Tag: PMLN

  • PM Shehbaz in Karachi: What is he planning to do today?

    PM Shehbaz in Karachi: What is he planning to do today?

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Karachi today (Saturday) on a day-long visit.

    During this visit, he will meet a delegation of leaders of the government’s allied party Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    According to Geo News, the premier will discuss the MQM-P’s agreement with Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N).

    When former PM Imran Khan was ousted, an agreement was signed to confirm MQM-P leaving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) coalition and joining hands with the then-opposition parties [PML-N, PPP, JUI-F and others]. The MQM-P decided to part ways with PTI almost a week before the no-confidence motion against Khan and announced its final decision on March 30.

    Other than this, discussions on the census, electoral reforms and upcoming local body elections will also take place between PM Shehbaz Sharif and MQM-P.

    PM Shehbaz also paid a visit to Nawabshah to offer condolence to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on his mother’s demise.

    The premier’s first stop was Pakistan Naval Academy Manora where he attended the passing out parade of the 25th Short Service Commission.

    In his speech during the ceremony, PM Shehbaz expressed happiness over witnessing women cadets in the passing out parade.

    On Friday, PM Shehbaz made a visit to the port city of Gwadar.

  • ‘All pending cases would have been solved by December 2022’: former special assistant to Khan

    Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability Brigadier (Retd) Musaddiq Abbasi said that all the pending cases of politicians would have been solved by December 2022. Abbasi was SAPM to Imran Khan.

    Speaking on Express News‘ political programme‘ Kal Tak‘ with anchorperson Javed Chaudhry, the former special assistant revealed that he was working to make amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) 1898 so that all the cases could be streamlined. According to him, when he took over the office as SAPM, he discussed it with Khan and he agreed.

    Moreover, talking about pending cases of Nawaz Sharif and other politicians, he clarified that all the cases would have been decided either in their favour or against them.

    On the show, Abbasi who is also the former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) director-general, talked about the recent amendments to NAB law. He said that the bureau is almost closed. It is pertinent to mention that the incumbent government through the new amendments has limited the powers of NAB.

    Abbasi also termed the allegations by Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir’s revelations as baseless. Dastagir alleged that in November when a new army chief would have been appointed by Imran Khan, the new chief would have violated the Constitution and would have helped Imran Khan make false cases against his opponents in order to disqualify them.

    Earlier, Dastgir said, “This is based on information. Imran Khan and his followers would have stayed in power for 15 years. The entire Opposition would have been disqualified. He [Imran Khan] was of the point of view that he will remove everyone and will not spare anyone.”

    Replying to Dastagir, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said that he believes that Dastagir is lying but is still waiting for Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations’ (ISPR) statement because these are very serious allegations and the military spokesperson should respond to them.

  • PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi gets interim bail in Rs720 million money laundering case

    PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi gets interim bail in Rs720 million money laundering case

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi has been granted interim bail till July 4 by a banking court in a Rs720 million money laundering case against him, which was filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The court has reportedly asked FIA to submit the record of the case and barred the agency from arresting Elahi till July 4. Moreover, it has directed Moonis to submit Rs500,000 as a surety against the bail.

    In the bail petition, Elahi argued that the money laundering case against him is politically motivated, maintaining that he is innocent.

    “The proceedings have been initiated to harass and blackmail the petitioner and his family so as to muffle their voice against the government of the day,” the petition stated.

    Terming the First Information Report (FIR) against Elahi “illegal and without lawful authority”, the petition further stated the case has no connection with matters concerning the federal government. Similarly, it stated that the FIA “does not have the jurisdiction to proceed in such matters”.

    In the petition, it is said that no evidence on record proved an offence that could be registered under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, and other sections. Furthermore, the petition underlined that the case against Elahi was registered without him “being summoned” or sent a notice after the completion of the inquiry.

    Earlier, the FIA booked Moonis, Punjab Assembly (PA) Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, and others on charges of money laundering.

    What is the case?

    According to the FIA’s FIR, the case against Elahi was registered in which the state has been named as the complainant. The agency said that it has “solid evidence” against the PML-Q leader.

    According to the FIR, proceedings against Moonis under the Money Laundering Act started during former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tenure. Last year, Khan had tasked the FIA to investigate the sugar crisis throughout the country and find out who benefitted from it.

    Following this, the FIA released a report claiming that some of Khan’s own party members and Moonis were among those who had allegedly gained from the sugar crisis in Pakistan.

  • ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a task force that will look after the implementation of minority rights in Pakistan.

    An official notification in this regard states, “In light of the resolution passed by the National Assembly on May 9, 2022, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the constitution of the task force on minorities to oversee the implementation of rights of minorities in light with the decision of the apex court.”

    The task force will be headed by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. It comprises 23 parliamentarians, senators and ex-officio members.

    As chairman of the task force, Dr Vankwani tweeted that such a step had been taken “for the first time in the history of Pakistan”.

    In another tweet, he said, “Recommendations will be made for the solution of the problems faced by the minorities and we will take people from all the segments of the society along with us.”

