March against 'landgrab, forced conversionof Hindu women'
Chandio reiterated that the corporate farming cannot be accepted in any form even if the Pakistan Peoples Party's Sindh government dubbed the initiative as Public Private Partnership (PPP). The JSM's leader said instead of supporting the poor farmers the provincial government is only facilitating the large corporations and that too to the detriment of the peasants.
Chandio alleged that Sindh's coal, oil, water and other resources have already been sold. He rejected the proposal for constructing new dams on the pretext that Indus river's water is being released in large volume in the sea during the ongoing flood season.
He deplored that Sindh's major cities like Mirpurkhas still lacked public sector universities but the Sindh govt is planning to build a university in Punjab from the funds generated by selling the state's land to Bahria Town Karachi. Chandio reiterated that the country's law does not allow marriage of underage girls yet Hindu girls aged 14 to 15 years solemnize marriages and change their religions.
Chenab dam
The convener of Save Indus River Movement Syed Zain Shah, who is also head of Sindh United Party (SUP) has condemned the federal government's proposal to build Chenab dam in Punjab. He asserted in a statement on Saturday that the govt's plan is yet another move to rob Sindh of its due share of Indus water.
He blamed the PPP and PMLN for being hands in glove with the establishment in making such plans.
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Express Tribune
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- Express Tribune
Govt restricts FBR arrest powers
Listen to article The government on Wednesday made it mandatory for tax officials to consult at least two representatives of the business community before initiating investigations that could lead to arrests in tax fraud cases, watering down any real chances of detaining accused individuals. In line with the understanding reached between the business community and the government, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a Sales Tax General Order outlining a lengthy procedure before traders or any businesspersons involved in alleged sales tax frauds can be arrested. The order states that, after concluding an inquiry in tax fraud cases, the commissioner inland revenue of the FBR "shall not give approval to initiate investigation unless he has obtained approval from the member (inland revenue operations) of the board." However, the caveat is that the FBR commissioner cannot seek the member's approval until he convinces the business community that fraud has indeed occurred and that there are sufficient grounds to justify an arrest. "Before seeking approval of the member inland revenue operations, it is binding upon the commissioner to consult with two representatives of the business community from among such representatives as notified by the board." A cursory look at the general order indicates that it will now be next to impossible for the FBR to arrest anyone, given the cumbersome process outlined. The government had obtained arrest powers for the FBR through the budget, a move that had sparked nationwide criticism. The Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) had equated the FBR's arrest powers with those of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and initially refused to support them. However, PPP later reached a compromise after the government inserted several safeguards into the law to address the concerns of its key coalition partner in the National Assembly. The government had vowed to raise Rs389 billion through enforcement measures during the current fiscal year. The FBR had been granted powers to prohibit major purchases like cars and homes, penalise cash expenses over Rs200,000, and arrest tax defaulters. However, through three different notifications issued this week, the government has diluted these punitive powers, effectively taking FBR back to square one vis-à-vis traders. This continued leniency towards traders has put the salaried class at a disadvantage. Salaried individuals paid a record Rs555 billion in taxes, whereas there are no independently verified or credible figures for income tax paid by traders during the last fiscal year. According to the new general order, the FBR "shall not initiate an inquiry unless approval from the commissioner has been obtained." Even after completing an inquiry, the commissioner cannot proceed further unless he has satisfied the business community and has obtained the necessary approval from the member inland revenue operations. The order states that various trade bodies will nominate their representatives, from which the FBR will pick two representatives for each region. Each trade body listed must nominate two individuals who "should be compliant and reasonably significant taxpayers." The member inland revenue operations will nominate two persons for each region for consultation from among those nominated by the trade organisations, based on their income tax payments for the latest tax year, export contributions, and compliance history, according to the order. The member inland revenue operations may not select more than one person from any single nominating trade organisation within a region. The FBR has listed the Pakistan Business Council, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Sialkot and Gujranwala Chambers, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Based on geographical location, the FBR will notify a two-member trader representative committee for each separate region. This week, tax authorities informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the FBR suffered a setback due to compromises made with the business community, according to sources. After initially claiming to go after wealthy, under-taxed individuals by banning their major purchases and disallowing the treatment of large cash deposits as banking transactions, the government has now reversed course. The FBR has also amended its position on cash expenses, stating that "when a person, whether a national tax number holder or otherwise, deposits the cash against invoices in the bank account of the seller, the payment shall be treated as having taken place through banking channel and no disallowance of the expenditure will be made in this regard under this clause." The government has also decided not to immediately ban the purchase of cars, homes, plots, and investments in stocks by ineligible persons. Officials have acknowledged that this decision is a significant setback and effectively negates recent enforcement efforts, taking both the FBR and the government back to square one in their dealings with the trader community.
Business Recorder
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Karachi to Sukkur: Sindh govt plans to launch sub-urban railway services: minister
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Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NA passes resolutions against honour killings, digital harassment
Listen to article The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed resolutions against honour killings and digital harassment, calling for targeted public awareness campaigns and the introduction of educational modules on digital ethics, privacy rights, and anti-harassment laws in institutions. The resolution against honour killings, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Shahida Rehmani during a National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, strongly condemned so-called honour killings and called for zero tolerance toward such crimes, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. It also proposed the formation of an interprovincial task force to ensure coordinated efforts to eradicate honour-based violence. The lower house adopted several other resolutions, including one calling for stronger legal frameworks against unauthorised video recording, cyber harassment, and digital defamation. The House adopted a resolution moved by the Secretary Women's Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Shahida Rehmani, condemning the Honor killings across Pakistan.#NASession @ShahidaRehmani — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 Moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, the resolution urged the federal government to strengthen law enforcement capacity and initiate public awareness campaigns on digital rights and safe reporting mechanisms. It also recommended the inclusion of educational modules on privacy, digital ethics, and anti-harassment laws in educational institutions and the establishment of dedicated complaint desks at police stations. The house also passed a resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice. The House, during the National Assembly session, unanimously adopted the resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and Justice. The resolution was moved by Member National… — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 The resolution, tabled by PPP MNA Shazia Marri, expressed deep concern over the intensifying Israeli military aggression in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and destruction of homes and infrastructure. It condemned the statements and actions of Israeli authorities suggesting a long-term occupation of Gaza, forced displacement of Palestinians, and systematic attempts to erase the territory's Palestinian identity. The resolution further denounced the use of starvation, siege tactics, and collective punishment, terming them war crimes under international law. The House called on the United Nations and the broader international community to fulfil their legal and moral obligations by taking immediate steps to end the aggression, ensure civilian protection, and facilitate unrestricted humanitarian access. It also called for accountability of the occupying power for war crimes and reaffirmed support for the Palestinian right to self-determination. Also Read: Pakistan, Turkiye conclude first bilateral amphibious naval drill The resolution urged the government to continue raising the issue on global platforms, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025 — already passed by the Senate — for consideration. However, an amendment moved by MNA Aliya Kamran referring the bill to the relevant committee was adopted. During the Question Hour, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Syed Hussain Tariq, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, raised concern over K-Electric's request for a waiver of Rs76 billion in unpaid dues and the practice of disconnecting entire feeders over non-payment by a few consumers. MNA Mir Munawar Ali Talpur also questioned the rationale behind collective punishment of entire neighbourhoods due to defaults by a few. Minister of State for Energy Abdur Rehman Khan Kanju and Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Sajid Mehdi responded to the queries. Speaker Sadiq took notice of the concerns and directed the minister to hold a special meeting with the concerned MNAs to find a viable solution.
