Tag: Peshawar

  • Largest money laundering scandal: FBR exposes Rs47 billion trade-based fraud 

    Largest money laundering scandal: FBR exposes Rs47 billion trade-based fraud 

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Pakistan has uncovered a massive case of money laundering and under-invoicing in the trade industry, making it one of the country’s biggest financial scandals. 

    Following a thorough investigation by auditors, the FBR took legal action against two companies based in Peshawar. They found that these companies were involved in a staggering money laundering operation worth Rs47 billion, which they officially termed ‘trade-based money laundering.’ 

    According to the FBR’s report, these companies allegedly caused a massive financial loss of Rs25 billion to the national exchequer by under-invoicing transactions, all under the guise of dealing with solar panels. 

    In the FIR, the owners of these companies, Moon Light Traders and Bright Star, were named as suspects. The report revealed that Bright Star had been involved in under-invoicing since 2013, while auditors scrutinised records of 705 Goods Declarations (GDs) related to Moon Light Traders. 

    Furthermore, it was discovered that these companies continued their money laundering activities from 2017 to 2022. According to ARY News, the FBR promptly shared its report on trade-based money laundering and under-invoicing with the Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar. 

    In a separate incident in September, the FBR exposed a massive tax fraud worth Rs314 billion perpetrated by a fictitious company called K H & Sons. This fraud was uncovered by the Director-General of Internal Audit at Inland Revenue’s team. 

    Interestingly, K H & Sons was a paper company registered under the name of a Benami individual, Muhammad Kashif. Their fabricated documents falsely claimed to be in the iron and steel business, using addresses of legitimate markets like Liaquat Market, Agri Market, and M.A. Jinnah Market. 

    Sources also revealed that this bogus company was used for various illegal activities. What’s surprising is that despite the large-scale tax fraud, the FBR had not taken legal action against the culprits, leading to concerns that they might flee the country if a First Information Report (FIR) was not filed promptly. 

  • Gen Munir urges women to take part in KP’s ‘progress, development

    Gen Munir urges women to take part in KP’s ‘progress, development

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Wednesday urged women to take part in the “progress and development” of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and its newly-merged districts, the military’s media wing has said.

    The army chief passed the remarks during a visit to Peshawar where he held an “interactive session” at the KPK Women Symposium – 2023.

    While addressing the participants, Gen Munir highlighted that women had played “an important role in the progress of the country throughout the history of Pakistan”. He also emphasised the role of women in “Pakistan’s progress and development is quintessential and most important”.

    “Women of KP have continued to face multi-faceted challenges due to prolonged fight against terrorism, however, they have proven their resilience, commitment and bravery at the face of all odds,” Gen Munir was quoted by the ISPR.

    During the day-long visit, the army chief also attended a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee along with Caretaker KP Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan.

    The meeting was briefed about the “overall security situation including initiatives against smuggling, hoarding and drug trafficking”.
    The moot affirmed that the state and the people were “united for the protection of life and property of citizens”. They also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families.

    “We have to synergise our efforts for the peace and prosperity of our beloved country. The Pakistan Army will continue to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in KP to provide a secure environment for economic development,” Gen Munir said.

  • Peshawar restaurant owner imprisoned for ‘molesting’ foreign tourists

    Peshawar restaurant owner imprisoned for ‘molesting’ foreign tourists

    The owner of Peshawar’s famous Charsi Tikka restaurant, Nisar Khan, has been arrested by the Shah Gabool Police after videos emerged on social media of him misbehaving with foreign tourists.

    According to ARY, police arrested Nisar after receiving several complaints from foreign tourists, particularly foreign women. A case was lodged against him under the complaint of SI Naeem.

    The police told ARY that Namak Mandi Food Street has attracted foreign tourists and local travellers, while Charsi Tikka is a well known restaurant.

  • MDCAT results withheld by Peshawar High Court

    MDCAT results withheld by Peshawar High Court

    Results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) have been withheld on the orders of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday following petitions filed by students in the light of cases of cheating via Bluetooth devices in examination halls.

    The court issued orders to the chief secretary, executive director of the Education Test and Evaluation Agency (ETEA), and the registrar of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to provide responses regarding these allegations.

    The court has asked the Education Test and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) to not publish the official results on its website for now as the investigation is underway.

    The hearing was chaired by Justice Syed Arshad Ali who passed orders that the online release of the results must be halted till September 21, the date of the next hearing.

    The case

    Dozens of candidates had been caught cheating in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) MDCAT exams conducted in a number of cities on Sunday.

    Over 40 candidates, including 20 female candidates, were arrested in Peshawar while 10 were taken into custody in DI Khan.
    All of the detainees were said to be using Bluetooth to cheat in the test. And as reported by Geo, DI Khan police sources claimed that VIP passes were issued to the candidates for which a hefty amount was paid to take the exam through dishonest means.

    Students and parents filed complaints to the Human Rights Cell in Peshawar regarding the results and integrity of the system which were then sent to the PHC chief justice.

    The applicants asserted that approximately 200 students were caught using Bluetooth devices during the examination.

  • DC Peshawar issues detention orders of 11 PTM activists

    DC Peshawar issues detention orders of 11 PTM activists

    The district administration of Peshawar has issued orders to detain 11 activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), on allegations of provoking the public against the government’s policies and the armed forces of the country.

    According to the detention order, SSP operations wrote a letter to the deputy commissioner stating that the Gulberg police station SHO provided a list of the PTM activists who provoked the public against the Pakistan Army and other institutions of Pakistan.

    The latter, issued by the SSP operations, informed the district administration that the individuals on the list pose a risk to the stability and peace of the country. They violated the writ of the government and the law and order situation in the area. 

