Latest news with #IkramulHaq
Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Land record franchises to be rolled out
The Revenue Department has completed 90 per cent computerisation of land records in Dera Ghazi Khan district. PHOTO: thecampaignworkshop The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has launched a franchising programme to expand public access to services across the province. The initiative follows the success of a pilot project in Sahiwal and will now be implemented in all districts through the establishment of privately operated Arazi Moawin Centres under a public-private partnership model. The franchising framework, formalised through the Punjab Land Records Authority (Franchising of Services) Regulations, 2025, is purportedly designed to reduce reliance on traditional 'patwar' systems and bring transparency, efficiency, and dignity to land management. According to PLRA Director General Ikramul Haq, the new model will not only simplify access to land records for citizens but also promote employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The newly introduced Arazi Moawin Centres will serve as authorised franchise outlets providing a range of essential services. These include issuance of land ownership documents (fard), property transfer entries (intiqal), and the facilitation of digital services such as e-registration, e-stamping, and remote attestation through video links with official Arazi Record Centres (ARCs). Applicants seeking to operate a franchise must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include a minimum qualification of matriculation, basic computer proficiency, and successful completion of a pre-qualification process administered by the authority. Existing employees of the PLRA may also apply, provided they resign before final approval and execution of the franchise agreement. To ensure consistency and quality of service, franchise operators are required to establish properly equipped offices, follow cybersecurity protocols, and operate only at approved locations. The PLRA has explicitly barred franchise activity within unapproved housing societies and has warned against any form of illegal association or fraudulent activity involving government or private entities. Once approved, the franchise agreements are executed electronically, and operators are granted system credentials to access land data and manage transactions in their designated service areas.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Departmental spending exceeds budget
Despite a projected budget deficit exceeding Rs38 billion for the upcoming financial year, most Sindh government departments have shown little willingness towards effectively controlling expenditures. Budget documents have revealed that several departments have overspent their allocated budgets during the current fiscal year, with additional expenses mostly attributed to non-productive categories such as fuel, operational costs, and allowances. Among the major over spenders, the Sindh Assembly Secretariat used Rs871 million against an allocation of Rs760 million, with Rs371 million spent on fuel alone. The Chief Minister's House exceeded its budget of Rs1.32 billion by spending Rs1.63 billion. The Anti-Corruption Department went beyond its allocation of Rs1.65 billion and spent over Rs2 billion. Similarly, the Energy Department, allocated Rs62.4 billion, ended up spending Rs68.2 billion. The Transport Department recorded the highest overspending. Against an allocation of Rs7.61 billion, it spent Rs11.03 billion, reportedly due to the procurement of new buses for Karachi. Similarly, the Education Works Department, responsible for construction and maintenance of school buildings, spent Rs10.21 billion, which is Rs2 billion more than its allocation of Rs8.2 billion. Likewise, the Board of Revenue also exceeded its allocation of Rs8.94 billion slightly, spending Rs9.10 billion. The Local Government Department overspent by Rs2 billion as well. Critics have argued that most of these excesses are unnecessary and avoidable, primarily related to perks and fuel allowances. Tighter administrative controls and meaningful legislative debate could significantly reduce wasteful spending. According to Dr Ikramul Haq, an economist, if the federal government provided Sindh with its full share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Sindh government might not even need to incur additional expenditures. "This time as well, the federal government has given Rs250 billion less to Sindh, Provinces including Sindh prepare their budgets based on projected income for the coming year, which includes funds expected from the federal government. When the federal government does not provide provinces with their due share, the provinces are inevitably forced to make additional expenditures," explained Dr Haq. It is worth noting that during the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, Sindh's government departments incurred an additional expenditure of Rs156 billion. The Sindh government recently had this amount approved as a supplementary budget by the Sindh Assembly. Among Deputy Commissioners (DCs), the most notable overspending was reported in Umerkot, Thatta, Qambar Shahdadkot, Mithi, Matiari, and Sanghar. For instance, DC Umerkot spent Rs140 million against a Rs116 million allocation, and DC Thatta spent Rs165 million against a Rs148 million budget. According to a senior official from the Sindh Finance Department, many government institutions habitually overspend, and the Finance Department incorporates these figures into supplementary budgets, which are then approved by the Sindh Assembly, often without much scrutiny. "In the aftermath of the 18th Amendment, with a higher share from the National Finance Commission (NFC), provinces like Sindh have gained financial autonomy, reducing central oversight and enabling such expenditures with little resistance," said the official. Journalist Muneer Saqi, who has long reported on Sindh Assembly proceedings, noted that, in principle, these additional expenditures should be debated in the Assembly. "In practice, however, the ruling party uses its majority to get them approved along with the annual budget, side-lining accountability," claimed Saqi. The problem of overspending, however, is not limited to provincial departments since divisional and district administrative offices are also reporting significant budget overruns.
