leghari stated that the government has no such plans in the near future. photo: file
Listen to article
Punjab government has decided to transition all 43 jails in the province to solar energy, a move expected to reduce electricity and gas bills by up to 60%.
The plan, which aims to address rising utility costs, has been presented by the Punjab Home Department and is awaiting final approval from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Express News reported.
An initial survey conducted by the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has estimated that the annual energy costs for Punjab's 43 jails have reached a staggering Rs4.5 billion.
However, the total cost of transitioning these prisons to solar power is projected to be less than the annual utility bills, making the investment a cost-effective solution in the long run.
According to NRTC, the transition to solar energy for all 43 jails will require an investment of approximately Rs4.35 billion.
The phased implementation of the green energy solution will result in a 60% reduction in electricity costs, providing long-term financial relief.
The investment is expected to be recovered within three years, after which the jails will become self-sufficient in energy, reducing the financial burden on the provincial treasury.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department stated that the decision to move to green energy was made in response to record increases in electricity and gas bills in recent years.
The proposal for transitioning all jails to solar energy has been submitted to the provincial cabinet, with a recommendation to allocate Rs2 billion in the current fiscal year's budget to kickstart the project.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Temporary meat markets thrive in Pindi
Temporary meat markets thrive in Pindi

Express Tribune

time14 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Temporary meat markets thrive in Pindi

During the three days of Eidul Azha, temporary meat markets sprang up across central Rawalpindi, particularly along Jamia Masjid Road, Fawara Chowk, and Ganj Mandi Road. These makeshift stalls sold sacrificial mutton and beef collected from neighbourhoods and streets. Several families of professional beggars set up meat stalls, offering mutton at Rs1,000 to Rs1,200 per kilogramme and beef at Rs600 per kilogramme—significantly lower than open market prices, where mutton sells for Rs2,400 and beef for Rs1,400 per kilogramme. Meat sales peaked throughout Eid on Jamia Masjid Road, Raja Bazaar, and Ganj Mandi Road. Men, women, and children—all identified as professional beggars—were seen running these temporary stalls. The meat attracted considerable attention from middle-class buyers, while small restaurant and dhaba owners purchased it in bulk. Street vendors, especially kebab sellers operating from carts, also bought large quantities. In addition to meat, the heads and hooves of goats, sheep, and bulls were cleaned and sold. Many of these vendors used motorcycle rickshaws to transport their goods. Due to the abundance of sacrificial meat, most butcher shops in the twin cities are expected to remain closed for the next two weeks.

Tax exemption costs jump to Rs5.8tr
Tax exemption costs jump to Rs5.8tr

Express Tribune

time15 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Tax exemption costs jump to Rs5.8tr

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 year—a 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 billion—substantially 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 year—reflecting 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. A senior Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) official admitted that the Rs5.8 trillion figure may have been erroneously reported in the survey. He said the government plans to revise the number online by excluding the losses on account of petroleum products. The official also acknowledged that some tax losses were double-counted due to confusion over calculation methodology. However, he added that many of these exemptions were necessary or offset by other forms of taxation. For example, while the government incurred a cost of Rs1.8 trillion in forgone sales tax on petroleum products, it recovered more than Rs1 trillion by imposing a petroleum levy of Rs78 per litre. Sales tax The survey reported sales tax exemptions worth Rs4.3 trillion in the outgoing fiscal year, compared to Rs2.9 trillion in the previous year—a rise of nearly 50%. In absolute terms, the cost of sales tax exemptions jumped by Rs1.4 trillion, primarily due to exemptions on petroleum products, imported goods, and local supplies. Sales tax exemptions accounted for nearly three-quarters of total tax expenditure. During the outgoing fiscal year, the government maintained a 0% sales tax on petroleum products while charging a fixed petroleum levy of up to Rs78 per litre on petrol and diesel. According to the survey, the government forfeited Rs1.8 trillion in sales tax on petroleum products, up from Rs1.3 trillion last year. Additionally, Rs683 billion was lost due to exemptions on products covered under the Fifth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act—representing a phenomenal 232% increase over last year's Rs206 billion. The Fifth Schedule pertains to zero-rated items. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistan to withdraw the remaining exemptions under this category. 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 Schedule—which permits lower-than-standard 18% sales tax rates—cost 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 billion—an 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. This increase came despite the government's decision to shift more tax burdens onto salaried individuals while sparing other blue-eyed sectors like retailers. The government itself benefited from Rs123 billion in income tax exemptions related to its income from various entities—up 112%, or Rs58 billion, over the previous year. Income tax exemptions on allowances rose to Rs16.5 billion—more than double the previous year's figure. Exemptions for tax credits cost Rs101 billion—up Rs75 billion over last year. Under the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, Rs444 billion worth of total income exemptions were granted, reflecting a Rs150 billion or 51% increase. The IMF is now pressuring the government to reconsider these exemptions. Reductions in tax liabilities cost Rs65 billion—substantially more than the previous year. Another Rs52 billion was lost due to exemptions from "specific provisions". Customs duty Customs duty exemptions increased to Rs786 billion this fiscal year—up Rs243 billion or 45% from Rs543 billion last year, the survey showed. The government lost Rs133 billion in customs duties due to concessions granted to the automobile sector, oil and gas exploration industry, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Exemptions under the Fifth Schedule of the Customs Act—covering goods entirely exempted from customs duties—cost Rs380 billion, an increase of Rs189 billion over the prior year. The cost of import-related exemptions for exporters rose from Rs127 billion to Rs179 billion. Exemptions linked to free trade agreements also saw an increase from Rs44 billion to Rs61 billion.

Azma lauds CM's policies: Green herbs available to public at affordable prices
Azma lauds CM's policies: Green herbs available to public at affordable prices

Business Recorder

time4 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Azma lauds CM's policies: Green herbs available to public at affordable prices

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that for the first time in Punjab's history, green herbs are available to the public at affordable prices ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. She said this is a practical example of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's pro-people policies and good governance. According to Bokhari, the Chief Minister ensured that there was no increase in the prices of essential commodities before Eid, nor was there any shortage in the markets. 'This is the first time a Chief Minister has personally monitored the situation round the clock to control prices and activate the market mechanism,' she said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store