Latest news with #Qamar
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Khalilur Rehman Qamar claims talk show clash on 'Taghoot' was staged
Listen to article Pakistani screenwriter and poet Khalilur-Rehman Qamar has made a startling claim regarding last year's viral 'Taghoot scandal,' stating that the controversial talk show confrontation was 'pre-planned' and not spontaneous. Speaking on a podcast this week, Qamar alleged that the televised clash between Islamic scholar Saahil Adeem and a female guest was orchestrated for dramatic effect. The episode, aired in June 2024, had sparked nationwide debate over gender roles, religious authority, and freedom of expression. Qamar claimed that the show's producers intentionally staged the conflict to provoke public outrage and media attention. 'It wasn't an accident. The narrative was scripted to reach a certain climax,' he said. According to Qamar, as soon as Saahil Adeem referred to women as ignorant, he was about to intervene to clarify that ignorance is not exclusive to women — he considers anyone who hasn't read the Holy Quran with translation, whether male or female, to be ignorant. However, before he could speak, a female participant interrupted, and the direction of the discussion took a sharp turn. Khalilur-Rehman Qamar also expressed his astonishment at the woman's demand for an apology from a scholar like Saahil Adeem. In his view, everyone makes mistakes, but what triggered his anger was the perceived disrespect. He stated that the entire incident clearly shows the producers' intention was to create provocation and extract a specific type of reaction — and that they succeeded in doing so. The programme, aired in June last year, featured Saahil Adeem making harsh remarks about women. He claimed that if 100 women were surveyed, he would find 95% to be ignorant, obsessed only with makeup and TikTok, and unaware of fundamental Islamic concepts such as 'Taghoot'. In response, a participant named Azbah Abdullah protested against his statements and demanded an apology. The situation quickly escalated into a heated exchange. Adeem questioned whether the young woman even knew the meaning of 'Taghoot'. When she admitted she didn't, he declared that this was precisely what ignorance was — and that she should accept it. The argument didn't stop there. The woman countered that the reason many women are deprived of knowledge is due to a patriarchal society, but Saahil Adeem disagreed, insisting that calling out ignorance is a religious obligation. During the heated discussion, Qamar also lost his composure. He expressed anger at the young woman, stating that if listening to Arabic verses was painful for her, it was unacceptable. He then asked the host to cut her microphone — a moment that intensified the controversy. The episode quickly went viral on social media. Now, nearly a year later, Qamar's revelation that the entire incident was 'scripted.'
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh to establish first Silicon Valley-style tech zone in Karachi
The Sindh government has received formal approval to develop the province's first Special Technology Zone (STZ) on a 500-acre site within Karachi Education City, Gadap. The project, greenlit by Pakistan's Special Technology Zone Authority, aims to transform the area into a hub for cutting-edge innovation modeled after Silicon Valley. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Sindh Chief Minister on Investment, confirmed that eight major domestic and foreign investors have already expressed interest in the zone. The STZ will focus on smart manufacturing, housing institutions specializing in automation, cybersecurity, health tech, agri-tech, blockchain, 5G networks, and clean energy solutions. 'This Special Technology Zone will prove to be the best junction for the integration of academia and industry,' Qamar stated, emphasizing the zone's potential to drive technological advancement and generate employment. The development aligns with broader efforts to position Karachi as a regional tech leader, offering youth access to modern education and high-skilled job opportunities. He said that this Special Technology Zone will promote latest technology and education in the province and create vast opportunities for education and employment for the youth. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that development work on the master plan based on the roadmap for the establishment of the Special Technology Zone is going on rapidly and this zone will soon become functional and will provide opportunities for education, latest technology and employment in the province.
