Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan International Airlines announces special discount for students

    Pakistan International Airlines announces special discount for students

    In an effort to promote goodwill and support the academic pursuits of students, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced an enticing offer in celebration of International Students Day. 

    The national flag carrier is now offering an exclusive 20 per cent discount, along with an impressive 80 kg luggage allowance, for students traveling on its flights to China. 

    This special promotion is part of PIA’s ongoing initiatives to attract passengers and rejuvenate its operations following significant financial challenges caused by fuel shortages.  

    It is noteworthy that the airline resumed its weekly flights to China in August, re-establishing the Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad route. 

    Students, being a crucial demographic for air travel, can now enjoy substantial cost savings as they embark on their educational journeys or return home for holidays. 

    This offer is particularly advantageous for those traveling the Islamabad-Beijing route, with the weekly flight taking place every Sunday.  

    PIA is also considering extending students’ baggage allowance when traveling between Pakistan and China, providing an additional benefit to those taking advantage of this limited-time offer. 

    This announcement follows PIA’s recent initiatives to attract passengers, such as a 15 per cent discount on tickets for flights from Toronto to Pakistan.  

    Additionally, the airline recently reduced ticket prices for Umrah by up to Rs6,000, showcasing a concerted effort to meet diverse passenger needs and preferences. 

  • FBR restructuring: 145 offices set up to add 2 million new taxpayers

    FBR restructuring: 145 offices set up to add 2 million new taxpayers

    In a bid to streamline operations, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set up 145 district tax offices, aiming to bring in 1.5 to 2 million new taxpayers by June 2024. 

    Highlighting the significance of revenue and the need to increase the number of tax filers, the Prime Minister also stressed these goals in recent meetings.  

    The initiative is geared towards expanding the tax base, ultimately achieving the desired tax-to-GDP ratio. 

    Heading these offices are district tax officers responsible for compelling income tax returns from non-filers and preventing lapses from existing filers.  

    This marks a pivotal step in bridging the critical tax gap and incorporating all potential taxpayers into the system. 

    The newly established offices, led by dedicated Inland Revenue Officers in BS-17/18, will leverage third-party data obtained from various departments to track information on asset investments and significant expenditures by potential taxpayers.   

    This approach aims to curtail avenues for individuals evading taxation, particularly in terms of registration and filing returns. 

    The department will invoke the recently introduced Section 114B in the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, to enforce compliance, enabling it to disconnect utility connections (such as electricity and gas) and block mobile SIMs if returns are not filed in response to issued notices. 

    A new documentation law is also in the works to mandate agencies and departments to provide data to the FBR through an automated common transmission system. 

    The Federal Board of Revenue has sought collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and the Chairman of NADRA is ensuring assistance for the expansion of the tax base through data integration. 

    This comprehensive initiative not only strengthens the FBR’s capacity to enforce tax laws but also facilitates taxpayers by establishing dedicated offices, ultimately fostering a more efficient and effective taxation system. 

  • ‘Content creators are selling their families for influence’: Fahad Mustafa

    ‘Content creators are selling their families for influence’: Fahad Mustafa

    Actor and producer Fahad Mustafa was a guest on Shoaib Akhtar’s show where he was asked about the rise of social media influencers and content creators in Pakistan and whether he would accept them as co-actors in any drama he works in. The ‘Mayi Ri’ producer responded with a scathing remark on the lengths people from this profession are willing to go to for the sake of going viral.

    “They are selling their families for content,” asserted the actor. “Their content is making kheer in the kitchen, rubbing their mother’s feet and then going as far as visiting a graveyard…Matlab yeh kya hai, yeh kaunsa content hai?” [What is this, what kind of content is this?]

    Fahad further explained he would never want to be known for this kind of work. “I can tell both good or bad story, but I will never sell my house for the sake of views. I will never sell myself this way.”

    The ‘Mein Abdul Kadir Hoon’ actor further compared content creators to those working in the acting industry, and pointed out how such influencers would never survive in such an industry because of the extensive time it took to produce a project.

