Latest news with #Rs240
Business Recorder
29-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Permission to KE to recover Rs50bn: Sindh PA speaks in unison against Nepra
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday witnessed strong cross-party consensus against Nepra's recent decision allowing K-Electric to recover Rs50 billion from Karachi residents through electricity bills. The move sparked protests from both the treasury and opposition benches, as lawmakers argued that the decision amounted to 'collective punishment' for power theft committed by a few. The issue was raised through a resolution presented by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Muhammad Aamir Siddiqui, who told the House, 'Nepra decided on July 18 that K-Electric would recover Rs50 billion from the public. This is unjust. Nepra has no right to penalize an entire area for the fault of one individual.' K-Electric write-offs: NEPRA allows Rs50 billion as 'full and final claim' Aamir Siddiqui said the failure of K-Electric to collect dues or curb theft was now being blamed on honest bill payers. 'They failed to stop electricity theft and couldn't collect the dues, but now they want to punish those who do pay. We wrote to Nepra, but instead of corrective action, they passed an illegal order. It must be withdrawn. This additional burden will start appearing in August bills,' he said. Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon supported the resolution, saying, 'This isn't just K-Electric. The same issue exists with HESCO and SEPCO. These companies punish people collectively, which is unconstitutional. When one person makes a mistake, the whole city is punished. In rural areas, one meter serves an entire village.' He recalled that he had filed a petition in the high court five years ago against such practices, which is still pending. 'Our responsibility is to protect the human rights of our people. We support this resolution fully,' Memon said. Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar said, 'This matter will be debated in detail tomorrow.' Acting Speaker Anthony Naveed gave his ruling that discussion on the resolution would be held on Tuesday. The Assembly was then adjourned until 1:30 pm the next day. Earlier during the session, the Sindh Control of Narcotics (Amendment) Bill was passed. Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar presented the bill, explaining that a new narcotics control department had been established in 2024 and that several related matters had reached the courts. 'Each district now has a designated narcotics judge. Earlier, such cases were handled by session or additional session judges. After this amendment, police will be empowered to handle narcotics cases under the new law,' he said. Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar added that independent courts would now be set up for these cases and that legislative loopholes had been addressed through the latest amendments. The Assembly rejected a call-attention notice moved by Aamir Siddiqui regarding an additional toll tax being collected between Karachi and Bahria Town. 'Citizens are paying Rs240 just to travel to and from Bahria Town. The federal government is collecting this toll, and it should be stopped,' Siddiqui urged. Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar opposed the motion, and Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed advised the member to bring a resolution instead. 'If you table a resolution, we will pass it and send it to the federal government,' he said. Meanwhile, during the question hour related to the Planning and Development Department, Parliamentary Secretary Sadia Javed responded to various queries from lawmakers. She provided updates on development schemes across the province and answered questions about the pace of ongoing projects. Responding to another call-attention notice raised by MQM's Shariq Jamal regarding rising crime in Model Colony, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar assured the House that maintaining public safety was the government's responsibility. 'We are trying to bring down crime rates. Despite criticism on social media, we have engaged with the community and business leaders to improve the situation,' he said. He added that reforms in traffic laws and policing were underway. 'We want citizens to feel safe when they visit a police station. We will also establish a model police station in Model Colony,' Lanjar announced. Later, in response to a notice by MQM's Rashid Khan concerning the closure of classes at Government College Kali Mori in Hyderabad, Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah said, 'This college is of historical significance. It was established in 1917. In 2018, the Assembly passed an act that the college would be upgraded to university level.' He clarified that although the college had been separated from the Colleges Department, it continued to function. 'There's a misconception on social media that the college is being shut down. That is not true. The act clearly states that the college will be managed by the university,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Markets closure triggers price hike
