Latest news with #AbdulBasit
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PPA condemns imposition of Rs10 FED on day-old chick
LAHORE: Vehemently condemning the government's decision to impose a federal excise duty (FED) of Rs 10 on each day-old chick, the Pakistan Poultry Association has warned that this will cripple the already struggling sector. PPA Chairman Abdul Basit while speaking on behalf of the entire poultry industry at a presser on Monday said this ill-conceived measure will cripple the already struggling sector and lead to severe difficulties for consumers seeking affordable animal protein. 'This imposition of Rs 10 FED on day-old chicks is a catastrophic decision that demonstrates a profound lack of understanding of the poultry industry's dynamics and its vital role in national food security,' stated Abdul Basit and added such a punitive tax at the very nascent stage of production will inevitably lead to a sharp increase in the cost of poultry products, which will be unaffordable for the common man. He said the poultry industry in Pakistan has been a cornerstone of economic growth and a crucial provider of affordable protein to millions. Poultry is one of the largest industry of Pakistan, growing at an annual rate of 8-10%. However, it has consistently grappled with various challenges, including high input costs, disease outbreaks, and an often-unfavourable tax regime. Chairman Abdul Basit highlighted the direct and immediate consequences of this FED; the day-old chicks will significantly escalate the cost of production. This will force a large number of poultry farmers and entrepreneurs out of business, leading to widespread closures and unemployment in the rural economy. The will increase cost of production and will directly translate into higher prices for chicken meat and eggs in the market. At a time when inflation is already a major concern for the average Pakistani household, this tax will place an unbearable burden on consumers, pushing essential protein sources out of their reach, Basit said. The poultry sector is a major check against inflation and plays a critical role in providing low-cost animal protein. By making poultry products expensive, the government is jeopardizing the nation's food security and nutritional well-being, particularly for low-income propels. Instead of supporting an industry that provides livelihoods to millions and affordable food to the masses, this tax will stifle investment, discourage expansion, and ultimately lead to a contraction of the poultry sector. 'We have consistently advocated for policies that support the growth and sustainability of the poultry industry, which in turn benefits the entire nation,' Chairman Abdul Basit added. 'Instead, this new tax is a regressive step that will undo years of progress and push the industry to the brink of collapse.' The Pakistan Poultry Association urged the government to immediately reconsider and withdraw the federal excise duty on day-old chicks. Basit emphasized the need for a collaborative approach between the government and industry stakeholders to formulate policies that are conducive to growth, ensure affordability for consumers, and safeguard the future of Pakistan's vital poultry sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
2000 teak logs seized from illegal godowns in Sribhumi
Silchar: In a major crackdown on illegal timber trade, forest officials on Monday evening seized nearly 2,000 teak logs and other assorted wooden logs from two unauthorised godowns in the Kotamoni area of Sribhumi district. The operations were jointly conducted by teams from the Lowairpua and Dohalia forest range units, acting on directives from newly-appointed divisional forest officer Amal Kumar. Acting on specific inputs, the forest personnel raided the two godowns, both of which were found to be operating without valid trade licenses or the mandatory clearance from the forest department. Sources said the illegal godowns are owned by Abdul Basit and Abdul Quddus. Despite the massive seizure, no arrests have been made so far. Officials added that investigations are underway to ascertain the source of the timber and to track down others potentially involved in the illegal operation. "We are committed to curbing timber smuggling and unauthorised trade in forest produce. Strict action will follow," said a senior forest official, who was part of the operation. The seizure has raised serious questions about the rampant deforestation and unregulated timber trade in the region. Forest authorities are likely to issue notices to the owners and may initiate legal proceedings under relevant sections of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
Al-Ahram Weekly
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
India, Pakistan military to confer as ceasefire holds - International
Indian and Pakistani military chiefs were set to confer Monday as a ceasefire that brought the nuclear-armed rivals back from the brink of all-out war held. US President Donald Trump announced the truce late Saturday after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks which killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing on both sides. The phone call between the heads of military operations due at 12:00 pm (0630 GMT) comes after the Indian army reported the "first calm night in recent days" in Kashmir and along its western border with Pakistan. Abdul Basit at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said that the talks would be about modalities of the ceasefire and not policy decisions. The aim is to "avoid any miscalculations, because right now one spark could quickly move towards a nuclear catastrophe," Basit told AFP. The flare-up in violence was the worst since the rivals' last open conflict in 1999 and sparked global shudders that it could spiral into full-blown war. There were initial doubts as the rivals accused each other of breaching the ceasefire just hours after it was unexpectedly announced by Trump on social media. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the Indian army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days," the statement added. It was also the second straight night without gunfire or shelling at Poonch, a frontier town in the part of divided Kashmir administered by India. Top India and Pakistan military officials held briefings late Sunday with each claiming the upper hand and warning they were ready to respond if there were fresh attacks. "We have delivered the promise we made to our people", Pakistan's military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, calling it a "success on the battleground". "We re-established deterrence and neutralised key threats", Pakistani Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Aurangzeb told reporters. "We have thus far exercised immense restraint so far and our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory," said Indian Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. But he added: "Any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of our citizens will be met with decisive force," he added. Poonch was one of the worst-hit places in India, with at least 12 residents killed and most of the estimated 60,000 residents fleeing their homes. On Sunday, people started trickling back, although many were still jittery about the ceasefire. Abdul Razzak returned after fleeing with four children and two other relatives on two motorbikes with nothing but their clothes. "It was our worst nightmare... We've seen our people die around us, so none of us want a war," the 50-year-old told AFP after returning to his house. Thousands of schools remained closed across Pakistan-administered Kashmir as areas were cleared of debris from strikes and firing, said local official Naveed-Ul-Hassan Bukhari. The alarming spiral towards all-out conflict began before dawn on Wednesday, when India launched missile attacks destroying what it called "terrorist camps" in the Pakistani part of Kashmir. This followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack but Islamabad denied involvement and immediately responded to the strikes with heavy artillery fire. It claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets -- something New Delhi has not commented on. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Int'l Business Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