    “If you ever go on a shoot, or you’re sitting on a set here, it takes time,” shared Fahad. “There’s a process. They can’t work longer than two or eight hours. And how would they understand? They have their phone and can make something in 10 seconds.”

  • X user wins hearts by sharing story of inter-faith marriage of Palestinian parents

    X user wins hearts by sharing story of inter-faith marriage of Palestinian parents

    An X (formerly Twitter) user, Beisan, is winning hearts on social media by sharing the love story of her Palestinian parents. Beisan revealed her parents, a Muslim man and his Christian wife, have been married for over 40 years.

    In her next post, Beisan shared that inter-faith marriages were not permitted in Israel, where under the law, interfaith unions are not legally recognised. Because of this, her parents had to move to Canada in order to legalise their union.

    Twitter users were moved by Beisan’s dedication to her parents, a reminder of the enormous love Palestinian men hold for their families.

    A user shared: “In high school I went on a trip to Nippissing & the weather was colder than I packed for. When I got home & told my father he was furious that I didn’t call him to bring sweaters, it was only a 3 hour drive. It’s hard to describe the intensity of a Palestinian father’s love.”

  • Filipino Catholic nun chooses to stay behind in Gaza, defying mandatory evacuation

    A 63-year-old Filipino nun is making international headlines by defying the Philippine government’s evacuation attempts and choosing to stay in Gaza. Since the genocide began on October 7, the Philippine government has successfully evacuated 111 civilians from the region. However, the unnamed nun who is from the Missionaries of Charity, has chosen to remain as the last Filipino in Gaza.

    Most of the evacuees were forced to leave family residents behind.

    The Philippines Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega spoke to Arab News about the nun and how her defiance of the Filipino government makes her a symbol of “Filipino spirituality”:

    “She’s with the Missionaries of Charity… they will not leave. After all, they believe…that (what they are doing) is spiritual,” he said.

    “She will be the last Filipino left in Gaza, (and) is a symbol of Filipino spirituality and how we pray for solidarity with those suffering, and for world peace.”

    Dr Vega reported the nun is safe right now. The Philipine DEmbassy of Jordan has remained in touch with her, to whom she had simply asked to ‘pray for her’.

    Several other Filipino’s in Gaza have expressed uncertainty in leaving because of their attachment to the place, while others have refused because their Palestinian spouses would not be able to join them.

    “We are still trying to convince them to leave,” De Vega responded. “We hope we can evacuate them all.”

  • Al Shifa hospital forcefully evacuated within hours on Israeli orders

    After days of attacking Al Shifa hospital in Gaza and raiding it room by room, the Israeli military has now forcefully evacuated premises on Saturday.

    The hospital’s Director, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, told Al Jazeera that the hospital is now “completely deserted” while the few patients and victims left are lying in corridors.

    He added that those in dire conditions, including newborns and kidney patients, “will die imminently if they are not evacuated,” further stating that Israeli soldiers “are in total control” and that the remaining medical staff “cannot move freely”.

    Earlier today,the Israeli military had ordered everyone — including doctors, patients and displaced people — to evacuate in an hour.

    This, as reported by Al Jazeera, created a sense of panic as it is impossible to flee Al Shifa in such a brief period. A Palestinian health official said that evacuees were “ordered at 9am [7:00 GMT] to leave while waving a white handkerchiefs and walk in a single-file line.”

    Medical staff and others present at Al Shifa revealed that there are patients who cannot be abandoned, including those who cannot walk.

    Munir al-Barsh, director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that about “450 patients were evacuated, while about 120 patients were left behind with five doctors, including the director and a few nurses, because they were immobile.”

    Additionally, a list of critical patients has been given to the Red Cross so they can be taken to Egypt for treatment.

    Adnan al-Barsh, head of orthopaedics at al-Shifa Hospital, stated that Israeli snipers are in and around the hospital compound, saying that “We were adamant on not leaving without our patients … we were forced to leave at gunpoint.”

    The Israeli army denied issuing the evacuation order, however, all officials and other people at Al Shifa have described the total opposite of Israeli claims.