Stalls are bereft of customers following calls on social media for a strike against fruit vendors to protest against the price hike. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/Express Due to the four-day closure of wholesale and commission markets on the eve of Eidul Azha, the supply chain of vegetables and fruits was disrupted, causing prices to spiral completely out of control in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. With all 60 price control magistrates of Rawalpindi also on holiday, shopkeepers were given a free hand to charge arbitrary rates without oversight. The closure of tandoors, roadside eateries, fruit and vegetable carts, and small shops further added to the public's hardship, making even basic food and bread difficult to access. Throughout all three days of Eidul Azha, fruit and vegetable prices in the open market remained at record highs. Coriander, which is often given for free with purchases, was being sold for Rs5070 per bunch. Vendors charged Rs120 per kg for onions, Rs100 per kg for potatoes, Rs700 per kg for lemons, Rs100 per kg for tomatoes, Rs250350 per kg for apples, Rs250300 per dozen for bananas, Rs300 per kg for mangoes, Rs350 per kg for peaches, Rs70 per kg for watermelon, Rs110 per kg for melons, Rs300 per kg for loquat, Rs450 per box for cherries, and Rs300 per kg for falsa (grewia). Fresh milk was sold for Rs240 per litre, yogurt Rs250 per kg, and sugar Rs190 per kg. From today (Tuesday), all wholesale markets and mandi operations are set to resume.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IMF official visits amid budget talks
Listen to article The International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s regional director, Jihad Azour, is visiting Pakistan this week in the middle of negotiations for approval of the new budget, as both sides are taking time to converge on key issues of increasing taxes and rationalising expenses. Government sources told The Express Tribune that Jihad Azour, the IMF's Director for the Middle East and Central Asia, would also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit this week. Azour will also hold discussions with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The regional director is visiting Pakistan 10 days after the approval of the second loan tranche of the $7 billion programme, despite opposition from India. Azour's visit is a testimony to smooth relations between the lender and the borrower, despite New Delhi's negative campaign. Both the Ministry of Finance and the IMF resident representative remained tight-lipped about the purpose of the visit at a time when the IMF staff is already in Pakistan to reach an agreement on the new budget for fiscal year 2025-26. One senior government functionary said the government would take up some outstanding budget-related issues with the IMF director, particularly regarding major spending items. The IMF has imposed a new condition on Pakistan that the government must secure parliamentary approval of the new budget in line with the IMF staff agreement to meet programme targets. This leaves little space for the government to implement its own agenda, although PM Sharif wants to provide relief to the salaried class. The sources said the tax target, defence spending, and some grant-related issues were being discussed. The federal government has decided to allocate nearly Rs2.504 trillion for defence spending in the next fiscal year, which is 18% higher than this year's allocation. However, the IMF's staff-level report released on Saturday showed defence spending at Rs2.414 trillion, an increase of 12%. Some grants and subsidy allocations have also not yet been finalised. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday presented the taxation proposals for the next fiscal year to the prime minister. The PM was also briefed that the FBR's tax target may be around Rs14.07 trillion, which is roughly Rs240 billion less than the earlier mutually agreed target between the IMF and the government for fiscal year 2025-26, they added. However, there is a possibility that the government may substantially increase petroleum levy rates in the Finance Bill 2025. The IMF has projected petroleum levy collection at over Rs1.3 trillion for the next fiscal year, which could become the single largest non-tax revenue source if the government starts charging Rs100 per litre levy on petrol and diesel. The current rate is Rs78 per litre. The finance ministry will have to find space to adjust the Rs240 billion reduction in the earlier agreed target if the petroleum levy is not immediately increased to Rs100 per litre in the budget. For the outgoing fiscal year, the FBR's tax target has further dropped to Rs12.16 trillion after economic growth remained below the government's conservative estimates. The sources said the PM termed the proposed relief in income tax for the salaried class and the cut in super tax rates as insufficient. He directed tax authorities to provide significant respite to salaried individuals in consultation with the IMF. The sources said the PM stated in the meeting that providing relief to the salaried class was his top priority. Salaried individuals paid a whopping Rs437 billion in taxes in just 10 months of this fiscal year, which was Rs150 billion higher than the previous record. The FBR's claims before the prime minister and the IMF that it would compensate for the shortfall in taxes through enforcement measures and by settling litigation cases have proven incorrect. This has created a trust issue between the IMF and the FBR, said the sources. In addition to the standard 29% income tax from the corporate sector, the government also charges a 10% super tax, which might be reduced in phases. The FBR's single biggest failure was its inability to collect the IMF-set target of Rs36.7 billion from traders in nine months under the Tajir Dost Scheme. The IMF report revealed that collections were less than Rs4 million during the first half. For the next fiscal year, the IMF has dropped the Tajir Dost Scheme and proposed a new target, which may shift the focus away from retailers. The IMF and the government have agreed to collect a cumulative Rs531 billion in taxes from retailers in the next fiscal year, including other applicable taxes.
Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sky-high rates worry animal buyers
A rapid surge in inflation this year has significantly impacted the prices of sacrificial animals in Rawalpindi, with both small and large animals nearing the highest price levels in the country's history. As a result, performing the religious ritual of Qurbani (sacrifice) has become increasingly difficultif not impossiblefor the lower and middle-income segments of society. With less than a month remaining until Eidul Azha, the sale of sacrificial animals has begun in various neighborhoods and streets despite official restrictions. Livestock traders from other cities have also started arriving in Rawalpindi and the Cantonment area. Sales are already underway in several parts of the city, including Bani Chowk, Ghazni Road, Saddar Chungi 22, Bakra Mandi Road, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and from Rawat to Sawan Camp. Meanwhile, official government-designated cattle markets for sacrificial animals will begin operations from May 28. Street vendors and local sellers are currently demanding up to Rs110,000 for small goats and sheep (standard quality), Rs150,000 to Rs170,000 for medium-sized goats and sheep, up to Rs200,000 for high-quality goats and sheep, while Rs300,000-Rs500,000 for premium or aesthetically appealing goats and sheep. They are seen demanding up to Rs240,000 for standard bulls, Rs300,000 for medium-sized bulls, Rs400,000-Rs450,000 for good quality bulls, Rs700,000 to Rs1 million for premium bulls, and Rs450,000 to Rs1m for camels. A particularly rare and powerful animal from the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Skarduthe Yak, known for its strength and ability to carry heavy loadsis available on special order for Rs550,000 to Rs1m. However, it must be kept in a temperature-controlled environment as it originates from icy, high-altitude regions. Purchased yaks are delivered directly from Gilgit-Skardu to the buyer's home.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Prices of kitchen items witness mixed trend
PESHAWAR: Mixed trend in prices of important kitchen items including live chicken/meat, sugar, flour, vegetables, cooking oil/ghee, pulses and others was witnessed in the retail market, according to a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Sunday. The survey noted the price of live chicken has increased at Rs405/kg from Rs395/kg, showing an increase of Rs10/kg in the open market. Price of farm eggs dropped as available at Rs240/kg against price of Rs260/dozen in the retail market. Butchers have sharpened their knives as they are openly violating the official price list and charged consumers with self-imposed rates. Cow meat was available at Rs1100/kg against the fixed price by local administration at Rs800-900/kg while boneless meat is being sold at Rs1300/kg in the open market. Price of mutton beef touched at Rs2500/kg in the open market. A nominal increase was also witnessed in prices of various varieties and brands of cooking oil/ghee in the open market, the survey said. One kilogram of sugar was available at Rs145/kg against the price Rs165/kg, showing decrease of Rs20/kg in the retail market. Prices of tomato have dropped as available at Rs50 and 60 and Rs70/kg against the price of Rs100/kg in the open market, according to the survey. Similarly, the price of onion has also plunged as being sold at Rs70-80/kg against the price of Rs100/kg in the previous week while some vendors and dealers charge a self-imposed price in the retail market. Ginger and garlic remained unchanged as being available at Rs800/kg and Rs400 and Rs600/kg respectively. Green chilli was being sold at Rs120/kg. Prices of other veggie prices remained high in the open market. Peas was being sold at Rs100/120/kg against the price of Rs150/kg, capsicum at Rs100/kg, ladyfinger Rs80/kg, curry Rs70/kg and Kachalu Rs150-200/kg, turnip at Rs120/kg Eggplant (bringle) Rs100/kg, Zucchini (tori) Rs100/kg, Tinda Rs100/kg, lemon was being sold at Rs200/kg. Arvi was available at Rs100-120/kg, cabbage at Rs100/kg, red coloured potatoes available at Rs70/kg while white coloured potatoes are sold at Rs50/kg in the retail market. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
