Latest news with #ZafarIqbal
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PCJCCI hails FBR's move to withdraw ‘excessive' tax measures
LAHORE: Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) strongly welcomes the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) recent decision to withdraw the excessive and impractical tax measures proposed in the Federal Budget 2025–26. This reversal marks a critical step towards restoring business confidence and stabilizing Pakistan's fragile economic landscape. This decision, made possible through the direct support and intervention of Field Marshal General Asim Munir, reflects a deep understanding of the economic challenges facing the private sector and a genuine commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth. Zafar Iqbal, Acting President of PCJCCI, stated that the proposed tax measures would have directly impacted over 3.5 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs), threatened over 1.2 million jobs, and discouraged both local and foreign investment. Field Marshal Asim Munir's timely action has not only prevented this fallout but also sent a strong message of solidarity with the business community. He further added that Pakistan's GDP growth for FY 2024–25 was recorded at 2.4%, already below the projected 3.5% due to inflationary pressures and high interest rates. The industrial sector, contributing 19.1% to GDP, had shown a decline of 1.3% in the last quarter, mainly due to reduced business activity and investment uncertainty. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China declined by 18% in FY 2024 compared to the previous year, largely attributed to tax unpredictability and regulatory instability. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI said that the reversal of these policies paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation under CPEC Phase II and renewed investor confidence from China. We are confident that this business-friendly shift will lead to increased joint ventures, job creation, and SME development. He also added that we reaffirm our commitment to contributing towards a resilient and globally competitive economy through strengthened Pakistan-China business collaboration. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Satellite-based agricultural analytics: HBL MfB, SUPARCO sign MoU
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's agri-lending sector, HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce satellite-based agricultural analytics into the lending ecosystem. Under this initiative, the two organisations will jointly execute a pilot project in Okara District, one of Punjab's key agricultural zones. The pilot will involve remote pre-loan assessments using high-resolution satellite imagery, crop health analytics, yield estimation, risk profiling, and a scoring engine to assess farm-level creditworthiness. A secure API and dashboard interface will enable HBL MfB to integrate this data into its loan decision-making processes, eliminating the need for manual field verification. Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Amir Khan, President & CEO, HBL MfB, said, 'We at HBL Microfinance Bank are excited to be the first microfinance bank in Pakistan to collaborate with SUPARCO for Climate-Smart Agri Financing, under which satellite-powered analytics will be integrated into agricultural lending. As a leading microfinance bank, HBL MfB is well-suited to drive such innovations that benefit both our clients, and the microfinance sector. This partnership aligns with our vision of improving the quality of life of our customers through innovative financial solutions, and we are thankful to SUPARCO for partnering with us. Together, we are sowing the seeds of a smarter, data-backed future for Pakistan's agriculture sector.' Zafar Iqbal, Member (SAR), SUPARCO, remarked, 'SUPARCO proudly remains at the forefront of applying satellite technology for national development. This collaboration with HBL Microfinance Bank is a proud moment for us as we bring our Agricultural Geographic Information System into the financial sector for the very first time. We are confident that our analytics and insights will not only strengthen lending processes but also contribute meaningfully to agricultural productivity and rural uplift.' The next phase of the partnership includes post-loan satellite monitoring, enabling the Bank to track crop activity and raise early alerts in case of anomalies, ushering in a new era of risk management and lending transparency. The partnership is set to redefine how microfinance institutions approach agriculture lending in Pakistan, positioning HBL MfB and SUPARCO as the leaders in the emerging domain of agri-lending enabled by space technology. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Fox News
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession capped emotional farewell for matriarch Sharon and family: PHOTOS
"We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves," Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Zafar Iqbal said on Tuesday.
