Withdrawal of incentives to export sectors: FBR collects Rs55 bn additional taxes in five months

ISLAMABAD: After withdrawal of zero-rating regime for five export-oriented sectors, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has fetched additional taxes of Rs55 billion in first five months (July-Nov) period against envisaged target of Rs185 billion for the whole fiscal year.

During the proceedings of National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance held under chairmanship of Faizullah from the PTI here at the Parliament House on Monday, the FBR unveiled its plan to start implementation on computerised national identity cards (CNICs) condition after receiving Sales Tax returns on March 15, 2020, saying that they were developing a software with the help of Nadra to verify CNIC details through filed returns, whereas the fake CNIC providers would be referred to Benami Wing of the FBR for further investigation and prosecution under the relevant law.

The FBR Member Inland Revenue (IR) Operation Seema Shakil told the NA panel that the FBR has so far sent out notices to about 200,000 high net worth individuals but many people had provided wrong CNIC data. The SBP representative said biometric verification of bank account holders was underway, as 90 percent were now biometrically verified while remaining 10 percent were in process.

The parliamentarians especially belonging to the PML-N including Ali Pervez, Ayesha Ghous Pasha and Qaiser Sheikh severely criticised the FBR for suffocating the economy and were of the view that the Board could not collect the desired revenue target of Rs185 billion after abolishing of zero-rating regime.

“We request the chairman NA panel to arrange another briefing in January, 2020 after passing one half of the current fiscal year to gauge the performance of the FBR on account of withdrawal of zero-rating regime,” Ali Pervez said.

The FBR high-ups briefed the NA committee that after abolishing of SRO 1125, the FBR had estimated to collect Rs185 billion with imposition of 17 percent GST on five export-oriented sectors including textile, leather, carpets, sports and surgical goods. The FBR Member Inland Revenue Policy Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar said that the FBR collected Rs61 billion in July-Nov period of the current fiscal year from these five sectors against Rs6 billion through local sale in the same period of the last fiscal, so the additional collection stood at Rs55 billion.

Out of total additional collection of Rs55 billion, the FBR fetched Rs23.6 billion through domestic front and Rs32.3 billion at import stage, he added. The FBR’s Member IR Policy said that the government provided subsidy on gas and electricity to exporters after their agreement to slap 17 percent GST on export-oriented sectors. On this point, MNA Ali Pervez, Ayesha Ghous Pasha and Qaiser Sheikh objected that there was no connection between subsidy on gas and electricity and imposition of GST on five export-oriented sectors.

Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar explained that he was not present in the meeting where this agreement was struck between the government and exporters. However, this had come under discussion in the ECC meeting so that’s why he had given statement to this effect before the committee. However, the ministries concerned could be called to get further explanation on this issue, he added.

Ateeq Sarwar said the FBR so far issued refunds to the tune of Rs98.7 billion in first five months of the current fiscal year against Rs31 billion in the same period of the last financial year. He said the FBR provided around Rs70 billion additional refunds in the current fiscal year. He said the the exporters so far claimed refunds to the tune of Rs14.4 billion through FASTER and FBR issued Rs10.8 billion refunds. He said that the exporters were reluctant to fill annexture H of the returns, but the FBR was ready to hear them for resolving their genuine problems.

Ayesha Ghous Pasha said the FBR had jolted the whole system with its actions of too much and too soon as the Bureau should have adopted phase-wise approach instead of withdrawing the SRO 1125 in one go for all major export-oriented sectors.

Ali Pervez said exports stood at $9.5 billion and with existing pace it could touch $23.5 billion so it would not be a stage of celebrating increase in exports. He said the FBR chairman had made commitment at the NA panel to give briefing on abolishing of zero-rating regime when half of the fiscal year passed because it would give us opportunity to analyse the outcome of the decision of imposing 17 percent GST.

Qaiser Sheikh was of the view that exports went up, but refunds amount did not go up to the desired level and observed that rampant corruption was going on related to refunds issues.

The NA panel showed its concerns over rising inflation, especially escalating food prices, as it went up to 17.94 percent on week that ended on December 19, 2019. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) official Behrawar Jan told the committee that SPI captured data of 51 essential food items and it found that the SPI stood at 17.94 percent in December. He said food inflation had now started receding during last few weeks.

The chairman of the NA panel asked Adviser to PM on Finance and Governor SBP to appear before the committee when the inflation report prepared by sub- committee led by Ayesha Ghous Pasha’s will be presented before the committee next time.

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After Maharashtra: Modi faces defeat in Jharkhand

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party lost control of Jharkhand after Maharashtra on Monday, adding to a string of electoral losses since last December amid protests that mark the biggest challenge to the Hindu-nationalist leader.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) conceded defeat in the eastern state of Jharkhand, with an alliance of the main opposition Congress party and a regional bloc slated to take control of the province.

"I dedicate this victory to the people of Jharkhand," Hemant Soren, leader of the regional Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party, said after claiming victory. The loss comes in the middle of a sometimes deadly wave of nationwide protests triggered by a new citizenship law, which critics say discriminates against Muslims and has brought thousands of people out on to the streets in opposition.

The polls in Jharkhand opened on November 30, before the demonstrations kicked off and do not represent the current public mood. However, the BJP's defeat will be a shot in the arm for India's opposition parties, some of which have used popular anger against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to their advantage.

The Modi governmentinsists that the law is needed to help persecute non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who came to India before 2015 by giving them Indian citizenship.

In a show of strength on Monday, the BJP staged a protest, attended by several hundred people, in Kolkata in support of the CAA. "Today, we have seen that Bengal stands with Modi and it welcomes the Citizenship Amendment Act," said Jagat Prakash Nadda, the BJP's national working president, using an honorific for the prime minister.

But groups opposed to the law gathered in the southern cities of Bangalore and Chennai, the capital New Delhi and northeastern Assam state, in the latest demonstrations against the CAA and the Modi government's proposal to conduct a nationwide National Register of Citizens.

In Assam, protests have been held since December 10, initially turning violent but largely peaceful over the past week.