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Exporters face double tax blow
Listen to article A senior tax official said on Thursday that 18% sales tax will be imposed on imported raw materials being used in exportable goods, amid a bizarre contradiction in the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s policy to 'compel' Pakistan to simultaneously charge minimum and standard income tax rates from exporters. The Member Tax Policy of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Dr Najeeb Memon, disclosed on Thursday that the IMF had asked the FBR to retain 1% minimum income tax on exporters while introducing the standard 29% income tax due to a lack of certainty about the revenues from the new measure. Before the last budget, the exporters were subject to only 1% income tax under the final tax regime, which the government changed to the standard 29% rate. The member policy made the disclosure in a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that discussed the issue of charging double taxes from the exporters. Such double taxation was also contrary to international best practices. The committee members and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) proposed that the FBR should withdraw the 1% minimum income tax after it had already started charging 29% income tax. However, Memon disclosed that the minimum tax on the gross receipts of the exporters cannot be withdrawn because the IMF had asked to retain it for at least two to three years. "It is highly unfair to simultaneously retain both the regimes of minimum and standard income tax," remarked Chairman of the Standing Committee, Syed Naveed Qamar of the PPP. He went on to say that the FBR did not want to work and was comfortable collecting taxes by sitting in their rooms. There was no immediate independent verification of the FBR's claim about the IMF. There have been incidents in the past where the FBR used the name of the IMF to impose certain taxes for the sake of its own revenues. Memon said that it was the IMF that asked, in order to remain certain, the government should retain both the minimum income tax and introduce the standard rate too. He explained that the minimum tax was not refundable and the exporter has to pay both levies. Qamar also expressed displeasure about the absence of FBR Chairman, Rashid Langrial, from the committee meeting. Memon said that Langrial was in the IMF meeting. However, the Standing Committee chairman replied that he was coming from the IMF-PM luncheon meeting and the FBR chairman was not there. Due to the absence of the FBR chairman, Qamar refused to take up the government's tax-related bill for approval. He deferred the discussion on the Income Tax Second Amendment Bill, which the government has proposed to restore 25% income tax credit for the teachers. According to the proposed amendment, the tax payable by a full-time teacher or a researcher employed in a non-profit education or research institution duly recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), a Board of Education or a university recognised by the HEC, including government research institutions, shall be reduced by an amount equal to 25% of tax payable on his income from salary. However, this exemption will not be available to teachers of the medical profession who derive income from private medical practice or who receive a share of consideration received from patients. The rebate has been proposed to be restored with effect from the first day of July 2022 and shall cease to have effect after tax year 2025. The committee also discussed the issue of the imposition of 18% sales tax on local raw materials meant for use in exports. The tax had been imposed in the last budget. There is a likelihood that imported raw material will also be taxed at the rate of 18% in the budget after the government imposed such tax on the local supplies for exportable goods, said the member tax policy. His comments came after the members of the committee and the KCCI demanded withdrawal of the 18% sales tax that had been levied on the local supplies of exporters in the last budget. MNA Arshad Abdullah Vohra said that the local manufacturers of raw materials were facing a big crisis after the government imposed the 18% tax in the last budget but did not impose such tax at the import stage. Last time, the IMF might have overlooked it, but this time the 18% tax will be imposed on imports too, said Memon.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Khalilur Rehman Qamar challenges trial court verdict in honey trap case
Listen to article Renowned Pakistani playwright Khalilur-Rehman Qamar approached the Lahore High Court on Tuesday to overturn a trial court's decision in the case pertaining to his abduction. Qamar filed an appeal against the acquittal of the accused, including Aamna Urooj. According to legal sources, the appeal was filed through Advocate Mudassir Chaudhry, requesting the high court to set aside the trial court's verdict and ensure punishment for the accused in accordance with the law. The petition asserted that the accused had confessed to the crimes before the police during interrogation, but the trial court failed to properly assess the facts and evidence presented. He argued that the lower court's judgment was flawed and did not reflect the severity of the offences. Read: Three convicted in playwright's 'honey trap' case The case stems from a high-profile incident on 15 July 2024, when Qamar was allegedly abducted and robbed after being lured to Amina Arooj's residence on the pretext of discussing a drama project. He was released after a ransom payment, and reported the crime on 21 July. The case involves serious allegations of kidnapping and blackmail, with Qamar maintaining that he was a victim of a targeted honey trap orchestrated by the accused. His legal team claims he was forcibly held by armed men. However, Amina Arooj's lawyer disputes the narrative, stating Qamar's manager initiated contact under professional pretences which later turned personal, alleging inappropriate demands by Qamar. Earlier, the Anti-Terrorism Court indicted Amina Arooj and 11 co-accused, including Hasan Shah and Tanveer Ahmed. The challan submitted by the prosecution declared all 12 individuals guilty, based on the investigation. The case is being heard by Judge Arshad Javed, with the next hearing set for 20 December, when prosecution witnesses are expected to testify.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Express Tribune
65 inmates set free during surprise jail inspection
Six Britons were released from an Indian prison on Tuesday,PHOTO: REUTERS In a bid to provide relief to inmates involved in petty offences, Additional Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali Qamar on ordered the release of 65 prisoners during his surprise inspection of Lahore's two major prisons Kot Lakhpat Jail and Camp Jail. According to prison authorities, Judge Qamar visited Kot Lakhpat Jail where he was received by Superintendent Ejaz Asghar. During his inspection, he ordered the immediate release of seven prisoners, including one female inmate, who were serving sentences for minor offences. Later, the judge proceeded to Camp Jail where Superintendent Zaheer Warraich welcomed him. During his visit, he ordered the release of 58 inmates from the facility.
