Latest news with #PKI
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Farmers warn govt against GST imposition on agri inputs
LAHORE: The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has warned the government against imposing general sales tax (GST) on agricultural inputs in the upcoming budget, stating that such a move would deal a final blow to the already struggling agricultural sector and further damage the national economy. 'The government should instead take immediate steps to reduce the cost of agricultural production,' said PKI President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar during a press conference on Monday. Khokhar accused the current leadership of pursuing policies that serve their political interests at the expense of farmers, causing irreparable damage to the sector and contributing to a sharp decline in crop production. 'Around the world, agriculture and food security are considered top priorities by governments. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the sector is being undermined due to pressure from international financial institutions,' he said. Flanked by fellow PKI members, Khokhar highlighted the country's rapid population growth, warning that Pakistan is adding hundreds of thousands of mouths to feed every year. 'If we fail to stabilise and strengthen our agricultural system, we are heading toward catastrophe,' he warned. He further criticised the imbalance in taxation, noting that while there is no tax on imported cotton, locally grown cotton is subject to 18% GST. 'As a result, cotton production has plummeted from 14.7 million bales to just 5 million,' he said. He added that the country's import bill continues to swell due to the increasing reliance on imported food, while exports of key crops like mangoes, kinnow, and maize have halved in the past year. The PKI representatives emphasized that they are not seeking charity - only fair returns for their produce in line with international standards. 'Farmers should be able to earn a reasonable profit for their hard work,' they insisted. Khokhar painted a grim picture of farmers' current conditions, saying many are in rags and unable to apply adequate amounts of fertilizer or other inputs to their fields, resulting in declining per-acre yields. 'Farmers don't even have enough money to meet household expenses. Some have even had to postpone their daughters' weddings due to poor returns on their wheat crops,' he lamented. The PKI also rejected the Rs 15 billion relief package announced for wheat growers, calling it grossly insufficient against the estimated Rs 1,600 billion in losses. Khokhar urged the Punjab agriculture minister to fulfill his responsibility and work actively to improve the livelihoods and well-being of farmers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Farmers warn govt against GST on agricultural inputs
LAHORE: The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has warned the government against imposing general sales tax (GST) on agricultural inputs in the upcoming budget, stating that such a move would deal a final blow to the already struggling agricultural sector and further damage the national economy. 'The government should instead take immediate steps to reduce the cost of agricultural production,' said PKI President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar during a press conference on Monday. Khokhar accused the current leadership of pursuing policies that serve their political interests at the expense of farmers, causing irreparable damage to the sector and contributing to a sharp decline in crop production. 'Around the world, agriculture and food security are considered top priorities by governments. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the sector is being undermined due to pressure from international financial institutions,' he said. Flanked by fellow PKI members, Khokhar highlighted the country's rapid population growth, warning that Pakistan is adding hundreds of thousands of mouths to feed every year. 'If we fail to stabilise and strengthen our agricultural system, we are heading toward catastrophe,' he warned. He further criticised the imbalance in taxation, noting that while there is no tax on imported cotton, locally grown cotton is subject to 18% GST. 'As a result, cotton production has plummeted from 14.7 million bales to just 5 million,' he said. He added that the country's import bill continues to swell due to the increasing reliance on imported food, while exports of key crops like mangoes, kinnow, and maize have halved in the past year. The PKI representatives emphasized that they are not seeking charity - only fair returns for their produce in line with international standards. 'Farmers should be able to earn a reasonable profit for their hard work,' they insisted. Khokhar painted a grim picture of farmers' current conditions, saying many are in rags and unable to apply adequate amounts of fertilizer or other inputs to their fields, resulting in declining per-acre yields. 'Farmers don't even have enough money to meet household expenses. Some have even had to postpone their daughters' weddings due to poor returns on their wheat crops,' he lamented. The PKI also rejected the Rs 15 billion relief package announced for wheat growers, calling it grossly insufficient against the estimated Rs 1,600 billion in losses. Khokhar urged the Punjab agriculture minister to fulfill his responsibility and work actively to improve the livelihoods and well-being of farmers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Hyprop and PKI compete for control of MAS after escalating bids
JSE and Altx-listed central and eastern Europe property investment group MAS has received offers to buy out its shareholders from Prime Kapital Investment Holdings (PKI) and South African retail-focused property Hyprop. A bidding war may have started for JSE and Altx-listed central and eastern Europe property investment group MAS, between Prime Kapital Investment Holdings (PKI), which on Wednesday doubled its cash offer to a maximum of €80 million (R1.43 billion), and South African retail-focused property Hyprop. PKI's lifting of its offer for 65% of MAS followed a notice by Hyprop a day before that it wishes to acquire control of MAS in a share-for-share or share-for-cash deal, which would be determined based on the closing market price of MAS shares on May 23, 2025, rather than the lower PKI cash offer price of €0.85 per MAS share, as announced by MAS on May 16, 2025. PKI has subsequently increased its cash offer from €0.85 per share to €1.10 per share. PKI is a real estate developer, investor, and operator in Central and Eastern Europe, specialising in retail, residential, office, and mixed-use developments.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
India goes digital with e-passports: Is it time to upgrade yours?
