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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Punjab govt outlaws tobacco-use in parks
Listen to article The Punjab government has declared all public parks across the province smoke-free zones, banning the use, sale, and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products under the federal anti-tobacco law. A notification issued by the provincial housing department extends the enforcement of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002, to recreational parks. The ordinance prohibits smoking in public spaces and restricts the sale and advertisement of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. Under the directive, all Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHAs) in Punjab have been instructed to install 'No smoking' signage within 10 days and begin strict enforcement. Offenders can face fines of up to Rs1,000 for a first violation, with harsher penalties for repeat offences. Park staff are empowered to eject violators, and designated enforcement officers may pursue legal action under Section 12 of the ordinance. Kiosks, food outlets, and vending stalls within parks are now barred from selling cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco-related products. The new policy targets both traditional and emerging nicotine products, aiming to curb use especially among minors and urban youth. Health officials referred to the potential of the move to reduce second-hand smoke exposure and discourage smoking in family-oriented spaces. 'This is a welcome initiative,' said Amina Tariq, a mother of two visiting the Jilani Park. 'Parks should offer a clean and safe environment, not only for recreation but for promoting healthy habits in our children.' According to experts, tobacco use is responsible for an estimated 164,000 deaths annually in the country and costs the national economy roughly Rs700 billion each year in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses. The industry contributed Rs298 billion in tax revenue last year. Pakistan ratified the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004. Despite this, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly regarding taxation, marketing restrictions, and regulation of newer products. There are no federal regulations governing e-cigarette use even as usage surges. A 2023 multi-city survey found that 43 per cent of urban youth reported current e-cigarette use, with many introduced through influencer campaigns lacking health warnings or age restrictions.
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PSB seeks PM's approval on Pakistan's participation in FIH Pro League
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has decided to seek the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the national hockey team's participation in the 2025–26 FIH Pro League, after the International Hockey Federation extended a formal invitation to Pakistan. The matter was discussed during the 34th PSB Board meeting chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah, where officials acknowledged the significance of the opportunity but flagged funding constraints. According to a statement issued after the meeting, PSB president Rana Sanaullah was authorised to take the matter forward. A formal letter outlining the rationale for Pakistan's participation and its objectives will be submitted to the Prime Minister for a final decision. The PSB stated that it currently lacks the necessary funds for participation and will refer the matter to the finance ministry for further consideration. The invitation from FIH came after New Zealand, who had qualified for the Pro League by winning the Nations Cup, withdrew from the upcoming edition. As runners-up, Pakistan was next in line and has been given until August 12 to confirm its participation. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which is facing a severe financial crunch, has estimated a requirement of Rs700 million to cover participation costs, which include overseas travel, hosting matches at home, and logistics over the six-month-long event scheduled from December 2025 to June 2026. Pakistan last missed the Pro League in 2019 after initially confirming their entry but later withdrawing due to a funding shortfall. The withdrawal led to a €170,000 fine imposed by the FIH. The upcoming edition of the Pro League will feature top-ranked teams including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, and Spain. The PHF has yet to formally respond to the FIH invitation and is awaiting clarity from the government on funding and approval.
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
A system that breeds fraud
EDITORIAL: In his briefing to the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee recently, FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) Chairman Rashid Langrial not only acknowledged that the potential volume of tax fraud in Pakistan could be as high as Rs700 billion, with sales tax fraud posing a particularly knotty challenge, he also conceded that its complete elimination remains unlikely. This is, in effect, an admission that there is something inherently wrong with the country's tax administration and overall taxation structure. While the FBR chairman readily owned up to the challenge posed by tax fraud and evasion, there remains within the tax bureaucracy a stubborn refusal to honestly reckon with the root causes of the country's dismal tax compliance. Firstly, there is a need to recognise that such huge levels of tax evasion cannot exist without the incompetence, and in too many cases, outright connivance of those manning the tax bureaucracy. But even more fundamentally, there is the structurally problematic over reliance on excessively high tax rates — rates that are not only steep but subject to frequent and accelerating increases — eroding public trust in and compliance with the system. For large segments of the economy, paying taxes at prevailing high rates has become substantially costlier than bearing the cost for evading them, yet the tax bureaucracy remains