Assam's Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that since December 10, 393 people have been arrested for arson, violence and looting and 10 for "inflammatory" social media posts.

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Japanese PM’s special adviser calls on PM Imran, General Qamar Bajwa

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan laid emphasis on the importance of Pakistan and Japan working together more closely to enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation.

He called particularly for closer cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, agriculture, industry, human resource development, education, tourism, and people-to-people contacts.

The prime minister was talking to Sonoura Kentaro, Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs to Prime Minister of Japan, who called on him here. During the meeting, views were exchanged on Pakistan-Japan bilateral relations and regional developments.

While noting the renewed vigour and momentum in high-level exchanges, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to take the bilateral relationship to a higher level.

The prime minister said Pakistan looked forward to welcomingJapanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the earliest opportunity. He highlighted the worsening human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and serious risks for peace and security posed by India’s belligerent posture and illegal actions.

The special adviser also underlined Japan’s stance that human rights must be respected under all circumstances and hoped that escalation of tensions would be contained and peace and stability preserved in South Asia.

The prime minister expressed hope that the international community would play its role in ensuring respect of the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiris and facilitating just solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

The prime minister highlighted his government’s initiatives to spur economic growth through investment-friendly, development-focused and people-cantered policies. In the realm of foreign policy, the prime minister underlined his efforts focused on creation of a peaceful environment in Pakistan’s neighbourhood.

While appreciating the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Skilled Workers Programme between Pakistan and Japan, the prime minister highlighted that Pakistan with 60 percent of its population below the age of 30 and the greying population in Japan had inherent complementarities that could be utilised to the benefit of the economies of both countries.

The prime minister underscored Pakistan’s readiness to welcome Japanese businesses in all the sectors. Highlighting the economic turnaround in the country and the government’s efforts to enhance the ease of doing business, the prime minister hoped that Japanese companies could take full advantage of the vast opportunities in Pakistan.

He expressed deep condolences over the tragic killing of Japanese aid worker Tetsu Nakamura in Afghanistan. The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

The special adviser on foreign affairs expressed satisfaction at current trajectory in the bilateral relations. He conveyed Japan’s appreciation for the prime minister’s efforts for economic development and regional peace. He reiterated the government of Japan’s full support to further enhance bilateral cooperation in myriad fields of mutual benefit. He also underlined that Japan could assist Pakistan in its socio-economic development through assistance in export promotion, increase in agricultural productivity, ICT, polio eradication, water resource management, and so on.

In the regional context, the special adviser lauded Pakistan’s support for the efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Meanwhile Sonoura Kentaro called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including overall regional security situation were discussed.

The visiting dignitary appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan’s positive role in the region, according to an ISPR press release. Both reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for peace and security in the region.

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NAB arrests Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal Sports City case

ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal was arrested on Monday by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as he appeared before it in relation to a corruption case.

On the other hand, the Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended the release orders of the PPP stalwart Syed Khursheed Shah in the assets beyond means case, while the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted bail to former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the LNG case.

According to a NAB spokesman, the NAB has arrested the PML-N leader in relation to the Narowal Sports City Complex case. The NAB’s Rawalpindi chapter had summoned Ahsan Iqbal in relation to the case.

According to NAB, AhsanIqbal will be presented before an accountability court today (Tuesday) for his physical remand. Sources said the arrest warrant for the PML-leader was signed by the NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. The NAB had begun investigating the sports complex in July 2018. It was built at the staggering cost of over Rs3,000 million. The NAB investigation team also visited the Narowal Sports City project last month to secure records. The mega venture was one of the primary projects developed under former minister for planning Ahsan Iqbal during the PML-N's tenure.

Talking to media persons before heading to NAB Rawalpindi, Ahsan Iqbal said those who ask him questions should ask before cameras and openly. "Whatever Imran Khan Niazi wanted to do it because he could not pressurise the PML-N,” he asked.

Ahsan Iqbal said he was summoned in the Narowal Sports City Complex and the government was using the NAB for character assassination of its opponents. He said NAB had initiated complaint on the basis of a newspaper report alleging Rs6 billion scam, but the total cost of the project was Rs2.5 billion. He said the Narowal Sports City Complex was being called as security risk, but the DHA is more close to borders as compared to the Narowal Sports City Complex and this project was 14 to 15 kilometres.

"I proposed this project in 2009 when I was opposition member during the PPP’s tenure," he said. The PML-N leader said the initial cost of this project was Rs750 million, but work was stopped and when he assumed the Ministry of Planning and Development, then work on this project was started again and funds for the project were approved like other development projects and cost escalated due to delay in execution of projects as well as stopping of funds. He said when the NAB took notice, 95 percent work on the project was completed, but investors chose to stay away from the project once the NAB started inquiry.

Ahsan Iqbal said Imran Khan Niazi has put the country into a crisis and was using the government institutions to gag the voices of his opponents. He questioned why the inquiries were not being held in the PTI foreign funding case.

Meanwhile, the SHC Sukkur bench suspended Khursheed Shah’s bail in the assets beyond means case. On December 17, the PPP leader was granted bail by an accountability court against surety bonds worth Rs5 million. The bail, however, was delayed as he was unable to submit the bonds, while the NAB moved the SHC to nullify Khursheed Shah’s bail.

The court ordered that the former opposition leader's bail would remain suspended until the next hearing. His lawyer, Mukesh Kumar, said the court was adjourned till January 16. Khursheed Shah is under treatment at the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD). As many as 18 people, including Khursheed Shah, have been named in the reference.

Meanwhile, the IHC granted bail to former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the LNG case. A two member bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.

The PML-N)leader, was arrested by the NAB in August in the LNG import case. Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-managing director PSO Sheikh Imranul Haq are also facing investigations in the case.

During the proceedings, Miftah Ismail’s counsel argued that his client was accused of hiring a consultant illegally while the appointment was made by USAID and that he was not even on the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) board at that time.

