August 31, 2022 – Page 7 – PPI News Agency

August 31, 2022

Ambassador of Thailand hands over cheque of Rs6 million for flood relief assistance

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan Chakkrid Krachaiwong handed over a cheque of six million rupees for flood relief assistance to Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad in Islamabad today (Wednesday).

The ambassador informed the spokesperson the amount was collected in Thailand on behalf of Most Venerable Aryawangso, renowned Buddhist Monk. The cheque was handed over to the Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand Sahebzada Ahmed Khan in Bangkok.

The Ambassador also informed of assistance being arranged by the Thai Government for flood relief activities. The spokesperson expressed his gratitude to the Most Venerable and the people of Thailand for their love for Pakistan and solidarity in this difficult time.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

FBR exceeds August target despite 161% more refunds issued

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has released the provisional revenue collection figures for the month of August, 2022. According to the provisional information, FBR has collected net revenue of Rs. 489 billion during August 2022, which has exceeded the target of Rs. 483 billion against Rs. 448 billion collected during the same period, last year.

These figures would further improve after the book adjustments have been taken into account. These collections are the highest ever in the month of August. This outstanding revenue performance is a reflection of FBR’s resolve to build on its growth trajectory despite floods, zero rating on POL products, and import compression.

On the other hand, the gross collection increased from Rs. 462 billion during August last year to Rs. 526 billion, showing an increase of 14%. Likewise, the amount of refunds disbursed during August was Rs. 37 billion compared to Rs. 14.3 billion paid last year, showing an increase of 161%. This is reflective of FBR’s strong commitment to fast-track refunds and thereby prevent liquidity shortages in the industry.

The significant revenue increase in August is largely the outcome of various policy and revenue measures introduced by the government in Finance Act 2022. Unlike in the past, there is a visible focus on taxing the rich and affluent. Owing to this paradigm shift, the growth in domestic Income Tax is almost 38% which is a remarkable shift towards direct taxation. Likewise, there is a significant upsurge in Advance Tax collected during August, which is 72% increase from the corresponding period of the previous year.

Provisional collection of Income Tax, Sales Tax, Federal Excise and Customs Duty were respectively Rs.165 billion, Rs. 218 billion, Rs.24 billion and Rs. 82 billion as against Rs.124 billion, Rs. 223 billion, Rs. 23 billion and Rs.77 billion during the corresponding period of the previous year. Total taxes collected during July and August stands at Rs.948 billion against the target of Rs.926 billion.

For more information, contact:
Second Secretary (Public Relations)
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
FATE Wing, Federal Board of Revenue,
Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-9217267
Fax: +92-51-9208456
Email: mujeeb.talpur@fbr.gov.pk, talpur35@gmail.com
Website: https://www.fbr.gov.pk/

August 31, 2022

Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research meets

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):25 meeting of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFS and R) was held under the Chairmanship of Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, MNA, in the Committee Room of National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Chak Shahzad, Islamabad.

At the outset of the meeting, the Committee offered Fateha and extended deep sympathies and condolences with the families, who lost their loved ones in the current floods. The Chair observed that the entire nation is suffering from an extremely difficult time

The Committee members announces that the TA/DA allowances of the today Committee meeting should be given to the Prime Minister Flood Relief Fund. Managing Director (MD) Utility Store Corporation of Pakistan informed the Committee that Prime Minister of Pakistan approved 34 Mobile Utility Stores to facilitate the people of rural areas in the country.

Managing Director (MD) PASSCO informed the Committee that there is no shortage of wheat in the country but the PASSCO will face almost 40 million losses in the current floods. Additional Secretary Industries and Production assured the Committee that there is no shortage of fertilizer in the country. He further informed the Committee that a G to G agreement signed with the Government of Iran to meet the shortage of Urea in the country. The Committee directed that the prices of fertilizers should be monitored by the relevant authorities properly.