unwilling to confront the glaringly obvious truth: the higher the tax rate, the greater the temptation for evasion. The costs of evasion, such as bribing tax officials, are often significantly lower than the burden of full tax compliance in an environment of high rates. The chairman highlights sales tax fraud, yet in a country where the standard sales tax rate is 18 percent, and even higher in some cases, such high rates practically invite evasion. Anyone with even a basic grasp on tax policy can see then that the most effective way to broaden the tax net would be through lowering tax rates, but that understanding remains inexecutable in the absence of political will to tax all incomes irrespective of origin. Then there is the problem posed by a tax structure dependent on minimum tax on turnover, which is inherently punitive towards compliant taxpayers. Under this regime, even if an entity has incurred a loss and so certified by audit, it must still pay the legally mandated minimum tax on its revenue. How such a policy encourages businesses to join the tax net remains a mystery, as loss-making enterprises can easily be driven out of operation under this punishing framework, especially since Pakistani companies have to pay a minimum tax ranging from 0.5 to eight percent on turnover, irrespective of profitability. Essentially, this system penalises businesses for entering the tax net and for fully adhering to tax laws, while also undermining investment and suppressing broader economic activity. Added to this are the complications caused by high withholding tax rates. Not only do these remain exorbitant, but claiming and actually receiving refunds has become an increasingly onerous process. In many cases, businesses and individuals are unable to recover their dues without resorting to paying 'speed money' to relevant officials, creating yet another reason to simply stay out of the tax ambit than to expend effort and resources on documenting receipts, invoices and financial records for countless transactions only to be denied the full refund that is ultimately owed. We thus find ourselves trapped in a vicious, never-ending cycle. Multiple studies have highlighted the enormous cost of complying with Pakistan's complex and punitive tax system. A recent ADB study, for instance, clearly demonstrates the link between high rates, high compliance costs and increased tax evasion. Yet, judging by the prevailing attitude within the tax bureaucracy, there seems little hope that these legitimate concerns will be meaningfully addressed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Three men damage 15 vehicles with stones & sticks in Dhankawdi
1 2 Pune: Three men damaged 18 vehicles — 15 autorickshaws, two cars and a school van — with stones and sticks between 12.35am and 1am on Wednesday at Dhankawdi, and threatened residents with dire consequences if anyone intervened in their act of vandalism, claiming themselves to be local "Bhais" (strongmen). Sumit Rangnekar (42), a resident of the area, lodged a complaint with the Sahakarnagar police later in the morning. The trio damaged the windshield of his car. Deputy commissioner of police (Zone II) Milind Mohite told TOI, "The reason behind the vandalism is not known yet. Our team is studying the CCTV footage of the area, which shows the three men riding on a motorcycle and damaging the vehicles parked on a road. They have been riding triple-seat." You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Inspector Surekha Chavan of the Sahakarnagar police said, "The three men damaged the vehicles parked on the public road. A majority of the affected people are autorickshaw drivers, who stay nearby." An autorickshaw driver (48) said, "I had parked my autorickshaw on the road around 10.30pm on Tuesday. After parking my autorickshaw, I went home. I received a call from one of my friends around 1am, stating that someone damaged the windshield of my autorickshaw." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo He said, "Now, to repair the windshield, I will have to spend around Rs2,000. I also will miss two days' income, which is around Rs600 to Rs700 per day." DCP Mohite said, "We suspect that the case of vehicle vandalism is connected to another case of house ransacking in the area. A man celebrated his birthday with his second wife and two sons, and three sons of his earlier wife came to his house and ransacked it. The three men were seen leaving the same area on their motorcycle where the ransacked house is located. We are yet to arrive at any conclusion, though." Late on Sunday night, a gang of eight men damaged a grocery store and then damaged an autorickshaw. On Saturday evening, three people damaged eight vehicles in Kondhwa over an old rivalry.
Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan facing over Rs700bn tax fraud, NA's PAC body told
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chief Rashid Langrial on Thursday said Pakistan is facing tax fraud of worth over Rs700 billion. Briefing the sub-committee of NA's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), FBR chief said that sales tax fraud in Pakistan is alarmingly higher than in other countries. He estimated the potential volume of tax fraud at over Rs 700 billion, emphasizing that despite improvements in the system, the complete elimination of sales tax fraud remains unlikely. Finance Act expands definition of tax fraud He noted that Pakistan's current level of tax evasion has escalated significantly, though some success has been achieved in partially controlling sales tax-related fraud. The FBR chairman further stressed the need to enhance post-audit mechanisms and enforce strict penalties to curb the issuance of fake invoices. He also revealed that Rs200 billion were recovered during the last fiscal year following the clearance of tax litigation cases in courts. Langrial added that FBR has been granted powers to control tax fraud and recover dues from fraudulent cases. However, he cautioned that the recurring release of arrested tax evaders undermines deterrence and will not effectively prevent future fraud.