To this, Justice Athar Minallah asked how much remand had been given of Miftah Ismail. The NAB prosecutor told the court that Miftah Ismail has been granted 49 days remand till now. When the bench inquired about the status of inquiry, the NAB official informed the court that the investigation was ongoing and an interim reference has been filed in the case. The prosecutor opposed the bail saying the accused may flee the country.

Justice Athar Minallah said that an accused is considered innocent till charge is proved against him. However, he bound Miftah to phone his investigator every day.

He said former chairman SSGC Zuhair Siddiqui, who has become approver in the case, is being threatened. After conclusion of arguments, the bench granted bail to Miftah Ismail against surety bonds of worth Rs10 million.

Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said those who had looted the masses’ economic rights were reaping what they had sowed. She charged that it was shameful for the PML-N spokespersons to defend with impunity the corruption and lies of their leaders. “It pains them as to how the law became stronger than them.

They are raising hue and cry over the foreign funding, who have their children and accounts abroad and keep on taking dates for adjournment of cases against their party,” she said. About Ahsan Iqbal, she claimed that so far he had not been able to give replies to the five questions put to him by Murad Saeed, what to talk of giving answers to the NAB questions.

The prime minister, she continued, was keeping high the ‘flag of jehad’ against corruption and the nation knew them (Sharifs) well and now no unfounded propaganda could mislead them.

Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed said while talking to a news channel that Ahsan Iqbal caused loss to the national exchequer more than anyone else.

Murad Saeed said the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto was distraught due to being held accountable for corruption. Murad Saeed said that he won’t let the opposition leader escape accountability on the excuse of his mother’s death anniversary although he or the government has never stopped him or the PPP from observing the occasion.

Federal Minister Faisal Vawda said people like Ahsan Iqbal must be hanged for at least three days. He alleged that Ahsan Iqbal was even more corrupt that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He vowed to unveil the ‘list’ of front company and relatives of Ahsan Iqbal soon.

The PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, while reacting harshly to the arrest of Ahsan Iqbal, revealed that he had undergone surgery merely three days ago.

She said that the surgery was related to the incident last year in May, where an assailant had shot at the then minister in his own constituency, Narowal. Ahsan Iqbal's bone was fractured after he received a bullet in his right shoulder.

A visibly enraged Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the party will continue calling out the incompetence of the incumbent government. She said Ahsan Iqbal never commissioned the Narowal project as it was launched in the PPP tenure.

“It was a dormant project that Ahsan Iqbal revived during the PML-N’s rule,” she said. The PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif also condemned the arrest of Ahsan Iqbal. "The arrest of a person who fortified Pakistan-China friendship and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is deplorable," he said in a statement.

PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry spoke to Geo News to share his views about Ahsan Iqbal’s arrest. He alleged that the government is trying to control the opposition and arresting leaders through the NAB. “Ahsan Iqbal knew he might be arrested, but he stood by his stance,” said Talal Chaudhry, adding that there was a nexus between Imran Khan and NAB.

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Major IMF targets achieved, all performance criteria observed: 'Pak economic worries won’t be over in coming years'

ISLAMABAD: While risks to the programme outlook remained high, the IMF has modified its structural benchmark for submission of amendments to Nepra Act before Parliament for end December 2019 by reinstating the power of government to levy surcharge.

According to the IMF report on Pakistan released on Monday night, the authorities have made progress onend-December structural benchmarks (SBs). The amendments to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Act are being prepared; international auditors have been selected to conduct the audits of Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Steel Mills; and the benefit structure of Waseela-e-Taleem was updated in October.

Notwithstanding the encouraging start of the programme, the IMF states that risks to the outlook remain high. Growth is currently weak and significant fiscal adjustment is needed in the coming years.

The IMF stated while the risk of a disorderly adjustment has abated due to the well-managed transition to a market-determined exchange rate and the availability of external financing, risks to the economic outlook are significant. Fiscal slippages and, more generally, resistance to reform from vested interest groups could undermine the programme's fiscal consolidation strategy and put debt sustainability at risk.

Moreover, the absence of a majority by the ruling party in the Upper House may hinder the adoption of legislation needed to achieve programme objectives. Also, provinces may under deliver on their commitments to budget parameters and related objectives over the programme period.

Lukewarm progress on structural reforms especially those aimed at strengthening governance of economic institutions may result in stagnant economic activity and little tangible benefits for the population, intensifying pressures to backtrack on policy commitments. Failure to meet programme objectives could jeopardize the availability of external financing. Also, a potential blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) could result in a freeze of capital flows and lower investment to Pakistan. Finally, the global economic backdrop poses increasing headwinds and weaker than expected activity may affect growth and current account deficit projections.

Against all these risks, the authorities' steadfast commitment to the programme and decisive policy and reform implementation could lead to a faster recovery.

Policy Recommendations: The IMF says that full—and timely—implementation of programme commitments is critical to strengthen macroeconomic stability and support robust and balanced growth. Fiscal discipline, including by provinces, needs to be sustained while efforts should continue to expand the social safety net.

The market-determined exchange rate should be maintained to support external stability and buildup of international reserves. The action plan to reduce arrears in the power sector should be timely implemented to support the sector’s viability and limit fiscal risks. Financial sector reforms should focus on deepening access to financing and strengthening resolution frameworks. Additional structural reforms to strengthen governance, including through critical improvements in the AML/CFT framework, are needed to improve the business climate and support private sector development.

All end-September, 2019 and continuous performance criteria (PCs) were observed. The· floor on net international reserves (NIR), ceiling on net domestic assets (NDA), ceiling on SBP's stock of net foreign currency swaps/ forwards, ceiling on net government budgetary borrowing from the SBP, and ceiling on the general government primary budget deficit were met by wide margins. The ceiling on government guarantees was also observed and no external public payment arrears were incurred.

However, five indicative targets (ITs) for end-September were missed. The IT on targeted·cash transfers spending was missed but is expected to be corrected by end-December.

The ITs on net accumulation of tax refund arrears and power sector arrears were also missed, but with the newly proposed ITs they are on track to be met by end-December.

