Latest news with #NaveedAhmed
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
APTMA demands immediate removal of yarn, fabric from EFS
KARACHI: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to immediately remove yarn and fabric from the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), warning that their continued inclusion is jeopardising the domestic textile industry and distorting fair market competition. Addressing a press conference at APTMA House here on Tuesday, Kamran Arshad Chairman APTMA said that inclusion of Yarn and Fabric in the EFS has resulted in unfair market competition as the domestic industry products are paying 18 percent GST, while importers are enjoying tax-free and duty-free regime. He said that Pakistan Cotton Brokers Association (PCBA) and Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) and many other textile associations are supporting APTM's move. APTMA for removing yarn & fabric from ambit of EFS On the occasion, Naveed Ahmed, Chairman of APTMA Southern Zone, Khawaja Muhammad Zubair, Chairman PCBA and Dr Jassu Mal PCGA, Yasin Siddik former chairman APTMA, Asif Inam and others were also present. 'FY25 budget removed sales tax exemption on local inputs under EFS; however, imports are sales tax-free and duty-free. This move is directly hurting the domestic industry', Kamran Arshad He mentioned that some 18 percent sales tax on local inputs is refundable, but refunds are delayed, incomplete, and costly to process, especially disadvantageous to SMEs. Due to this disparity, over 120 spinning mills and 800 ginning factories have already shut down; looms are also closing and loom workers are protesting on streets in Faisalabad. SMEs are specifically disadvantaged as they have fewer channels for import and pay sales taxes at every stage. In addition, only 60 to 70 percent of refunds are issued, while the rest are stuck in manual processing with no progress in the last 4-5 years, he added. 'Due to cheap import of yarn and fabric, exporters strongly prefer imported inputs, resulting in disadvantageous local suppliers.' There is a massive $1.5 billion increase in import of only cotton, yarn and greige cloth compared to export growth of $1.4 billion in FY25. The import of these items rose from $2.19 billion in FY24 to $3.64 billion in FY25, he mentioned. Chairman APTMA said that subjecting local supplies to 18 percent sales tax while bestowing zero rating on imports is an anti-Pakistan policy that is bleeding the economy within. He informed that APTMA has pushed as much as it can for restoration of the EFS to its June 2024 position with sales tax zero-rating on local supplies. 'We have held meetings with the Minister Finance, Chairman and Members FBR, IMF representatives; however, the IMF has not agreed to restoration.' He said a high-level committee was also formed led by Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives of Pakistan for negotiation with IMF; however, the meeting could not hold. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
BBC News
12-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Margate community projects helping refugees feel at home
A network of projects is helping asylum seekers and refugees find a sense of community in Margate while they wait for their new lives to take groups in the Kent town have been running football tournaments, cooking classes and more in a bid to turn strangers into seekers cannot work until they are granted refugee status but they can volunteer."The more you get involved with the people who are coming as migrants, the more you will get to know about them and their stories," refugee Naveed Ahmed told Politics South East. He added: "You will get to know they are just people like you who are trying to get a safe and sound life." Mr Ahmed went to The Perfect Place to Grow - a cafe and training kitchen in Margate that helps young people into employment - after arriving in the said his motivation for joining the organisation was to make good use of his time, get involved with the community and "do something meaningful"."When I came here and met all of these people, they gave me a big welcome and gave me the sense that I belonged to this place, I belonged to the community," he Ahmed now works as a chef at a local restaurant. Derek Harding, who coaches a football team of asylum seekers, said the people that joined the team "get a lot out of it".The team has played weekly for a year and hosted tournaments."They definitely just love football," Mr Harding said. "I've also seen friendships building within that community, tThis cuts across all of that." Infiyaz Careem, a refugee and personal trainer, is being hosted by the former Mayor of Margate, Rob Yates, who says he has lost 10kg with the help of the fitness Careem has also been putting his expertise to use offering free fitness sessions for Margate residents at the beach."I can't live by myself because without any community I'll fail," he said."I keep doing every single [thing] - voluntary stuff, community stuff - because that makes my life different in Margate."Mr Yates added: "I think Margate is a really good role model for what towns and cities should be doing."