    In 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) issued an order that there should be monitoring of the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to the minorities under the Constitution and law.

    However, the governments over the years could not implement the SC orders.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the surge in blasphemy cases against religious minorities, and the potential for sectarian violence.

  • ‘Waiting for DG ISPR’s response to Dastagir’: Asad Umar

    ‘Waiting for DG ISPR’s response to Dastagir’: Asad Umar

    Responding to Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir’s revelations why Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government came into power, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said that he is waiting for a statement by Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in response to such serious allegations.

    “Dastagir has alleged that in November when a new army chief would have been appointed by Imran Khan, the new chief would have violated the Constitution and would have helped Imran Khan make false cases against his opponents in order to disqualify them. I have been wondering why DG ISPR has not given a statement about these serious allegations even though a couple of days have passed.”

    Asad Umar said that he believes that Dastagir is lying but is still waiting for DG ISPR’s statement because these are very serious allegations and the from the military spokesperson should respond to them.

    Asad Umar also said that in reality, the government knew that the PTI government would start delivering on the economy and thus Khan had to be ousted through a conspiracy.

    READ MORE: PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    Last week, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir revealed why the coalition government came into power.

    “Mass disqualifications would have taken place had Imran Khan remained in power,” said Dastgir when anchorperson Syed Talat Hussain asked why the sitting government chose to come into power for a year and a half.

    “This is based on information. Imran Khan and his followers would have stayed in power for 15 years. The entire Opposition would have been disqualified. He [Imran Khan] was of the point of view that he will remove everyone and will not spare anyone.”

    “From Shehbaz Sharif to Khaqan Abbasi to Ahsan Iqbal, everyone of us would have been disqualified. We made a coalition government for that very reason. Imran Khan had fascist plans.”

    The joint Opposition’s candidate Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Imran Khan was voted out of office through a no-confidence motion on April 9.

  • Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Former Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi appeared before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after the agency filed a Rs720 million money laundering case against him.

    After his appearance, the former federal minister said the FIA gave him a questionnaire, claiming that its “purpose” was not to conduct an investigation but to arrest him.

    “The government did all this so attention could be diverted from the budget in the Punjab Assembly. If I tell the PML-N today that we will support you, all cases will end,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader further said.

    He added that all information regarding his finances is available in his tax returns. According to Moonis Elahi, the FIA has not issued a notice till date but he would appear again if summoned.

    The investigation agency also arrested two of Elahi’s close associates – Nawaz Bhatti and Mazhar Iqbal – on the charges that both of them used to facilitate Elahi to embezzle money.

    After the case was filed, Moonis rushed to the FIA’s office on Wednesday night but he was told to appear the next morning.

    Prior to this, a special central court in Lahore dismissed Elahi’s pre-arrest bail plea in this case.

    ‘Will not abandon Imran Khan’: Moonis Elahi

    When the case was registered earlier, Moonis denied receiving any notice. He said, “I would have come to the FIA office if I had received the notice. I came to know about the FIR from the media. They have skipped a legal step.”

    Moonis said that he is coming to Lahore to appear before the FIA and they can arrest him if they want to.

    “The PML-N is at a loss to understand that it can pressure me to change my loyalty towards former premier and PTI chairman Imran Khan. We will not abandon Khan, come what may,” he said.

    Moonis added that he never heard of the two other persons named in the FIR. However, he admitted to investing in the Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) Sugar Mills, calling it his “declared investment”.

    What is the case?

    According to the FIA’s First Information Report (FIR), the case against Elahi was registered on Tuesday in which the state has been named as the complainant. The agency said that it has “solid evidence” against the PML-Q leader.

    According to media outlets, the FIA was also investigating suspicious transactions worth Rs250 million involving the PML-Q leader’s sugar mills. Moonis is a shareholder in Alliance Sugar Mills.

    According to the FIR, proceedings against Moonis under the Money Laundering Act started during former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tenure. Last year, Khan had tasked the FIA to investigate the sugar crisis throughout the country and find out who benefitted from it.

    Following this, FIA released a report claiming that some of Khan’s own party members and Moonis were among those who had allegedly gained from the sugar crisis in Pakistan.

  • Army denies taking action against officers after Maryam Nawaz’s speech

    Army denies taking action against officers after Maryam Nawaz’s speech

    The Pakistan Army has revoked all the post-retirement benefits, including pensions and free medical coverage, for five retired army officers for their involvement in anti-army campaign.

    One ex-major general’s name is also included in the list. Action against these officials was conducted last month following legal procedures and allowing the ex-servicemen a chance to defend themselves.

    “The GHQ had proceeded against the five retired officers at least two weeks before Maryam spoke on the issue,” said one of the sources while denying the statements of some YouTubers who are connecting the military action against with a recent statement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

    According to the source, the military expects the government to take action against individuals who defame the military.

    “The social media reports of 150 ex-servicemen facing the action are totally incorrect,” the source added.