Spending on health and education came in short of the target as, at the time the target was set, only very preliminary estimates of FY 2019 expenditures on health and education were available, especially at the provincial level.

Since the actual outturns turned out to be significantly lower, the IT on health and education has been revised accordingly to reflect the authorities' spending capacity. Nonetheless, the revised IT still envisages an increase in health and education spending as percent of GDP against FY 2019.

Net tax revenues collected by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was also missed due to lower than expected customs receipts that have been negatively affected by the faster-than-expected external adjustment. Most structural benchmarks (SBs) have been implemented, albeit with delays.

The licenses·for the track-and-trace system for excises on cigarettes were issued in October (end-September 2019 SB), while the finalisation of BISP's banking contracts and launching the financial inclusion However, while there has been progress on measures to strengthen the effectiveness of the AML/CFT framework (end-October 2019 SB), this has not been completed.

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Aggression will be thwarted: General Qamar Bajwa

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday said Pakistan was fully prepared to thwart any misadventure/aggression and its quest for peace must never be misconstrued as weakness.

Gen Bajwa said this while addressing troops during his visit to the Line of Control, according to a tweet by Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor. He assured that there would never be a compromise on Kashmir whatever the cost. He also visited the CMH, Muzaffarabad, and inquired after the patients and victims of unprovoked Indian firing in areas near the Line of Control.

The ISPR footage showed Gen Bajwa meeting and addressing troops stationed along the LoC and inquiring after the patients under treatment at the CMH.

The Line of Control has been frequently witnessing ceasefire violations in a serious breach of 2003 truce between the two armies, causing mainly civilian casualtiesin different areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The two armies also exchanged fire in some areas along the LoC on Sunday but no casualties were reported from anywhere. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said India may carry out any misstep at the Line of Control to divert the international community’s attention from the protests taking place in the wake of passing of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 targeting the Muslim population. In a statement, he said tension was currently at peak in India and this was occurring due to the steps taken by the Modi government. He said the Indians were protesting against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 not only within India, but also across the world. He said those feeling that the Indian government had buried the ideology of a secular India and was imposing Hindu Rashtra and Hindutva philosophy were taking part in these protest demonstrations.

Qureshi said ceasefire violations along the LoC had increased and fencing had also been cut at various places there. “There is an unusual movement of military there,” he added. The foreign minister said India had committed ceasefire violations over 3,000 times since January this year and more than three hundred people had been targeted. He said there seemed a well-thought-out plan of India to destroy peace in the region.

Qureshi said India had camouflaged the ongoing reign of tyranny in the occupied Kashmir through the communication blackout; however, despite its desire India could not hide the protests taking place across the country because the government could not impose curfew in the entire country. He said the world was fully aware of what the Modi government was doing. However, he regretted that the world was just watching the entire situation due to its vested interests. “This silence is dangerous and can put peace of the entire region at stake,” he warned.

The foreign minister thanked countries, including Malaysia and Turkey, for raising their voice for Kashmiris. He said the independent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation had also taken notice of the use of pellet guns in the IOK on Pakistan’s demand and an investigation in this regard had also been started.

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PML-N leader says will report PTI leaders owning assets abroad

LONDON: Former federal minister and PML-N leader Abid Sher Ali has said that he will approach crime investigation agency with the details of properties owned by four key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) abroad.Addressing a press conference, Abid Sher Ali announced he will be writing to crime investigation agency about the alleged properties of Faisal Vawda, Federal Minister for Water Resources, Aleem Khan, Jahangir Tareen and PM Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan.Abid Sher Ali claimed that Faisal Vawda owns properties in the United Kingdom but he has not explained how he sent this money from Pakistan. He said that Faisal Vawda has not provided answers as to how he sent money abroad from Pakistan.He said: “I requested the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) a year ago to investigate him and other PTI leaders” but no action had been taken against Vawda and nobody had asked him anything about his properties.“Why has Vawda not showed receipts of the money which was sent from Pakistan,” he told the press conference. The PML-N leader said he has spoken to his lawyers and will be approaching crime investigation agency with property details of the PTI leaders. He said that Jahangir Tareen was disqualified by the Supreme Court but he had not been held accountable till date. He claimed the NAB is witch-hunting only opponents of the PTI.

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Double whammy for Xmas shoppers hit by rail strike, engineering work

LONDON: A strike by rail workers in the long-running dispute over guards on trains, coupled with engineering work, will cause travel misery for passengers this weekend.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on South Western Railway walked out on Saturday for the sixth time since last Monday as part of 27 days of industrial action until New Year’s Day. Picket lines were again mounted outside stations across the SWR network, and the action caused huge disruption on one of the busiest shopping weekends of Christmas.Many services were cancelled or replaced by buses and those that were running were expected to be much busier than normal. The dispute over the role of guards remains deadlocked more than two years since it flared up.The disruption was compounded by weekend engineering and maintenance work which is causing a number of line closures, including between Bournemouth and Poole, in the Twickenham area, and between London Waterloo and Kingston.All lines in the Leatherhead area will be closed all day on Sunday for maintenance work. The two sides have exchanged letters in recent days, with the union calling for fresh talks at the conciliation service Acas.The RMT says the dispute now centres on whether guards should have a few seconds to make sure trains leave platforms safely. SWR managing director Andy Mellors said in a letter that further talks must be on the proviso that the union has a “new solution” to safely delivering over 10 million more peak-time passenger journeys on time each year.An RMT spokesman said: “The union will continue to push for a negotiated settlement that protects passenger safety and our members remain rock-solid in the ongoing action.“We are bitterly disappointed that the company are throwing obstacles in the way of a settlement which is about nothing more than three seconds extra time on the despatch process in the interests of safety.” Services between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight were disrupted because of a train fault. Passengers were told the problem is expected to affect services until next week.

