Latest news with #SarmadAli
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tax evasion, smuggling: MoC and PRIME update Senate panel
ISLAMABAD: The meeting of the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, was held here Friday. The Ministry of Commerce and a private organization, PRIME, briefed the committee on issues related to tax evasion, counterfeit goods, and smuggling. The meeting was attended by Senators Faisal Saleem Rahman and Zeeshan Khan Zada. The committee was briefed on the basic functions of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) and was informed that PRIME is essentially a think tank established to assist government organizations in advancing ideas and policies for open trade and economic efficiency in Pakistan through its research. Dr. Ali Salman, Executive Director of PRIME, highlighted the issue of illicit trade of tobacco, medicines, and other items. He stated that such activities are mostly carried out in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu Kashmir, particularly in tax-free zones. He added that small units operating in these areas often avoid paying taxes and generate profits through illegal means. He also talked about the menace of smuggling of international cigarette brands which are sold in the market at very cheap prices, without any taxes and without any health warnings. The Convener of the Committee expressed concerns over the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs, which have failed to curb such activities. He directed that all relevant stakeholders be invited to the next meeting. Senator Zeeshan Khan Zada raised the issue of tobacco smuggling and suggested that a proper debate be held to address the problem. He emphasized that it is a matter of national interest and proposed that the Committee ask representatives from multinational companies, local companies, the Tobacco Growers Association, consumer rights groups, Pakistan Tobacco Board, the Ministry of Health, DG Track and Trace FBR, and IPOR for a holistic and sustainable solution. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
APNS supports armed forces
KARACHI: The APNS strongly condemns missile strike by India on the territory of Pakistan and pledges its resolve to support the state and armed forces of Pakistan to combat all threats to the independence and sovereignty of home land. Sarmad Ali President All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) in a press statement has stated that the attack by India in Pakistan territory is alarming threat to the peace and prosperity of the region and would cause unprecedented destruction of the people and economy of the region. He called for sanity to the jingoist leaders of India to stop their efforts to destabilize the region. Sarmad Ali assured the nation that the print media in Pakistan will play a positive and objective role in dissemination of authentic news and objective analysis to keep the people of Pakistan well informed. He regretted that the Indian media in general played on the tunes of the Hindutva driven extremist BJP government and spread fake news and war hysteria which is against the norms of objective journalism The President APNS assured all out support of the print media to the armed forces and the government of Pakistan to defend homeland against all aggression and threats from the Indian government. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