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar, Pakistan explore economic cooperation
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Chamber (QC) General Manager Ali Boushraibek Al Mansouri received today at the Chamber's headquarters a delegation from the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in Pakistan, headed by its President, Ikram ul Haq. The Pakistani delegation included Muhammad Imtiaz Khan, Executive Director of MedAsk, a healthcare company; Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, CEO of DRM Pharma & Diagnostic; and Khawaja Masood Akhtar, Chairman of Forward Group, a leading manufacturer and exporter of footballs. During the meeting, the two sides discussed avenues for enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan. Discussions also focused on strengthening institutional collaboration between the Qatar Chamber and the Sialkot Chamber to support private sector engagement and boost bilateral trade and investment. Al Mansouri praised the close relations between the two countries, particularly in trade and economic fields. He noted that the total volume of trade exchange reached approximately QR12.7bn in 2024, with QR12.2bn representing Qatari exports—primarily petroleum gases and gaseous hydrocarbons—while imports from Pakistan amounted to about QR500m. He also highlighted the presence of more than 2,000 Pakistani companies registered with the Qatar Chamber, operating in partnership with Qatari firms, in addition to 37 companies that are fully Pakistani-owned. He affirmed that the Qatari market remains open and welcoming to more Pakistani investors. Ikram ul Haq expressed appreciation for the strong bilateral relations and emphasized that the delegation includes key representatives from Pakistan's healthcare and sports manufacturing sectors, who are keen to forge strategic alliances with Qatari businesses. Muhammad Imtiaz Khan highlighted the diverse investment opportunities available in Sialkot, particularly in the healthcare sector. He noted that Pakistani firms are eager to collaborate with Qatari counterparts in establishing joint ventures in hospitals, pharmacies, and medical laboratories. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Experts say Tax Ordinance will harm investment climate
LAHORE: A diverse group of businessmen, legal experts, tax specialists and journalists believed that the recently promulgated Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will do more harm to business and investment climate of the country without any significant tax-collection benefit contrary to the anticipations of the government and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). They expressed their concerns during a consultative session convened on Thursday under the PILDAT Business Policy Programme. The session, chaired by former Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid, discussed the implications of the recently promulgated ordinance on Pakistan's business and investment environment. Renowned tax expert Dr Ikramul Haq delivered the keynote address and presented the detailed analysis of the Ordinance and its implications for the country in general and businesses in particular. The session included an exchange of views on how the ordinance may affect various sectors, with participants expressing concern over the lack of prior consultation with the business community and their representative organisations, such as the chambers of commerce, the growing complexity of the tax system and the negative signals sent to potential investors. The speakers also referenced Pakistan's persistently low tax-to-GDP ratio, hovering around 9.2 percent, and the steady decline in ease-of-doing-business rankings as indicators that more systemic and transparent tax reforms are needed. They recommended that major fiscal reforms must be thoroughly debated in the Parliament and through structured engagement with the business community before implementation. The continued practice of introducing significant economic changes through ordinances, without consultation or parliamentary scrutiny, was widely criticised for undermining business confidence and eroding investor confidence. Serious concerns were expressed over the proposed deputation of legal and enforcement officials to business centres, which participants viewed as a reflection of the government's lack of trust in the business community. It was emphasised that such measures risk adding a new layer of potential corruption and reinforcing a perception that businesses are being treated as suspect entities under surveillance, rather than as partners in national economic development. Many participants questioned the utility and sense of deploying physical surveillance staff in this day and age of digital technology. The session also underscored the need to invoke and strengthen the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to address tax-related issues in a transparent, amicable, and business-friendly manner, thereby reducing litigation and building trust between taxpayers and the state. Earlier, PILDAT President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob emphasised the critical importance of stakeholder dialogue and transparency in tax reform processes. He noted that while tax reform is essential for improving revenue generation, the process must be inclusive and consultative to ensure credibility and compliance. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