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US-Taliban talks resume in Qatar

DOHA: US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad held on Saturday the first official talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban since President Donald Trump declared a near-certain peace deal with the insurgents dead in September.The talks will initially focus on getting a Taliban promise to reduce violence, with a permanent cease-fire being the eventual goal, said a US statement. Khalilzad is also trying to lay the groundwork for negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the protracted conflict.The meetings being held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office, follow several days of talks in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, where Khalilzad met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.The Taliban have so far refused direct talks with Ghani calling him a US puppet. Ghani leads the Afghan government with Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in a power-sharing agreement brokered by the United States after the presidential elections in 2014 were so deeply mired in corruption that a clear winner could not be determined.While Khalilzad is talking to the Taliban about reducing violence, the US military in its daily report said overnight on Saturday US airstrikes killed 37 Taliban and operations by the Afghan National Security Forces killed another 22 of the militants.Trump has expressed frustration with America’s longest war repeatedly saying he wants to bring the estimated 12,000 US soldiers home and calling on Afghanistan’s own police and military to step up. The Afghan government has also been criticised for its relentless corruption.In September, the United States and the Taliban had appeared on the verge of signing a deal that would have seen Washington begin withdrawing thousands of troops in return for security guarantees. It was also expected to pave the way towards direct talks between the Taliban and the government in Kabul and, ultimately, a possible peace agreement after more than 18 years of war.But that same month, Trump abruptly called the year-long effort “dead” and withdrew an invitation to the insurgents to join secret talks at his US retreat at Camp David after the killing of an American soldier. “The US rejoined talks today in Doha. The focus of discussion will be reduction of violence that leads to intra-Afghan negotiations and a ceasefire,” said the US source briefed on efforts to end almost two decades of war in Afghanistan. The Taliban spokesman in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, confirmed the talks on his Twitter account, saying they had resumed “from where they were broken off”. “Talks revolved around the signing of an agreement and related issues,” he wrote. “Negotiations will resume tomorrow.”Anas Haqqani, brother to the Taliban´s deputy leader, participated in the talks, Shaheen confirmed. Haqqani was released from Afghan government custody last month as part of a prisoner swap that saw an American academic and his Australian colleague freed. During a surprise visit to a US military base in Afghanistan last week, Trump said the Taliban “want to make a deal.” Even during the stall in talks, US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has in recent weeks made a whistle-stop tour of nations with a stake in Afghan peace, including Pakistan. Washington had sought to seal a political deal with the Taliban ahead of September´s elections in Afghanistan. An agreement with the Taliban is expected to have two main pillars — a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the militants not to offer sanctuary to jihadists.The Taliban, believing they have the upper hand in the war, kept up attacks even while talking to the United States.

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Dejected political souls of Sindh met ‘panicked man’ of Islamabad: Murad

KARACHI: Firing a broadside at Prime Minister Imran Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said some disappointed political souls of Sindh met and complained against the provincial government to an already ‘panicked person’ in Islamabad but the ‘already panicked person’ urged them not to be alarmed and sent them back disappointed.The chief minister was alluding to the meeting of the Sindh’s opposition parties with prime minister the other day. “I am quite surprised that the politically rejected and desperate persons of Sindh went to seek support from that person in Islamabad who is so insecure of me that he is not convening the CCI (Council of Common Interests) meetings. The CCI meeting convened by the prime minister for December 11 has also been postponed, ” Murad announced.The chief minister made these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of seven development projects valued at Rs5.9 billion. These were inaugurated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari here on Saturday.Murad said his government’s performance is giving sleepless nights to the various rejected politicians of Sindh. He said they are so disturbed that they traveled all the way to Islamabad to request a ‘panicked person’ to take action against the provincial government of Sindh. “The panicked person became so exasperated that ‘in a fit of frustration’ he told his group of disappointed visitors not to panic.Shah claimed the person sitting in Islamabad is so insecure of him that he not only avoids meeting him during visits to Karachi but is not convening the meetings of the Council of Common Interests as he cannot face him. “He knows when Murad Shah will attend the CCI meeting he will snatch away the funds the PTI government has stopped disbursing to the province,” he said. “Today I would further disappoint and panic you [the disappointed and political rejected people] as the PPP chairman would inaugurate the major projects we started at the end of our last tenure in government,” he said.Addressing the leading businessmen attending the inauguration, the chief minister said the ‘panicked person’ of Islamabad is branding you as thieves despite your hefty contribution to the national exchequer. The person in Islamabad [PM] is learning through media that the poor people are unable to bear the burden of price hike but “being close to the people of Sindh we feel their pain and are providing square meals to their families,” he said.Earlier, the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, claimed on Saturday that the Sindh government has shown exemplary good governance, but the ‘incompetent’ prime minister has ruined the country’s economy.The PPP chairman made these remarks while inaugurating seven major development projects of Karachi recently completed by Sindh government. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Provincial Information and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, and others were present on the occasion. The development projects completed by Sindh government in Karachi include Tariq Road Underpass, Tipu Sultan Road, Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road, Sunset Flyover, Submarine Underpass, 12000 Road in Korangi, and Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan Flyover. Their inauguration was cumulatively performed at the Shaheed-e-Millat Road.Strongly reacting to the prime minister’s tirade against the Sindh government in which he said “ the provincial government is not faltering, but has failed,” a visibly irked Bilawal Bhutto said the Sindh government of the PPP is being denied funds by the centre which tantamounts to economic murder of the Sindh province. “But despite this (Sindh CM) Murad Ali Shah is completing the mega development projects,” he said. Against Murad’s performance, the “Prime Minister Imran Khan should inform us about what the chief minister of KPK and Wasim Akram plus and Shershah Suri of Punjab have delivered in terms of development or governance.” He was referring to the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar whom PM Imran Khan calls Wasim Akram plus. “One of their relatives has ruined the hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” charged Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while referring to the PTI’s rule in the KPK.He said they would soon send the present selected government packing home. He announced taking out anti government rally on Dec 27 at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi.The PPP chairman said all the seven development projects of Karachi were completed by Sindh government in the minimum possible time. He said the PPP was the only political party of the country, which believes in serving the poor masses. The PPP chairman said his party introduced successful poverty alleviation schemes like Benazir Income Support Programme. Bilawal said governance by the incumbent federal government is severely crisis-laden. “Such a crisis could only be overcome by a political party, which carries manifesto meant for masses,” he said. He said that tax amnesty scheme of the present government has only facilitated the capitalists. Instead, the government should have introduced the amnesty scheme for the benefit the small traders, he said.