    “The activities of the said individuals are against the law, and there is apprehension that they may continue their activities in the future,” the detention orders issued by the deputy commissioner said, adding that the administration considered the activities prejudicial to public safety and might create a law and order situation in the district.

  • Gold price reaches Rs234,000 per tola, nearing new record high

    Gold price reaches Rs234,000 per tola, nearing new record high

    Gold prices in Pakistan continued to rise on Tuesday, influenced by the Pakistani rupee’s decline against the US dollar and an uptick in global prices. 

    According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association, the cost of 24-carat gold settled at Rs234,500 per tola, marking a substantial increase of Rs4,600. Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of gold rose by Rs3,944 to reach Rs201,046.

    It is expected that the price of gold might reach unprecedented levels due to the relentless and rapid decline of local currency against the greenback.

    The movement of gold prices in Pakistan closely follows the path of the US dollar due to the country’s reliance on gold imports. 

    The Pakistani rupee saw a notable decrease, falling to a new all-time low against the US dollar. It ended at Rs299.01 rupees per dollar, reflecting a decline of Rs1.88, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan.

    Currency experts attribute the surge in gold prices to the recent depreciation of the rupee. 

    With growing concerns about the country’s economic situation, investors are turning to gold as a safe-haven asset. This shift has resulted in a significant increase of Rs12,700 per tola in just one week.

    Read more: PKR to USD rate

    Notably, the hike in gold prices coincided with political turmoil and a decrease in the local currency’s value, leading to an all-time high valuation of Rs240,000 per tola on May 10, 2023. On the international front, the price of gold saw a $10 increase, reaching $1,901 per ounce on Tuesday.

  • Seven arrested for renting smartphones to minors for online games and obscene content

    Seven arrested for renting smartphones to minors for online games and obscene content

    A total of seven individuals have been apprehended in the Faqirabad area of Peshawar for their involvement in renting out smartphones to children.

    The suspects allegedly facilitated the children in playing online games, including PUBG, and accessing explicit videos at their establishments, according to the police.

    The law enforcement authorities took action following the circulation of a viral video on social media that depicted children utilizing smartphones.

    Subsequently, a raid was conducted at two shops in the vicinity, resulting in the confiscation of 45 phones. These shops were found to be renting out smartphones for Rs60 per hour.

    Yesterday, three of the suspects were arrested, and an additional four were apprehended based on information provided by the initially detained individuals.

    The police have sealed the shops to discourage similar operations and have initiated an investigation into the matter, alongside registering a case.

  • ‘Modest dress code’: Peshawar university bans wearing jeans on campus

    ‘Modest dress code’: Peshawar university bans wearing jeans on campus

    The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar has introduced a new “modest” dress code for its students by banning them from wearing jeans and tights on the campus.

    The university’s registrar office issued a formal notification in which students have been asked to strictly adhere to the new dress code.

    “Students have to wear knee-length kurtas, shalwars, and white dupattas, which has been made compulsory for them as per the new dress code,” the notification read.

    The university directed students to wear their cards on university premises, warning them that the new code had been introduced after approval from the registrar office and violators would be fined Rs1,000.

    In March 2021, the Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST) also introduced a dress code, asking girl students to wear abaya.

    In a notification issued on March 9, the KUST administration directed its male students to either wear white shalwar kameez or grey dress pants with black shoes.

    Female students had been asked to wear white shalwar with any kameez of full sleeves, scarf, dupata, chaddar, black abaya and black shoes. In the winters, they had to wear black sweaters, coats or plain jackets with black abayas.

  • Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    In the spirit of Ramzan, the Sikh community in Peshawar has continued its tradition to serve Iftar to fasting Muslims with the objective of promoting love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different faiths.

    Sikh families living in the Mohalla Jogan Shah area of the walled city take turns to arrange food; as a result these ‘dastarkhawans’ work round the month.

    The community not only makes arrangements for Muslim brothers but also distributed rations among the needy and poor. Each of the ration packs consists of essential items including cooking oil, rice, pulses, chickpeas, beans, sugar, and tea.

    Chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the National Peace Council for Interfaith Harmony Jatinder Singh said that the objective behind this practice by Sikhs is “to promote love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different”. Pointing out that his community had lived in the country for generations, he said they wanted to convey a message of mutual coexistence among its citizens.

    Sikh traders also announce special discounts in their shops during Ramzan besides donating money to the needy.

  • Will summon Faiz Hameed in Parliament, says Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that he will demand in the parliament that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General (DG) Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed should be summoned to the floor.

    Speaking on Mohammad Malick’s show “Breaking News” on 92 News, he alleged that Hameed brought Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) back to the country. Referencing to Hameed’s visit to Kabul in 2022 asked why Hameed gave out assurances that everything would be okay.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the former spy chief went to Kabul following the withdrawal of United States (US) troops from Afghanistan.

    He was expected to discuss border management and the overall security issue — to ensure that spoilers and terrorist organisations do not take advantage of the situation — with the Taliban.

    Further lashing out at Hameed, the federal minister said that hundreds of thousands of Afghanis are still in Pakistan and put the blame for the recent extreme episodes of terrorism on the former spy chief’s head.

    He also pointed out that terrorism incidents in the country did not increase just within six to eight months.

    Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.

    According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months since July 2018.

    In January, more than 100 people lost their lives in a suicide attack at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines. The TTP initially claimed responsibility for the attack, however, it later backtracked and claimed that it did not perpetrate the bombing.

    TTP is also responsible for the recent attack on Karachi police chief’s office which took place on February 17.