The Committee rejected the Calling Attention Notice No. 9 moved by Mr. Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, MNA and the Starred Question No. 132 moved by Sheikh Fayyaz Ud Din, MNA. MNAS, Mr. Riaz ul Haq, Ch. Muhammad Ashraf, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Mr. Zulfiqar Sattar Bachani, Mr. Kamal Ud-din, Syed Mobeen Ahmed and senior officers/ officials from the Ministry of NFS and R, Ministry of Law and Justice and NARC attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

Senator Saifullah Abro, Convener Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications Presiding over a Meeting of the Committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):A meeting of the sub-Committee on the Senate Standing Committee on Communications was held in Parliament Lodges, Islamabad. The meeting was convened under the Convenership of Senator Saifullah Abro; those who attended included Senator Danesh Kumar and Senior Officers from the Ministry of Communications. The sub-Committee reviewed various completed and ongoing projects by the National Highway Authority (NHA) from 2008 onwards, to identify cost overruns and the reasons for it.

The Committee was informed that there were 33 projects that were completed at increased cost, which was almost 13 percent more than the initial bid. Main reasons for increased costs of projects were difference between financial funds and financial phasing in PC-I; cost escalation; additional scope of work and land acquisition issues.

The Committee reviewed the Larkana – Khairpur Bridge Project; Lakhi- Naudero – Larkana project; Zhob – Mughal Kot Project and the Larkana – Moenjo Daro Road Project. The Hyderabad – Sukkur Road project was also discussed in detail.

The Committee showed displeasure regarding the submitted data and directed the Ministry to provide a detailed summary of the prequalification and bidding process. Convener Committee, Senator Saifullah Abro stressed the need for the prequalification process to be transparent and bids to be awarded on merit. He was of the view that following international standards in this regard would be helpful.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani addresses the 5th Inspiring Change Conference 2022, TEX Talks International

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani while addressing the 5th Inspiring Change Conference 2022 said that in-line with the global demands, we must continuously strive to attain a sustainable balance with our production and restoration of resources, so that we can reap maximum benefits as producers, suppliers, and buyers around the globe.

Sanjrani emphasized that Pakistan’s textile industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy and accounts for a major chunk of Pakistan’s total exports. Besides it provides direct employment to the country’s industrial workforce which is of immense importance, he further added.

Chairman Senate while addressing the audience said that Pakistan holds potential to expand its exports of textile goods. He said that this potential can only be realised if we conform to the latest research and technological advancements. “The industrialists should think out of the box, create synergies”, Sanjrani stated.

Chairman Senate said that being the largest manufacturing industry in Pakistan it has spread its grip globally and continues to prosper despite facing many challenges. Only with creative ideas and efficient manufacturing, we can compete with an ever-evolving global industry, he emphasized.

Chairman Senate urged the Textile industry to focus on and support endeavours for improving Pakistan’s cotton production by investing in high yield seeds and techniques. He said that better quality raw material for our own manufacturing, thereby saving foreign exchange and gaining much needed cost competitiveness in global textile markets.

Sanjrani congratulated TEXTalks International and all the sponsors and stakeholders for making this conference a success. Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Abdul Qadir, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural resources, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, Senator Zarqa Taimoor Suharwardi and others were also attended the event besides large number of people from textile industry.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

PM lauds British counterpart’s remarks of solidarity with flood victims in Pakistan

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has gratefully acknowledged British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s message of sympathy and support for the flood affectees in Pakistan. In a tweet on Wednesday, he said Pakistan is ground zero for climate-induced catastrophe and we look forward to our friends to step up to the plate and help the suffering humanity.

August 31, 2022

Envoy appeals to Pak-American Business Community to contribute towards rescue, relief efforts in flood-hit areas

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan met Pakistan-American Business Community of Chicago. The delegation included businessmen from various sectors of economy. The Ambassador appraised the delegation of the widespread devastation caused by unprecedented flood, which has inundated one third part of the Pakistan. The Ambassador appealed to them to contribute generously towards rescue, relief and recovery efforts. Business and investment opportunities in Pakistan were discussed during the meeting.

The Ambassador highlighted healthcare, agriculture and technology sectors as critical sectors where there existed huge opportunities for undertaking profitable business venture. Masood Khan said that the presence of 80 US multinational companies in Pakistan is testimony of attractive business opportunities existing in the country.

He urged the business community to diversify their products. The ambassador said, besides taking advantage of 220 million market of Pakistan, the business community should also target markets of Central and West Asia, Middle East and North Africa while doing business in Pakistan.