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Indian rape victim dies after being set ablaze

UNNAO: A 23-year-old rape victim set on fire by a gang of men, which included her alleged rapists, has died in a New Delhi hospital, prompting protests from opposition leaders who blamed the ruling party for failing to check incidents of violence against women.The woman was on her way to board a train in Unnao district of northern Uttar Pradesh state to attend a court hearing over her rape when she was doused with kerosene and set on fire on Thursday, according to police.She was airlifted to New Delhi for treatment later that day.The attack, the second major case of violence against women in the past two weeks, has sparked public outrage in India.The woman died on Friday after suffering a cardiac arrest, Dr Shalabh Kumar, the head of burns and plastic department at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital said.“She was having 95 percent burns,” he said, adding the woman’s wind pipe was burned and “toxic and hot fumes” had filled her lungs.The woman had filed a complaint with Unnao police in March alleging she had been raped at gun-point on December 12, 2018, police documents showed. The woman named two local men, one of them was arrested by police, the other absconded.Having been subsequently jailed, the alleged rapist was released last week after securing bail, police officer S K Bhagat said in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state.A relative of a 23-year-old rape victim, who died in a New Delhi hospital on Friday after she was set on fire by a gang of men, which included her alleged rapists, is consoled as she mourns the death of the victim outside a house in Unnao in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.On Thursday, the rape victim was seized by five men, including the two people she had named in her complaint, and beaten, stabbed and set on fire, local media reported citing her statement to police.Still ablaze, she walked nearly a kilometer, seeking help before finally calling the police herself.All five of the accused have been arrested and are in 14-day judicial custody, Vikrant Vir, superintendent of police, Unnao, said.

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Removal of name from ECL: LHC to hear Maryam’s petition tomorrow

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) will hear a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tomorrow (December 9) in which she has requested the court to direct the government to remove her name from the Exit Control List (ECL) on Saturday.A two-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqir Najfi will hear Maryam’s petition. Maryam has stated in the petition that she wishes to go abroad for six weeks. The federal government, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Immigration and Passport authority have been named parties in the petition. In the petition, Maryam has expressed concern for her father’s health and requested the court to allow her to travel abroad so she can take care of him.Maryam said that she is under a lot of stress these days as she is unable to care for her father at a time when he needed to be closely monitored. She asked for her passport to be returned to her from the deputy registrar judiciary.Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is in London where he is undergoing treatment. Nawaz’ health deteriorated a couple of months ago due to complications of the heart, kidney, lungs and a low platelet count. The LHC had directed the government to remove Nawaz’ name from the ECL so he could fly abroad for medical treatment.In the petition, Maryam stated that Nawaz had not been well ever since her mother had died. The PML-N leader stated that she had been her father’s primary caregiver since then.Maryam also challenged the legality of her name being placed on the no-fly list by claiming that her arguments had not been heard and asked the court to remove her name from the ECL till the final verdict in her case is announced.The PML-N leader’s name along with her father Nawaz Sharif was placed on the no-fly list last year, following their conviction in the Avenfield reference.Prime Minister Imran had said that the government and Sharif family had not agreed to a deal. He had categorically said that the former prime minister will have to face cases against him when he returns to the country.

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Govt decides to reach out to BNP-M, GDA

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to reach out to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) after contacting the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Geo News reported on Saturday.The government’s co-ordination committee will hold meetings with representatives of the BNP-M and the GDA after it establishes contacts with the MQM and the PML-Q. The co-ordination committee will meet leaders from the GDA next week. The committee will apprise Prime Minister Imran Khan about the reservations of its coalition partners.The meetings are being held to ensure that the government knows about the reservations and demands of its allies.The development comes a few days after BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal threatened to leave the coalition government over the arrest of four women from Balochistan’s Awaran district. Mengal had led a sit-in protest in front of the speaker’s dais at the national assembly to protest the women’s arrest. He had accused the government of being negligent about he rights of the people of Balochistan.“Neither did the previous government want to take Balochistan forward neither does this one,” he had said during his speech in the parliament.Mengal had blamed the government and said that when it wanted to secure votes, it contacted him or Shahzain Bugti.A few days ago, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks with an MQM-P delegation in Karachi. The MQM-P leadership had assured the foreign minister that it had stood with the government since day one and will continue to do so.The Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the federal government to bring necessary legislation in the parliament within six months about the extension in General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure as army chief and other matters related to his post. Ever since the apex court’s order, the government has started contacting allies.

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Govt’s grace period is over: Mengal

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Saturday said that grace period of the incumbent government is over.“If the government team wants to meet me, it should come to me with results,” he said.He said if the party insists, he would resign from the National Assembly (NA) seat.Two days ago, the BNP-M threatened the PTI government of breaking coalition after four women from Balochisan’s Awaran district were arrested.According to Mengal, “Four women were kidnapped and taken away to a torture cell and tortured.”The Mengal-led party had called the reported arrest of the women a direct attack on the traditions of the Baloch people and demanded formation of a high-level committee to investigate the crime.

