Category: Karachi

Karachi: The Regional Tax Office-1 Karachi has surpassed its monthly tax collection target, allocated by the FBR headquarters, during the month of January 2025.

The RTO-1 was required to amass Rs. 26 billion through tax collection under its administrative domain while it amassed Rs. 28.6 billion on the closing date thereby contributing 10% more than the assigned 100% tax collection target.

According to spokesman of the RTO-1, an efficient tax collection, exceeding the monthly target, from a regional office signifies remarkably well for the Federal Board of Revenue that has already been pinpointing its focus on achieving the annual tax collection target for the ongoing FY 2024-25 keeping in view the slim economic state of the country.

The Regional Tax Office-1 has adopted a proactive enforcement strategy to enhance the share of domestic tax in the overall collection. Noteworthy in this regard are actions against tax evaders through on-spot stock takings and penalties on violation of PoS protocols. Owing to these enforcement measures the voluntary tax compliance has shown visible signs of improvement climbing up from a meagre Rs. 300-400 million on an average to over a billion in December and January while the RTO-1 eyes a Rs. 3-4 billion mark in February and March 2025.

Chief Commissioner RTO-1 Dr. Faheem Muhammad appreciated the efforts of his officers and staff in achieving landmark tax collection figures and imparting awareness amongst the trading community regarding PoS violations.

He also called upon tax payers to improve tax compliance voluntarily in the best interest of the country and discourage tax evasion and fraud.

Karachi: The 9th edition of Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN and maiden AMAN Dialogue 2025 aimed at bringing maritime nations together to adopt safe and sustainable procedures, share experiences and collectively address maritime challenges to commence from February 07.

The exercise, divided in sea and harbor phases, is scheduled from 7 to 11 February with participation from over 60 countries including ships, aircrafts, special operations forces, EOD marine teams and observers, the commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Abdul Munib informed the media personnel in a press briefing here on Tuesday.

The growing global participation with representation from every region of the world in the AMAN 2025 reflects the international community's confidence in Pakistan Navy's role in collaborative maritime security, he said.

'This confidence has led to yet another milestone the introduction of the maiden AMAN Dialogue, which will be conducted from February 8 to 10 alongside Exercise AMAN 2025,' he announced and informed that the AMAN Dialogue will bring together Chiefs of Navies, Coast Guards and Defence forces to exchange views on shared global and regional maritime issues.

It will serve as a platform for adopting innovative solutions to address the ever-evolving challenges at sea, he stated adding, in essence, the AMAN Dialogue will merge intellectual discourse with real time practical experiences in the maritime domain.

With the evolving global landscape shifting from geo-politics to geo-economics, the security of global seaborne trade and energy routes has gained unprecedented importance while the Indian Ocean region faces a range of challenges from traditional security threats to non-traditional risks, he highlighted.

These multifaceted issues have broadened the scope of maritime security, compelling nations to re-evaluate their strategies and policies, he added.

Pakistan recognizes that no single country can address the complex challenges at sea alone, he stated adding that Pakistan Navy, in this context, launched biennial multinational exercise AMAN in 2007 under the slogan 'Together for Peace'.

Over the years exercise AMAN has evolved in terms of its objectives and scope as the first edition of AMAN Exercises primarily focused on counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations was attended by 28 countries while the ninth edition is marked with participation of over 60 countries, he observed and added that over time, the scope of exercise has expanded paving the way for doctrinal synergy to counter emerging maritime challenges.

Rear Admiral Abdul Munib informed that the AMAN 2025 is divided into two phases, i.e. Harbor and Sea. The Harbor phase to be conducted from February 7 to 9 will include various activities such as seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international gatherings and sports fixtures.

The Sea phase of the exercise from 10 to 11 February will feature tactical maneuvers and maritime security exercises, including anti-piracy and counter terrorism operations, search and rescue drills, and live firing exercises, he informed and added that the highlight of the sea phase will be the International fleet Review, which will be witnessed by both foreign and national delegates.

The Exercise AMAN 2025 will play a vital role in enhancing maritime security and strengthening Pakistan's position as a key maritime player capable of contributing to regional and global peace and shared prosperity while safeguarding its Sea lines of communication and economic interest, he maintained.

The Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, responding to a media query, informed that AMAN Dialogue is the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff aimed at bringing together heads of naval and maritime forces at a strategic policy level forum under a collaborative approach and finding out solutions to challenges which remained unaddressed earlier.

The participation of naval chiefs of 14 countries has been confirmed so far while we are expecting to receive more confirmations as well, he added.

On a question about the contribution of the exercises in fostering the blue economy, he said that our objective is secure and safe seas for global trade as security and maritime economy are intertwined in maritime domain.

Karachi: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori has prorogued Sindh Assembly after conclusion of the business of the house here on Tuesday.

According to a notification issued here by the Secretary Provincial Assembly, Governor Sindh, in exercise powers conferred on him under Article 109 of the constitution, issued order and prorogued Assembly session after conclusion of the business of the session on February 4,2025.

Karachi: As part of its efforts to promote green finance in the country, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Tuesday, released the draft National Green Taxonomy for public consultation.

The National Green Taxonomy, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC and EC) with technical assistance from the World Bank, provides clear definitions of green projects and activities enabling the policy makers, banks and financial institutions and investors to increase capital flows to the sectors for climate risk mitigation and adaptation, said a statement issued here.

The taxonomy will also provide clarity to financial markets about the green projects and activities, increase transparency in green investments and financial products, mitigate climate-related financial risks, and help the financial sector direct capital flows to projects or activities that will meet the country's environmental and climate objectives.

To ensure that the taxonomy reflects a holistic view of all market players, the draft taxonomy has been uploaded on SBP official website for public consultation, the SBP spokesperson informed, adding that the consultation period will be open from February 04-18, 2025 (two weeks).

For ease of understanding, a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is also available alongside the draft document. The feedback may be submitted at [email protected] using the Feedback Form provided on the SBP website and could be accessed via the link: https: //www.sbp.org.pk/greentaxonomy/PGT.asp

The SBP encouraged all the stakeholders including the environment professionals and banks and public at large to share their valuable feedback on the draft taxonomy enabling it to issue and roll out the finalized taxonomy as per plan.

Karachi: The by-election to the seats of the Syndicate of the University of Karachi from the constituency of the associate professor, assistant professor, and lecturer was held at KU's Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday.

The Returning Officer and the Registrar of the University Professor Dr Abdul Waheed announced the results of the election in which the faculty members cast their votes from 09: 30 am to 1: 00 pm.

According to details, Dr Mohsin Ali bagged 42 votes and Dr Noman Saeed received 27 votes for the seat of associate professor. Syed Gufran Alam got 145 votes while Dr Asad Khan Tanoli collected 79 votes for the seat of the assistant professor. Shumaila Samad Khan had 37 votes and Kashif Riaz had 27 votes for the seat of the lecturer. They will hold the office till October 26, 2025.

Meanwhile, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi congratulated the newly elected members of the Syndicate.

Karachi: The Associate Dean of the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology of the University of Salford, Timothy Isherwood, visited the National Academy of Performing Arts-NAPA on Monday and met with the Chairman NAPA, Syed Jawaid Iqbal, CEO Junaid Zuberi, and COO Sameeta Ahmed.

He discussed matters of mutual interest including academic collaboration between the Salford University and the NAPA.

Also present at the meeting was the Head of Theater for NAPA, Afreen Seher.

Isherwood was briefed about the working of NAPA particularly its Theater Program. He was also taken around to various NAPA facilities including the Zia Mohyeddin Theater.

He was, later, presented with the NAPA memento by the Chairman NAPA.