Fox News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne did not want his funeral to be a 'mope-fest'
Those who loved and adored Ozzy Osbourne will have a chance to pay homage to the legendary rock legend before he's laid to rest by close friends and family in a "small, private funeral." On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council announced plans to pay its final respects to Osbourne with a lively procession along the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon. "The hearse and accompanying vehicles will slowly make their way down Broad Street from 1pm to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes in recent days," the city announced. "The cortège will be accompanied by a live brass band performance by local musicians from Bostin' Brass, bringing a final musical moment to honour the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne." OZZY OSBOURNE DEAD AT 76 The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, JP, said it was "important" for the city to honor Osbourne in the city that he loved so much. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the 'Back to the Beginning' concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves." According to People, Osbourne — who died on July 22 — will be honored privately by his close family and friends with an intimate funeral. WATCH FOX NATION'S 'SHARON OSBOURNE: TO HELL AND BACK' "They're very grateful for the special family time they had together before Ozzy passed," a source told the outlet. "They're planning a small, private funeral that will be a celebration of his life. Ozzy would never want a mope-fest." The source said that the rocker's family, including wife Sharon, 72, and their children, Aimee, 41, Jack, 39, and Kelly, 40, is "touched by all the love and support pouring in from around the world." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In a "Dear Ozzy" column for The Times in 2011, Osbourne shared his wishes on what he hoped his future funeral would be like after a fan asked if it was "too morbid to plan your own funeral? Or is it a thoughtful gift for your surviving relatives?" "I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy," Osbourne wrote. "But I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest." OZZY OSBOURNE'S DEATH HAS TRIBUTES POURING IN FROM MUSIC LEGENDS AND CELEBRITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE "I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy. But I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest." — Ozzy Osbourne, 2011 "I'd also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death,'" he continued. "There'll be no harping on the bad times." "So to answer your question, yes, a bit of planning is the right thing to do for the family you leave behind," he said. "It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. So by any measure, most of us in this country — especially rock stars like me — are very lucky." "That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say 'thanks.'" On July 22, Osbourne's family announced the singer's death with a heartfelt statement. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," the family said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." Osbourne recently performed his final concert with the band in Birmingham, England. The 10-hour show on July 5 was hosted by Jason Momoa, and featured performances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Jack Black, Steven Tyler and more. OZZY OSBOURNE PERFORMS FINAL CONCERT WITH BLACK SABBATH BANDMATES AND MORE LEGENDARY ARTISTS The "Iron Man" singer was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003. However, he didn't speak publicly about his diagnosis until 2020. The Black Sabbath frontman — who struggled with a number of physical ailments over the years — admitted that he couldn't walk anymore on a Jan. 29 episode of his Sirius XM show, "Ozzy Speaks." "I may be moaning about how I can't walk, but I look down the road and there's people that didn't do half as much as me, and they didn't make it," he said at the time. Osbourne is survived by wife Sharon, daughters Kelly and Aimee, and son Jack, in addition to daughter Jessica, and sons Elliot and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
The Independent
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ozzy Osbourne procession ‘fitting tribute to working class hero'
The Ozzy Osbourne cortege through Birmingham was a 'fitting tribute' to a 'working class hero', the city's lord mayor has said. Sharon Osbourne and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears when they arrived at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers had been left. Councillor Zafar Iqbal said it was 'very emotional' to see Sharon, 72, and the family at the event, which drew huge crowds who chanted 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi'. Mr Iqbal hugged Sharon after she arrived in Broad Street alongside Osbourne's hearse on Wednesday afternoon, but told the PA news agency he wanted to keep what they said to each other private. He said: 'It was a very emotional thing when she came out of the car, I hugged her and she hugged me, it was a private moment. 'It was incredibly emotional for me to see her and the family. They are such a loving family and you can see how loving they are. 'I think Ozzy was so cared for, and the love they showed, the fans showed, and the city showed him today was incredible. 'This is our city, this is the greatest city in the world and this is what we can do.' Mr Iqbal added: 'It was very emotional and a great turnout with thousands of fans lining the streets. 'It was well organised, we looked after all the fans and I think it was a fitting tribute to a legend who was a Brummie through and through. 'Like his final gig, he came back home and we were proud to have him. 'I have been here since seven o'clock this morning talking to fans and the emotions were really high, people just loved Ozzy and you could really feel that when you were there. 'I think we should be a really proud city. 'I'm proud that we delivered one of the best send-offs I have seen in my time.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. Mr Iqbal said: 'I got to know him in the last few weeks when we gave him the freedom of the city and he was just so humble, so down to earth. 'He was a working class hero. 'I couldn't tell he was a rock star, he was just an ordinary guy, so caring. 'He had working class roots and he loved his fans, he loved his city, he always promoted Birmingham wherever he went, he was proud to have been born in Aston. 'His slogan was 'Birmingham Forever' and that makes me such a proud citizen. 'It was a last hurrah for him today.' Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse while it slowly passed through the city on Wednesday. Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, died at the age of 76 just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago. The Back to the Beginning concert on July 5 took place at Villa Park and saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, with Black Sabbath the last to appear on stage.