  • Norway’s Parliament asks govt to be prepared for recognizing ‘independent’ Palestine

    Norway’s Parliament asks govt to be prepared for recognizing ‘independent’ Palestine

    Eight out of the ten parties represented in Norway’s parliament voted for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state in future.
    The proposition was propounded by the ruling coalition-to counter the resolution by smaller parties-calling for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.

    The resolution stated that the parliament “asks the government to be ready to recognize Palestine as an independent state when recognition could have a positive impact on the peace process, without making a final peace accord a condition.”

    The resolution has gained the ire of Israel as the process of evacuation of 60 Norwegian nationals from Gaza has been stopped as per reports.

    In Europe, Iceland, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania recognize the statehood of Palestine.

    Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also ensured his parliament that the process of recognizing Palestinian’s right to statehood will be sped up.

    Belgium has also begun the process of recognizing the right.

    Irish opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald has reiterated the call for a ceasefire, asserting that “Palestinian people have a right to their homeland.”

  • Former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away

    Former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away

    Gohar Ayub Khan, former foreign minister and ex-Speaker of the National Assembly, breathed his last on Friday.
    The Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),verified that his father has passed peacefully after a brief illness.
    “Qul will be offered at 11am at Omar Ayub Khan’s residence Main G.T Road Haripur on 19th November,” he added.

    Born in 1937, the former foreign minister was under treatment in a private hospital in Islamabad for quite some time, PTI spokesperson Rauf Hussain confirmed.

    Gohar Ayub Khan was the son of former field marshal president Ayub Khan.
    President Dr. Arif Alvi conveyed profound sadness and Omar Ayub Khan sorrow on the passing of the former foreign minister. He extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

    Interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also conveyed profound sadness and condolences on Gohar’s passing. In a message, the premier offered prayers for the high ranks of the departed soul and for the grieving family to find strength in coping with their loss.

  • Smart lockdown imposed in ten districts of Punjab including Lahore

    Smart lockdown imposed in ten districts of Punjab including Lahore

    Seeing the deteriorating air quality in Punjab, the government has imposed a smart lockdown in different regions of the province, including Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikupura, Kusur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin. Under the smart lockdown, travel is restricted.

    Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed has ordered restricting normal life in Lahore and Gujranwala divisions, as per a handout.

    According to the decision, all public and private educational institutions will remain closed on Saturday in these districts. However, educational institutions can organise online classes, if they want. Nabil Javed further said the markets, shops, cinemas, and offices will be closed till 3 pm.

    In a crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles, district authorities in Hafizabad have suspended route permits of more than fifty cars and halted 1300 vehicles altogether.

  • Shehbaz Sharif is ‘innocent’

    Shehbaz Sharif is ‘innocent’

    Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with 10 co-accused, have been acquitted in the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme reference by a Lahore accountability court, as per Geo News.

    The list of the acquitted individuals includes the incumbent federal minister Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hassan Fawad.

    The court, headed by Judge Malik Ali Zulqarnain Awan, reserved the verdict on November 2 after the conclusion of final arguments presented by counsels and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors on acquittal pleas.

    Acquittal applications contended that all prosecution witnesses and approvers had retracted their statements, signaling a lack of grounds for conviction in the reference. The applicants urged the court to approve the applications and absolve them of the charges.

    A report filed by NAB in May stated that there was no evidence of financial corruption or misuse of authority by Shehbaz Sharif. The allegations of misuse of authority and corruption against the former prime minister, according to the report, were not substantiated under the National Accountability Ordinance of 1999.

    NAB had filed the reference in 2018, alleging that Shehbaz Sharif and other accused had caused a significant financial loss to the national treasury by awarding the contract for the housing scheme to a construction firm without a competitive bidding process.

    Sharif was arrested on Oct 5, 2018, in connection with the case when he appeared before the accountability bureau in another matter while Cheema was taken into custody on February 21 of the same year. Both of them were later released on bail.

    Earlier, Kamran Kiyani, the brother of former army chief Ashfaque Parvez Kiyani, and Nadeem Zia of Paragon City were acquitted by the court due to a “lack of evidence”.

    The NAB alleged that Cheema received illegal benefits from the owners of Paragon City Developers as a reward for awarding the housing scheme contract to their proxy firm, Bismillah Engineering.