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Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Naqvi assures KCCI: Efforts will be made to help UAE visa issue
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Interior & Narcotics Control, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, while acknowledging the growing concern over widespread visa rejections particularly by the UAE, informed that he would meet the UAE Interior Minister the day after tomorrow to discuss the matter and expressed optimism that a resolution would be reached, especially considering the challenges faced by Pakistani citizens, notably members of the business community who frequently travel to the UAE for trade and business engagements. He added that steps are also being taken to improve the global ranking of the Pakistani passport, which, he assured, would reach a significantly better position in the next two years, making Pakistanis proud of holding the green passport. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Interior Minister mentioned that Muharram was observed peacefully this year across Pakistan thanks to the efforts of Rangers, Civil Armed Forces, the Pakistan Army, and provincial governments. He noted a significant shift in strategy this year, with minimal mobile service suspension, limited only to specific sensitive areas, unlike previous years when blanket bans were imposed citywide. He assured that efforts are underway to make Karachi healthier, as a strong Karachi will positively impact the entire country. Addressing budget-related issues raised by KCCI, he committed to supporting their resolution and arranging meetings for deeper deliberation in this regard. Highlighting anti-smuggling efforts, he said that smuggling, once rampant, even of dollars, has been significantly curtailed over the past two years, though some challenges remain. He emphasized that smuggling is a 'termite' eating away at the economy, hindering industrial growth. The Pakistan Coast Guard (PCG), previously operating with only six boats along a 1,000+ km coastline, has been given two more boats, with plans to expand further by year-end. He stressed the need for better infrastructure and equipment to enable effective border security and anti-smuggling operations. Responding to KCCI's request regarding provision of CNIC and SIM verification at KCCI, the Minister noted that the Interior Ministry already has a setup in place and another is being developed. He assured that they will explore ways to provide KCCI access to this system for background checks before employment, enhancing security for the business community. Regarding the Safe City Project, the Minister reiterated that it is a top priority of the Prime Minister; as such systems are essential for crime prevention. Work on implementing this project in Karachi is underway, and every effort will be made to ensure its effective execution in the city to help reduce crime. In response to concerns over rising narcotics use, the Minister invited KCCI to collaborate with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to establish a rehabilitation center for 300 drug addicts, aiming to reintegrate them into society. He acknowledged that while crime in Karachi has not been entirely eliminated, the Sindh Police deserves credit for a notable reduction in criminal activity. 'Given Karachi's size and complexity, complete eradication is a challenge, but significant progress has been made', he added. On encroachments, the Minister stated that work is ongoing but emphasized the need for stricter laws, harsher punishments, and heavy fines to effectively address the issue and achieve meaningful results. Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, while highlighting encroachment as one of the most pressing issues in Karachi, stated that despite efforts by Rangers, the situation continues to deteriorate, with KCCI receiving increasing complaints about land grabbing and illegal occupation, yet no significant improvement has been observed. He noted that citizens have again started facing considerable difficulties in lodging FIRs, thanks to the strong re-eruption of the SHO culture, with instances of arbitrary arrests. To address this, he urged the Interior Minister to form special inspection teams that conduct surprise night visits to police stations to check for detentions made without FIRs. He also emphasized the urgent need for police reforms, pointing out that promotion from ASI to Sub-Inspector and SHO are often not based on merit, education, or performance. Salaries must also be revised upward to promote honesty and integrity within the police force. Motiwala proposed that the Ministry of Interior depute a liaison officer at KCCI, empowered to receive confidential complaints from the business community, similar to the arrangement made by former Interior Minister Rehman Malik. While acknowledging some improvement in law and order compared to previous years, he stressed that street crimes and snatching remain prevalent and must be tackled more effectively. He termed Karachi's water crisis as the most critical issue, noting that neither the general public nor industries are receiving adequate water. The K-IV project, Karachi's lifeline, has been redesigned 11 times but still remains incomplete. He pointed out that an estimated 250 MGD of water could be diverted through K-IV in its first phase to meet the city's dire needs, instead of being wasted and discharged into the sea. Motiwala also called for establishing a permanent liaison mechanism between KCCI and the Ministry of Interior, enabling swift communication and resolution during crises. He recommended that the Interior Minister visit KCCI at least once every two months to build stronger ties with the business community and maintain continuous engagement on critical issues. President KCCI Jawed Bilwani appreciated the effective strategy adopted by the Ministry of Interior for ensuring peaceful Muharram observance. While stressing the urgent need to curb smuggling, Bilwani proposed installing AI-based cameras with facial recognition at all entry and exit points, which would help prevent smuggling, kidnapping, snatching, and the inflow of criminal elements particularly during holy festivals. He also recommended installing barriers to stop unauthorized movement through 'Katcha' areas. He requested that the NADRA Executive Center at KCCI be equipped with CNIC verification and criminal background check facilities to assist businesses in hiring individuals with clean records. Additionally, a SIM verification facility should be provided to help identify numbers registered under specific CNICs and prevent misuse of identity information. Bilwani also expressed concern over the ineffective functioning of the Anomaly Committee, where valuable feedback from members was ignored and proper procedures were not followed. He warned that such neglect may harm business activity, increase unemployment, and worsen law and order. He also sought the Interior Minister's advocacy in shifting exporters back to the Final Tax Regime, warning that the high cost of doing business under the Normal Tax Regime could damage exports. Lastly, he raised alarm over the growing drug problem in schools and colleges, particularly the use of 'ice.' He called for strict action against traffickers and offered KCCI's full support in addressing this issue. Vice Chairman BMG Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Chairman Law & Order Subcommittee Akram Rana, former Presidents Majyd Aziz, Younus Muhammad Bashir, Junaid Makda, Muhammad Idrees, Tariq Yousuf, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, and other KCCI Managing Committee members and other attended the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
CTV News
05-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Residents evacuated as firefighters secure unstable building in Plateau
The Montreal fire department (SIM) was dispatched to an apartment building at risk of collapsing Friday evening in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. The building is located at the corner of Parc Avenue and Van Horne Avenue. Firefighters evacuated more than 15 people from adjacent buildings as a precaution. The fire department said it was securing the area and assessing the situation.
