FBR’s transformation plan underway to reduce tax gap: Ali Malik

Islamabad: State Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ali Pervaiz Malik on Monday told the National Assembly that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was undergoing a transformation plan to reduce the tax gap and improve its operations.

Replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour of the 12th session of the 16th meeting of the NA, he said that restructuring of the Inland Revenue Services(IRS) and Customs Directorate was underway on the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

He said that FBR operation was also being strengthened at 22 bridges on the Indus River to curb smuggling and improve tax collection.

Ali added that the government had successfully reduced the prices of petrol from Rs300 per litre to Rs250 per litre while efforts were also underway to reduce the prices of electricity to the maximum lowest level.

ANF recovers over 123 kg drugs in 7 operations

Rawalpindi: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting 7 operations across the country managed to recover over 123 kg drugs worth over Rs 10 million and arrested three accused, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Monday.

He informed that 320 grams opium was recovered from two parcels booked for Italy and Spain through a courier office in Karachi.

60 kg hashish hidden in machines sent from Peshawar through railway cargo was recovered in Natha Khan Bridge, Karachi.

10.8 kg opium and 22.8 kg hashish were recovered during a raid conducted on a house near Nankana Sahib in Lahore and an accused was arrested.

In an operation conducted in Gwadar, Balochistan, 28 kg hashish was recovered.

1.2 kg hashish was recovered from the possession of an accused rounded up on M-1 Motorway, Islamabad.

In 6th operation, 316 grams hashish was recovered from the possession of the accused netted on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi.

In 7th operation, 44 grams hashish was recovered from a parcel sent to Lahore from a private courier office in Quetta.

Cases have been registered against the arrested accused under the Narcotics Control Act and further investigations are under process.

ANF recovers over 123 kg drugs in 7 operations

Rawalpindi: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting 7 operations across the country managed to recover over 123 kg drugs worth over Rs 10 million and arrested three accused, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Monday.

He informed that 320 grams opium was recovered from two parcels booked for Italy and Spain through a courier office in Karachi.

60 kg hashish hidden in machines sent from Peshawar through railway cargo was recovered in Natha Khan Bridge, Karachi.

10.8 kg opium and 22.8 kg hashish were recovered during a raid conducted on a house near Nankana Sahib in Lahore and an accused was arrested.

In an operation conducted in Gwadar, Balochistan, 28 kg hashish was recovered.

1.2 kg hashish was recovered from the possession of an accused rounded up on M-1 Motorway, Islamabad.

In 6th operation, 316 grams hashish was recovered from the possession of the accused netted on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi.

In 7th operation, 44 grams hashish was recovered from a parcel sent to Lahore from a private courier office in Quetta.

Cases have been registered against the arrested accused under the Narcotics Control Act and further investigations are under process.

ANF recovers over 123 kg drugs in 7 operations

Rawalpindi: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting 7 operations across the country managed to recover over 123 kg drugs worth over Rs 10 million and arrested three accused, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Monday.

He informed that 320 grams opium was recovered from two parcels booked for Italy and Spain through a courier office in Karachi.

60 kg hashish hidden in machines sent from Peshawar through railway cargo was recovered in Natha Khan Bridge, Karachi.

10.8 kg opium and 22.8 kg hashish were recovered during a raid conducted on a house near Nankana Sahib in Lahore and an accused was arrested.

In an operation conducted in Gwadar, Balochistan, 28 kg hashish was recovered.

1.2 kg hashish was recovered from the possession of an accused rounded up on M-1 Motorway, Islamabad.

In 6th operation, 316 grams hashish was recovered from the possession of the accused netted on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi.

In 7th operation, 44 grams hashish was recovered from a parcel sent to Lahore from a private courier office in Quetta.

Cases have been registered against the arrested accused under the Narcotics Control Act and further investigations are under process.

High Commissioner emphasizes strengthening Pak-Singapore ties

Islamabad: High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq on Monday highlighted the longstanding strong growing bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Singapore, emphasizing continued collaboration at bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.

She stated that over the past few decades, Pakistan and Singapore had steadily cultivated its political economic and institutional partnership with Singapore. While engagements have laid a strong foundation for cooperation across multiple sectors, she stressed that there existed immense myriad potential untapped.

She made these remarks while addressing members of Singapore Press Club in a gathering at Pakistan House, Singapore, according to a press release received here.

The event, attended by journalists and communication specialists, featured a display of books showcasing Pakistan's tourism potential and rich cultural heritage. Participants were also served with traditional Pakistani cuisine.

During her address to the journalists, the High Commissioner emphasized that both Pakistan and Singapore were committed to working together.

While diplomatic ties have flourished, the economic and trade relationship between Pakistan and Singapore still holds untapped potential, the High Commissioner said.

Currently, the trade volume between the two countries stands at approximately US$1.193 billion, which is relatively modest compared to other South Asian nations and the Halal products sector presents significant potential, she added.

She further said that another promising development was Pakistan's growing presence in Singapore's fintech ecosystem. Since 2019, there has been regular participation in the Singapore Fintech Festival, showcasing the innovative potential of Pakistani startups.

This engagement has led to increased participation by Pakistani companies in global fintech events, further expanding opportunities for collaboration, the High Commissioner said.

Siddiqui rejects media claims about govt’s response to PTI demands

Islamabad: Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary party leader of PML-N in the Senate and spokesperson for the government's negotiating committee, has refuted media reports claiming that the government committee has finalized its response to PTI's Charter of Demands.

In a statement on the social media platform X, Siddiqui dismissed these reports as baseless, clarifying that the seven-party committee is still engaged in mutual consultations and seeking guidance from their respective leaderships. He further stated that preparing a final response could take another week.