  • Here are the latest income tax rates and slabs for salaried class

    Here are the latest income tax rates and slabs for salaried class

    In the budget for fiscal year 2022-23, the government has exempted those earning up to Rs100,000 per month from paying income tax, up from Rs50,000 last year.

    For the salaried income group, the latest budget is a mishmash as the government reduced tax rates and the number of slabs while eliminating available credit through the omission of deductible allowance for profit on debt and tax credit for investment in shares, health insurance, and pension funds.

    Moreover, the government has released a revamped list of income tax brackets for salaried employees. There were previously 12 slabs, which have now been shrunk to seven.

    Here are the new slabs:

    1. For annual incomes less than Rs600,000 (below Rs50,000 per month)
    2. For a yearly income of Rs600,000-Rs1.2 million (Rs50,000 to Rs100,00 per month).
    3. For annual earnings of Rs1.2m-2.4m (Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 per month)
    4. For annual earnings of Rs2.4m-3.6m (Rs200,000 to Rs300,000 per month)
    5. For earnings of Rs3.6m-6m (Rs300,000 to Rs500,000 per month)
    6. For annual earnings of Rs6m-12m (Rs500,000 to Rs10,00,000 per month)

    For annual earnings of more than $12 million (more than $100,000 per month), income tax is not to be levied on people earning between 0 and Rs600,000 per year (where income from salary exceeds 75 per cent of taxable income). A nominal amount of Rs100 will be subtracted per year from those earning between Rs600,000 and Rs1.2 million.

    Employees getting paid more than Rs1.2 million but less than Rs2.4 million per year will be levied 7 per cent of the amount that exceeds Rs1,200,000 in the third slab.

    An employee getting paid Rs1,400,000 per year will be levied 7 per cent of Rs200,000 (Rs1,400,000 minus Rs1,200,000 since that is the amount exceeding Rs1,200,000).

    As per the latest budget resolution, the government recommended an income tax rate of 20 per cent on small business earnings, 42 per cent on banking, and 29 per cent on related companies.

  • ‘Why would I harm my family business’?: PM Shehbaz, CM Hamza get pre-arrest bails

    A special court in Lahore granted pre-arrest bails to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz in a Rs16 billion money laundering case registered against them by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The court asked both PM Shehbaz and CM Hamza to pay Rs1 million in surety bonds, each within seven days.

    Both the PM and his son CM Hamza appeared before the court on Saturday.

    During the hearing, the court asked Shehbaz if he has no ownership of Ashiana Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills, to which the PM replied, “I have no stake in either.”

    PM Shehbaz asked: “Why would I engage in corruption and money laundering and harm the family business?”

    He said the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) was provided with all the facts verbally. “I faced countless hearings and trials. The FIA was admonished for not presenting a challan. I believe the FIA was preparing for an arrest, hence the challan was delayed,” he added.

    “The entire case is built on lies and will be buried,” PM Shehbaz further said during the hearing.

    PM Shehbaz’s attorney Amjad Pervez stated that the fact that both of them [Shehbaz and Hamza] had previously been interrogated in jail by the FIA was sufficient proof for their bail.

    He said, “The case has been ongoing for more than a year and now we discover that the suspects were not made part of the inquiry.”

    Last year, the FIA submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to the special court for their alleged involvement in a money laundering case.

    The report said that the amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and “given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity”.

  • Energy sector to get a massive portion of the Rs699 billion subsidy

    Energy sector to get a massive portion of the Rs699 billion subsidy

    The government has proposed allocating Rs699 billion to multiple sectors in order to provide relief to the masses during the new fiscal year 2022-23.

    According to budget estimates, the government plans to boost subsidies by Rs17 billion to Rs699 billion for the next fiscal year, up from Rs682 billion in the previous fiscal year.

    The government has reduced power sector subsidies by Rs26 billion to Rs570 billion for the next fiscal year, down from Rs596 billion in the previous fiscal year and proposed increasing the total subsidy for the power sector for PEPCO by Rs18 billion to Rs275 billion. The budget 2022-23 proposed reducing the subsidy amount for K-Electric by Rs5 billion to Rs80 billion.

    Moreover, subsidies for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are slashed by Rs39 billion to Rs215 billion for the coming fiscal year.

    The amount of petroleum subsidy has been upped from Rs51 billion to Rs71 billion. During the next fiscal year, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will receive a Rs17 billion subsidy. PASSCO will also receive Rs7 billion subsidy.

    During the next fiscal year, Rs8 billion has been set aside for wheat subsidies to Gilgit-Baltistan. For the coming fiscal year, the subsidy for the metro bus service has been increased to Rs4 billion. Similarly, the fertiliser plant subsidy has been increased to Rs15 billion.

    Read more: Govt unveils Rs9.5 trillion budget 22-23, focused on sustainable growth

    The new government has reduced the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NAPHDA) subsidy amount to Rs500 million for the next fiscal year, down from Rs30 billion in the previous fiscal year. NAPHDA’s markup subsidy has also been reduced, from Rs.3 billion to Rs.500 million for the coming fiscal year.