India, Pakistan Military To Confer As Ceasefire Holds
Indian and Pakistani military chiefs were set to confer Monday as a ceasefire that brought the nuclear-armed rivals back from the brink of all-out war held. US President Donald Trump announced the truce late Saturday after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks which killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing on both sides. The phone call between the heads of military operations due at 12:00 pm (0630 GMT) comes after the Indian army reported the "first calm night in recent days" in Kashmir and along its western border with Pakistan. Abdul Basit at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said that the talks would be about modalities of the ceasefire and not policy decisions. The aim is to "avoid any miscalculations, because right now one spark could quickly move towards a nuclear catastrophe," Basit told AFP. The flare-up in violence was the worst since the rivals' last open conflict in 1999 and sparked global shudders that it could spiral into full-blown war. There were initial doubts as the rivals accused each other of breaching the ceasefire just hours after it was unexpectedly announced by Trump on social media. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the Indian army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days," the statement added. It was also the second straight night without gunfire or shelling at Poonch, a frontier town in the part of divided Kashmir administered by India. Top India and Pakistan military officials held briefings late Sunday with each claiming the upper hand and warning they were ready to respond if there were fresh attacks. "We have delivered the promise we made to our people", Pakistan's military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, calling it a "success on the battleground". "We re-established deterrence and neutralised key threats", Pakistani Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Aurangzeb told reporters. "We have thus far exercised immense restraint so far and our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory," said Indian Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. But he added: "Any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of our citizens will be met with decisive force," he added. Poonch was one of the worst-hit places in India, with at least 12 residents killed and most of the estimated 60,000 residents fleeing their homes. On Sunday, people started trickling back, although many were still jittery about the ceasefire. Abdul Razzak returned after fleeing with four children and two other relatives on two motorbikes with nothing but their clothes. "It was our worst nightmare... We've seen our people die around us, so none of us want a war," the 50-year-old told AFP after returning to his house. Thousands of schools remained closed across Pakistan-administered Kashmir as areas were cleared of debris from strikes and firing, said local official Naveed-Ul-Hassan Bukhari. The alarming spiral towards all-out conflict began before dawn on Wednesday, when India launched missile attacks destroying what it called "terrorist camps" in the Pakistani part of Kashmir. This followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack but Islamabad denied involvement and immediately responded to the strikes with heavy artillery fire. It claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets -- something New Delhi has not commented on. Militants have stepped up operations in Kashmir since 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government revoked the region's limited autonomy and took it under direct rule from New Delhi. Divided Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, who have fought several wars over the territory since their independence from Britain in 1947. Four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks between the two countries killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing AFP
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
India, Pakistan military to confer as ceasefire holds
Indian and Pakistani military chiefs were set to confer Monday as a ceasefire that brought the nuclear-armed rivals back from the brink of all-out war held. US President Donald Trump announced the truce late Saturday after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks which killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing on both sides. The phone call between the heads of military operations due at 12:00 pm (0630 GMT) comes after the Indian army reported the "first calm night in recent days" in Kashmir and along its western border with Pakistan. Abdul Basit at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said that the talks would be about modalities of the ceasefire and not policy decisions. The aim is to "avoid any miscalculations, because right now one spark could quickly move towards a nuclear catastrophe," Basit told AFP. The flare-up in violence was the worst since the rivals' last open conflict in 1999 and sparked global shudders that it could spiral into full-blown war. There were initial doubts as the rivals accused each other of breaching the ceasefire just hours after it was unexpectedly announced by Trump on social media. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the Indian army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days," the statement added. It was also the second straight night without gunfire or shelling at Poonch, a frontier town in the part of divided Kashmir administered by India. - 'Victory' claims - Top India and Pakistan military officials held briefings late Sunday with each claiming the upper hand and warning they were ready to respond if there were fresh attacks. "We have delivered the promise we made to our people", Pakistan's military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, calling it a "success on the battleground". "We re-established deterrence and neutralised key threats", Pakistani Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Aurangzeb told reporters. "We have thus far exercised immense restraint so far and our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory," said Indian Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. But he added: "Any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of our citizens will be met with decisive force," he added. - 'Our worst nightmare' - Poonch was one of the worst-hit places in India, with at least 12 residents killed and most of the estimated 60,000 residents fleeing their homes. On Sunday, people started trickling back, although many were still jittery about the ceasefire. Abdul Razzak returned after fleeing with four children and two other relatives on two motorbikes with nothing but their clothes. "It was our worst nightmare... We've seen our people die around us, so none of us want a war," the 50-year-old told AFP after returning to his house. Thousands of schools remained closed across Pakistan-administered Kashmir as areas were cleared of debris from strikes and firing, said local official Naveed-Ul-Hassan Bukhari. The alarming spiral towards all-out conflict began before dawn on Wednesday, when India launched missile attacks destroying what it called "terrorist camps" in the Pakistani part of Kashmir. This followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack but Islamabad denied involvement and immediately responded to the strikes with heavy artillery fire. It claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets -- something New Delhi has not commented on. Militants have stepped up operations in Kashmir since 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government revoked the region's limited autonomy and took it under direct rule from New Delhi. Divided Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, who have fought several wars over the territory since their independence from Britain in 1947. ach-sbh/stu