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Bill on J&K introduced in US House of Reps

WASHINGTON: US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives urging India “to end the restrictions on communications and mass detentions in Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible and preserve religious freedom for all residents.”The bill has mentioned that since 1989, Jammu and Kashmir has been the site of a 30-year conflict between the Indian government, local Kashmiris, and militants, that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, exacerbated by disenfranchisement of the local population and external state support for insurgency.“On August 5, 2019, the Government of India cut all telephone service and internet access in Jammu and Kashmir, the 53rd time the Indian government restricted communication in Kashmir in 2019,” the bill says, adding the Government of India has stated that communications restrictions are required to stop terrorists from communicating with one another.The Government of India announced it had restored landline phone service to Jammu and Kashmir on September 5, 2019, and partially restored cellphone service on October 14, 2019. “Whereas 60 percent of the 6,000,000 mobile subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir rely on prepaid cellphones, which remain inoperable for communication, and text messaging and mobile internet services remain suspended.”The bill further states that people across the United States maintain ties with family and friends in Jammu and Kashmir and have reported difficulty contacting their loved ones since the communications blockade was imposed on August 5, 2019.“Whereas press accounts and human rights observers have documented that the communications restrictions derailed health services in Jammu and Kashmir, with patients reporting difficulty calling ambulances and hospitals, and physicians reporting difficulty accessing critical medicines for advanced stages of disease.”Several organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and independent reporters have documented detentions and harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir.The Indian government has barred senior United States government officials and foreign journalists from traveling to Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019. While international human rights observers have documented the police’s use of excessive force against detained people and excessive and indiscriminate use of pellet shotguns, tear gas, and rubber bullets against protesters.“Whereas data from the Government of India found that more than 3,800 people in Jammu and Kashmir were arrested between August 5 and September 6, 2019, 2,600 had been released from detention, and prominent political and business leaders remain in detention,” the bill says, adding that the Jammu and Kashmir police have acknowledged that 144 children, as young as 9 years old, have been arrested.Indian authorities have used the Public Safety Act to preventatively detain people for a broad range of activities that are vaguely defined and without charge for up to 2 years in some cases, including human rights defenders, journalists, political leaders, and people involved in protests.India’s Public Safety Act violates Article 9(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by allowing authorities to not communicate grounds of detention for up to 10 days of detention, and also to withhold any information considered “to be against the public interest to disclose.”It also mentioned that photographic evidence indicates that detained people have been required to sign surety bonds forbidding them from making statements or participating in political activities as a condition of their release; and that the State Department has reported that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains dire, with insurgents and terrorists threatening the lives of civilians, armed forces, police, and government officials.The bill also resolved that the House of Representatives recognises the dire security challenges faced by the government and India in Jammu and Kashmir and the continuing threat of state-supported cross-border terrorism.It rejects arbitrary detention, use of excessive force against civilians, and suppression of peaceful expression of dissent as proportional responses to security challenges.The bill urges the Indian government to ensure that any actions taken in pursuit of legitimate security priorities respect the human rights of all people and adhere to the international human rights law.The bill urged the Indian government to lift the remaining restrictions on communication and to restore internet access across all of Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible. As well as refrain from the use of threats and excessive force against detained people and peaceful protesters.It further asks India to swiftly release arbitrarily detained people in Jammu and Kashmir, and refrain from conditioning the release of detainedpeople on their willingness to sign bonds prohibiting any political activities and speeches.It asks India to allow international human rights observers and journalists to access Jammu and Kashmir and operate freely throughout India, without threats; and condemns, at the highest levels, all religiously motivated violence, including that violence which targets against religious minorities.

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FBR to launch scheme to give legal cover to non-duty paid goods

ISLAMABAD: In a fresh bid to legalise volume of smuggled items ranging up to $10 billion on annual basis, the FBR is planning to launch nationwide scheme to offer owners of non-duty paid (NDP) goods on payment of duty and taxes as well as with fine/penalty.It will be some kind of amnesty scheme for legalising the NDP goods existed in the domestic markets to get legal cover. However, this proposed scheme will not provide opportunity to smuggled/NDP vehicles. The FBR’s top officials say that in the presence of fine/penalty clause, this proposal could not be termed fresh amnesty scheme on any account.The exact details of this planned move will be shared next week. In the aftermath of verification exercise carried out in major urban centers by the Customs staff, the FBR has taken decision to provide last opportunity to businessmen to legalise their NDP items after paying duty, taxes and penalty surcharge. But its rate is proposed to be less than the normal duty and taxes rates. “FBR is working on developing an ‘expeditious settlement’ of ‘non duty paid’ fast moving consumer goods available in the market. The details will be released next week. The purpose is to facilitate businessmen and improve documentation without disturbing business confidence” Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi said in his tweet on Saturday.Before going all out against smuggled items, the FBR plans to give last opportunity to businessmen involved in selling products within the premises of main city centers to settle clearance of non-duty paid fast moving consumer goods as the FBR will launch stern action against smuggled items after expiry of upcoming proposed scheme.The FBR’s Member Customs (Operation) Dr Jawad Uwais Agha is working on developing this plan where the tax machinery is intended to offer negligible duty rate for clearance of non-duty paid consumers goods to convert them legal products. Although, exact details of the scheme are not yet known but the government is going to offer some kind of another amnesty scheme because of its inability to crackdown into business centers of the country where non-duty paid products were sold out without fear of any punitive action.The special joint teams of the FBR had completed anti-smuggling drive which was launched from September 1, 2019 at major shopping centres and large retail outlets in all major cities to verify import documents of foreign goods available in the markets. The exercise was carried out to check selling of smuggled goods in the country.Under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969 FBR has powers to seek import documents for the imported goods available for sale to consumers from the person dealing in such goods.The National Anti-Smuggling Strategy was approved by the incumbent regime as the smuggling was rampant due to lack of a proper and effective mechanism on borders and different loopholes. The total loss incurred due to smuggling every year was in billions and the figures were alarming for a country burdened with debt and inflation which in turn was creating problems for the common man.Smuggling was one of the causes for shutting down of industries and loss of jobs. From July 2018 to September 2019, revenue had increased by 56 percent through steps of the federal and provincial governments against smuggling.Under the Customs Authority, coordination would be increased among different agencies including Customs intelligence, Federal Board of Revenue, Federal Investigation Agency, Intelligence Branch and Military Intelligence on the custom check posts on the borders of merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan along with Iran and Afghanistan.The Customs Authority replacing the Customs Directorate would mainstream the trade on borders and build a central database based on the latest technology, automation and best international practices putting an end to corruption and siphoning of money.The sources in FBR said that the volume of smuggled prone items ranges to the tune of $9 to $10 billion in accordance with the study done by FBR officers almost five years ago but the FBR high-ups did not agree to the authenticity of the estimated figures. The volume of smuggled items might be more than $10 billion or less than this estimated figures but it is fact that smuggling had become major menace for tax collection machinery.Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) are products that are sold quickly and at a relatively low cost. Examples include non-durable household goods such as packaged foods, beverages, toiletries, over-the-counter drugs, and other consumables.Many fast-moving consumer goods have a short shelf life, either as a result of high consumer demand or as the result of fast deterioration. Some FMCGs, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and baked goods are highly perishable. Other goods, such as pre-packaged foods, soft drinks, candies, and toiletries have high turnover rates. Sales are sometimes influenced by holiday and/or seasonal periods and also by the discounts offered.