The age of digital travel has officially arrived in India. Now that the government is implementing chip-enabled e-passports in a few places, Indian tourists will now be able to experience improved security, quicker immigration, and worldwide compatibility. The introduction promises a safer and more intelligent method of crossing foreign borders, marking a major improvement over the conventional passport booklet. What is an e-passport, though, and is it necessary for existing passport holders to convert? Here's all that you need to know. What is an Indian e-passport? An Indian e-passport is a modern travel document that combines the traditional paper booklet with an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna. The passport holder's biometric and personal data, including fingerprints and photos, are safely stored on this chip. These passports are recognised by a unique gold-colored insignia on the front cover. Processing at immigration checkpoints is made faster and more secure by the use of this technology. Key benefits of e-passports Enhanced security : Digitally signed biometric data, secured by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), is stored on the integrated chip in e-passports. This security framework ensures the legitimacy and integrity of the data, making it difficult to fabricate or change the passport. Streamlined immigration : e-Passports enable automated and contactless verification at border controls, significantly reducing wait times and enhancing the travel experience. Global compatibility : Indian e-passports, which adhere to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, will allow Indian nationals to enjoy hassle-free travel abroad, as these chip-based passports are recognised and acknowledged at immigration checkpoints in most parts of the world. Fraud prevention : By discouraging counterfeiting and unauthorised changes, advanced security elements in e-passports shield users against fraud and identity theft. Read more: Beginner's guide: 10 countries first-time solo travellers can visit Is it mandatory to replace existing passports? No, holders of valid passports are not obliged to switch to electronic passports. Conventional passports will continue to be valid until they expire. For new applicants and those renewing their passports, the switch to electronic passports is being made gradually. Where are e-passports being issued? As part of the Passport Seva Program (PSP) 2.0, the Indian government launched e-passports on April 1, 2024, in a pilot phase. Currently, selected passport offices in cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Nagpur, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Ranchi are equipped to issue e-passports. There are plans to expand this facility to more centers in the near future. Read more: 8 lesser-known hill stations cooler than Shimla How to apply for an e-passport The current online passport application procedure can be used by citizens to apply for an e-passport. The new chip-enabled passport will be issued to applicants throughout the application or renewal procedure if the relevant passport office is prepared to issue e-passports. In the upcoming months, a phased deployment of the government's efforts to allow all passport offices nationwide to issue e-passports is anticipated. With the launch of these passports, India moves ahead to improve national security and make foreign travel easier for its Government encourages residents to choose the new, safe, and internationally accepted travel document when they apply for or renew their passports, even if current passport holders are not required to use e-passports. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Globe and Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
SEALSQ Announces Results of Its 2025 Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of Shareholders Held on May 19, 2025
Geneva, Switzerland, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announced results of its 2025 Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of Shareholders, held in person in NYC on May 19, 2025. During the meeting, shareholders voted in favor of all resolutions put forward, including the re-election of the current seven board members (five of whom are non-executive directors), each for a one-year term extending until the conclusion of the 2026 AGM: Ruma Bose (non-executive) Cristina Dolan (non-executive) David Fergusson (non-executive) Joao Carlos Creus Moreira (executive) John O'Hara (executive) Eric Pellaton (non-executive) Peter Ward (non-executive) The SEALSQ shareholders approved the election of a new member to the company's Board of Directors as a non-executive director, for a one-year term extending until the conclusion of the 2026 AGM: Hossein Rahnama (non-executive) The AGM provided an opportunity for management to present a comprehensive financial and operational overview of SEALSQ's performance since its listing. This included discussions on key financial metrics, strategic initiatives, growth prospects, market trends, and strategic objectives aimed at ensuring sustained value creation for shareholders. The Company had previously issued its 2024 Annual Report, including financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. The report is available at Shareholders as of April 25, 2025 ('the Record Date') were entitled to attend and vote either in-person at the AGM, or by giving electronic or written voting instructions to their independent voting rights representative. The votes in favor of all resolutions reflects the confidence and support of SEALSQ's shareholders in the company's direction and governance, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. About SEALSQ: SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable. SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries. For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit Forward-Looking Statements This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC. SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