CBC
03-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Montreal invests millions to make firefighter gear safer, less contaminated
The City of Montreal is investing millions of dollars to improve the health and safety of firefighters, including purchasing new protective gear. In a news release on Thursday, the city said it would spend just under $6.4 million this year. The city is committing to set aside $3.2 million annually as of 2026. "Thanks to significant investments, the city is improving the traceability, the decontamination, the maintenance and the renewing of protective clothing, ensuring better protection against risks that firefighters are exposed to," reads the city's statement. "This initiative, done in collaboration with the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM), aims to secure safer working conditions for those who display bravery on a daily basis." In May, the province's workplace health and safety board, known by its French initialism CNESST, officially added six cancers to the presumptive cancer list, bringing that total to 15. When firefighters are diagnosed with a type of cancer that is on that list, they do not need to prove it was related to their work in order to get compensation. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia recognize between 18 and 20 types of workplace-related cancers for firefighters.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Jobless UP man's IDs used for Rs 250cr multi-state GST fraud, 5 held from Raj
Meerut: UP Police's Special Task Force (STF) arrested five men from Barmer district in Rajasthan on Thursday for allegedly running a multi-state GST evasion racket by using a jobless Muzaffarnagar man's stolen identity to create over 100 shell firms registered in Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, etc. , but operated in Karnataka. The fake firms were used to issue fraudulent bills to real companies, helping them evade crores of rupees in taxes, the quantum of which is still being assessed. The trail began on Sept 3 last year in Muzaffarnagar, when GST officials found a firm named AK Traders allegedly involved in a Rs 248 crore tax fraud. It was registered under Ashwani Kumar, a jobless man from Barsu village, who had no knowledge of the firm. He told officials he had shared his PAN and Aadhaar numbers over a phone call after being told he was applying for a job. He had also paid Rs 1,760 as a registration fee. The matter was handed to UP STF after an initial investigation. STF found that AK Traders, registered as scrap and marble traders, had issued e-way bills to seven shell firms. These firms passed on fake bills to over 100 fictitious companies in different layers, which then routed them to genuine businesses in several states of South India to help them avoid GST. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo ASP (UP STF) Brijesh Kumar Singh said the five accused — Ratna Ram, Om Prakash, Hanuman Ram, Budhram, and Santosh Kumar — were residents of Barmer and knew Labhuram and Suresh, the two masterminds from the same region. "They would lure job seekers, take their ID documents, use them to issue SIM cards and register companies on the GST portal," Singh told TOI. He said the five had shifted to Bengaluru two years ago and followed orders from Labhuram and Suresh to issue e-way bills. "They got paid Rs 3,000 for each bill issued," Singh added. The scam operated by shutting down each fake firm within days to dodge detection. "Since there were no actual purchases or sales, the firms avoided depositing any GST. The layering of firms was designed to confuse investigators and obscure the money trail," Singh said. Each company seeking a fake bill transferred money to the bank account of a bogus firm run by the masterminds. After deducting a 10–20% cut, the rest of the money was returned to the client in cash or into a different account they named. Singh said, "None of the GST collected was ever deposited with the govt. The companies were closed soon after issuance of bills, leading to losses worth crores."
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major mobile network with 18million customers unleashes huge free data boost for their cheapest plans
Get in quick before the offer runs out 4-GEE! Major mobile network with 18million customers unleashes huge free data boost for their cheapest plans A MAJOR mobile network operator is unleashing a huge boost in data allowance to 18 million of its customers for free. It comes on their basics plan, which is the cheapest entry-level package offered by the network. Advertisement 1 Vodafone UK will boost data allowance on mobile broadband Credit: Alamy New Vodafone customers will be able to access this extra data through their 4G SIM Only Basics plan. Details of the plan It will provide 21GB of data for just £7 a month, as well as unlimited minutes on UK calls and texts on a 12-month term. Customers can otherwise choose to get 80GB for £8, which is up from 50GB, 90GB for £10. They can also get 100GB for £12 a month, which is up from 70GB. Advertisement Read More Tech News safe zone Millions must activate 'strongest phone setting' that saves you from Wi-Fi spies The price will increase monthly by £1 from April next year. Claim the Vodafone deal Vodafone does make it difficult to find the Basics plan on their website. They also do not display it on their SIM Only deals page. The plan is designed to be very simplistic and don't include any support for 5G services, only 4G. Advertisement As stated on their website: "Vodafone Basics are our simple, everyday plans. "Vodafone Basics plans are capped so you never need to worry about going over your allowances. "This means, picture messages, International calls and Premium calls starting 09 are not available." Other features like international calls and texts, upgrades, OneNumber connectivity are not included in the plan, which has a maximum download speed 100 Mbps. Advertisement Vodafone also occasionally introduces changes to their mobile plans, and yet to state how long the new offers will run. GOOD CALL David Dickinson reveals how Brits can save money on their smartphone