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Dua Mangi reaches home after ‘payment of ransom’

KARACHI: Young girl Dua Mangi returned home in Korangi Crossing in the early hours of Saturday following what investigators said the payment of ransom, a week after she was abducted in Defence Housing Authority.Talking to reporters outside the residential apartments’ compound where she lives, the members of her family thanked the media for supporting them during this difficult time. They said Dua was unwell and taking medicine. They, however, denied paying any ransom amount for her release.Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sharjeel Kharal of South Range, who was also heading the investigation, said in a statement that the abducted girl reached her home safely in the wee hours of Saturday, but the investigation was under way and its findings would be shared by the police soon.Investigation sources and a senior official talking to The News confirmed the safe return of 20-year-old Dua Mangi, who had been kidnapped from Khyaban-e-Bukhari on November 30 by unidentified men riding in a car when she was walking with her friend Haris. The abductors had also shot at Haris before taking the girl away. The incident shocked the city and led to demands for the safe recovery of the girl.Later, an FIR was lodged by the Darakhshan police and an investigation team was formed under the supervision of the DIG South. It was assisted by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).The officials further stated that they had at various intervals contacted the family for seeking information but they had not cooperated with the investigation team and late on Friday night they were informed by the family that Dua had reached home safely.Afterwards, they said, the team members went to the woman’s house where they met her, who appeared to upset, so no further questions were asked. They also questioned the members of the family about what had happened.The officials said that they had information that the woman had been released after the payment of a ransom amount of Rs1.5 million or Rs2 million and the family members had directly negotiated with the criminals without involving the law enforcement agencies.The investigators said that they were waiting for the statement of the girl and the family as there were several aspects and questions which had been asked, including the ones if they had paid any ransom money, how they had paid the amount and where, as the investigations were underway.They added that the case was still under investigation as the criminals had also shot and injured a young man.

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PML-N leaders put their heads together in London

LONDON: A group of PML-N leaders Saturday met with Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to discuss the party’s role in various parliamentary matters including the pending legislation on the army chief’s tenure and the suspended appointments of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members.Among those present in the meeting were the PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, PML-N Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chairman Public Accounts Committee Rana Tanvir Hussain, former speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Engineer Amir Muqam and Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan.The leaders met at Maroush Garden on Edgware Road, London and are currently staying at the Avenfield apartments to inquire after Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.Talking to reporters after the emerging, Khawaja Asif said Shahbaz was briefed on the parliamentary issues, which arose in the recent weeks, as well as non-parliamentary matters that Pakistan was facing.“His guidance was sought on these issues. We will formulate the party’s policy on these matters upon our return to Pakistan. The issue of the army chief’s extension cannot be commented upon until issuance of a detailed judgment,” said Khawaja Asif.He also said if fresh elections were to take place, their stance was that the first step should be an in-house change not for the sake of perpetuating the change but for the sake of holding new elections.He said 190 million pounds settlement by the family of property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain did not come under discussion.After the party meeting, the PML-N leaders reached the Avenfield where Hussain Nawaz Sharif and others welcomed them.The PML-N leaders met with Muhammad Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.It is worth mentioning that prior to meeting the PML-N leaders, Shahbaz held an important meeting with Nawaz Sharif in which the country’s political situation was discussed.Shahbaz said Prime Minister Imran Khan was not aware of the problems of the countrymen.He said Dr. Adnan Khan will give any update on the health of Nawaz Sharif.Criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shahbaz said he harboured malice towards the opposition and was completely unaware of the national issues.

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One killed, six injured in Lahore compressor blast

LAHORE: A man was killed and six others injured when an explosion took place near a stage set for a Seeratun Nabi conference being held on the Muhammad Ali Road, Township, on Saturday.Upon being informed, the rescuers rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Jinnah Hospital. Hafiz Mahmood, 22, son of Khursheed, died in the blast. The injured were identified as Ahsan, 25, son of Inayatullah, Ghafoor, 20, son of Razzaq, Abu Bakar, 22, son of Shafiq, Muhammad Afak, 60, son of Ashfaq, Muhammad Aslam, 30, son of Ibrahim, and Dilshad, 40, son of Shahid. The condition of the injured was critical.Forensic experts, Bomb Disposal Squad, Rangers, police and officials of other law-enforcing agencies reached the spot. The police sealed the crime scene and the forensic experts collected samples and sent them for detailed analysis. The crime scene was largely disturbed as a large number of people started running here and there to save their lives. The DIG Operations and the SSP Operations also visited the spot.The CTD police claimed that a compressor exploded during the process of gas refilling in a shop near the conference site, resulting in the death of mechanic Hafiz Mahmood and injuries to six others.

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SBP clarification

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has clarified a news report published in The News on Wednesday (Dec. 4) under headline “Inflation, high taxes crippled masses.”In a statement, the SBP said that while quoting SBP governor, the report says: “Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Reza Baqir on Tuesday admitted that higher inflation and taxes had crippled the masses and emphasized that steps should be taken to ensure that positive fallout of economic stability reached them.”In the entire press release, State Bank Governor has not made such statement. Instead, while referring to the middle and lower income classes, he stated: “These sections of the society have borne the bulk of the burden of adjustments from higher income taxes deducted at source for salaried workers, higher indirect taxes, and higher inflation.” The SBP statement termed the reported part of the story “factually incorrect and misleading.”

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