Hamilton Spectator
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Everything you need to know to vote in Burlington North—Milton West. Here are your candidates
Burlington-area voters head to the polls April 28 to choose their next member of Parliament in the snap Canadian election. These are the confirmed candidates running in Burlington North—Milton West: Naveed Ahmed (NDP) — Ahmed is a Halton public board school trustee. Nadeem Akbar (Conservative) — Akbar is an IT consultant specializing in infrastructure and cybersecurity who also ran for the party in 2021. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal) — van Koeverden is an incumbent MP for Milton and a former Olympic sprint kayaker. Charles Zach (PPC) — Zach was most recently executive director for the National Firearms Association. The newly redistributed Burlington North—Milton West federal electoral district for the upcoming 2025 Canada election. This is a new riding created in 2023 by a redistribution of federal electoral districts. The riding includes about half of urban Milton from west of Ontario Street South, a northern section of Burlington from roughly Upper Middle Road, and a sizable section of rural Milton in the north extending to Highway 7. All-candidates meeting hosted by the Canadian Federation of University Women in Milton. 550 Ontario St. S., Milton Contact: 1-866-583-5150 Some voters in this new riding used to be in the former electoral district of Oakville North—Burlington, which had Liberal Pam Damoff as MP between 2015 and the time the riding was dissolved.
Saba Yemen
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Four Pakistani security personnel killed in Balochistan explosion
Islamabad - Saba: Four Pakistani security personnel were killed and three others wounded on Friday when an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted their vehicle in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province in the country's southwest. Police official Naveed Ahmed said in a statement that the IED was planted on the side of the road and exploded as a security patrol passed, killing four personnel instantly. Ahmed indicated that the injured were transferred to area hospitals for treatment. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. For his part, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack, describing it as "terrorist." In an official statement, he expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and affirmed the government's commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. The attack comes amid escalating violence in Balochistan province, which witnessed a similar bombing last March that killed five security personnel and wounded 12 others. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Annual grades IX, X exams kick off today
The Annual Exams for IX and X grades under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) are set to begin today at 499 examination centres across Karachi. BSEK Chairman Ghulam Hussain Soho provided details about the examinations and their arrangements on Sunday during a meeting at his office. For the first time, the examination board has issued computerised online admit cards to all students, and the list of examination centres is available on the board's official website. A total of 375,000 students will take the exams, including those from science and general groups, both regular and private. The examination centres include both government and private schools, with 256 centres designated for male students and 243 for female students. BSEK has established 19 Hub Examination Centres across 18 towns in Karachi for the IX and X-grade exams. These centres will be responsible for receiving and distributing exam papers. To maintain the integrity of the exams, strict instructions have been issued, prohibiting students from bringing mobile devices or any unauthorised materials to the exam centres. Any such items found will be confiscated, and students are warned against attempting to cheat. The board has also requested the imposition of Section 144 around exam centres, restricting external interference and requiring nearby photocopying shops to close during the exams. To oversee the exams, the board has established a reporting cell at its office to monitor and prevent cheating. An effective paper delivery system has been put in place, where board officials will deliver sealed exam papers to Hub Centres, which will then be collected by centre superintendents or their representatives. Vigilance officers will be present at each exam centre 30 minutes before the exam starts and will remain there throughout to prevent cheating. They will submit daily reports to the reporting cell at the board office, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed. With 375,000 students participating, the exams will take place across 499 centres, with 256 designated for boys and 243 for girls. The Chairman revealed that vigilance officers will sign the sealed envelopes in their presence to ensure the integrity of the exams. This measure is part of a collective effort by the government, district administration, and the board to prevent cheating, in line with the directives of the Sindh government. To facilitate a smooth exam experience, the board has also requested K-Electric to avoid load shedding during the exams, ensuring that students can take their exams in a conducive environment. The meeting was attended by BSEK Secretary Dr Naveed Ahmed, Examination Controller Zaheeuddin Bhutto, and other officials.
