ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Member National Assembly Riaz Fatyana on Tuesday called on President Dr. Arif Alivi at the Awan-e-Sadr.
A statement issued by media wing of the President House said.
MNA Riaz Fatyana calls on president
Pakistan has to make a policy to deal with non-citizens: PM
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said Pakistan cannot continue to ignore the issue of non-citizens and needs a policy to grant citizenship rights to those who have been living here for decades, were born or married here.
Speaking on a point of order here at the National Assembly, the prime minister said the issue of ignoring this vital segment of society was not doing the country any good.
“We were informed in a briefing at Karachi that most of those involved in street crimes belonged to this section of society. Since they were not granted citizenship they were not able to get admission in schools or get a job. What else would they do?”
“We are producing an underclass,” Imran Khan warned and said a policy needs to be devised in this regard.
He agreed with Akhtar Mengal who pointed that Pakistan had inked an agreement for the return of the Afghan refugees. But, he said that under the Pakistan law of 1951, the children born in Pakistan get the citizenship status. It is the same in many other countries, he added.
He said Pakistan has different laws for the refugees and for those who came from Bangladesh, around 45 years back. He said for generations, they have not been given the right and were being exploited and were paid half the salary. Neither they can return, nor can they get citizenship, he said.
Imran Khan said he had taken up this issue since it was a human rights issue.
“We are dealing with humans. We have to look after them,” he added.
The prime minister said a policy decision, after a thorough debate, in this regard was necessary and said “If we don’t do it now, who will do it?”
He said under the international conventions, the refugees cannot be forced to return. He said the issue in Pakistan was being looked after by the UNHCR. However the government needs to formulate a plan to cater to those who have been living here for a long time, have got married, and have children. He pointed that the children of refugees born in the European Union too had a right to citizenship.
Finance (Amendment) Bill to help in curtailing fiscal deficit, provide maximum relief
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umar on Tuesday said that the Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill 2018 included several measures for providing relief to the poor including allocation of Rs 4.5 billion for construction of 8276 houses, 30 percent cut in prices of LNG and reduction in tax slab from 35 percent to 29 percent.
He said that the previous government presented an unrealistic budget by overstating expenditure of Rs 350 billion and understating expenditure of Rs 250 billion. The workers welfare fund was wiped out by the previous government but the incumbent government has allocated Rs.4.5 billion for construction of 8276 houses.
Highlighting the salient features of the Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill 2018 introduced by him in National Assembly in the context of economic situation, Asad Umar said that the budget presented by the previous government projects fiscal deficit at 4.6 percent and if the present measures are not taken it will be 7.1 percent.
He said that the present measures will reduce the fiscal deficit to 5.1 percent of GDP.
The minister said that the fiscal deficit during year 2012 was 6.6 percent and it is same in 2017-18, while today the debt to GDP ratio is 72.5 percent and total debt is Rs. 30 trillion. ·
He said that budget deficit was not sustainable and real crisis was foreign exchange reserves as external debt today stood at US$ 95 billion in 2012-13.
In 2013, six billion were enough to meet six weeks of import and now it is 7.5 billion and enough to meet seven weeks of import. He said that government printed currency equal to Rs. 1200 billion and the last year budget deficit does not reflect two trillion of deficits which includes circular debt etc.
Asad Umar said that PSO was on the verge of bankruptcy which had international consequences. The Government, he said, promised China for a separate fund to pay previous power projects installed by China that was never created.
He said that we have increased 10 percent gas prices for the poor and 30 percent for the rich people while there has been 30 percent cut in LPG prices which is used by the poor.
The minister said that we will protect autonomy of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) which will be responsible for exchange rate and monetary policy. He was hopeful to curtail fiscal deficit and said that no other province except Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) showed surplus which was Rs.34 billion last year.
He said that non filers will now be allowed to purchase property and vehicles because overseas Pakistanis who were non filers were facing severe problems. The minister said that Rs 26 billion taxes will be collected by increase of excise duty on cigarettes.
Federal excise duties on vehicles above 1800 CC have been increased from 10 to 20 percent, he said adding that the minimum taxation rate is maintained at Rs1.2 million.
The minister said that only 70,000 rich people will be affected with the reversal of taxation measures taken by the previous government and the expected earnings is Rs 26 billion.
He said that taxes slab has been reduced from 35 percent to 29 percent while prime minister, ministers and governors will no longer have tax exemption.
The Federal Government will provide health cards to FATA while the Punjab Government has been directed to provide Health Cards for coverage expenditure upto Rs 540,000 as done in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The minimum pension for EOBI has been increased by 10%, he said adding that the export industry will be
encouraged by withdrawing regulatory duties on raw material. Government has also provided subsidiary of Rs 44 billion on gas for export oriented industry.
Finance Minister said that the discretionary fund of prime minister of Rs 80 billion has been withdrawn. The actual expenditure of PSDP last year was Rs. 61 billion which has been increased to 725 billion, he added.
Govt presents finance supplementary amendments bill 2018, ends exemption on salaries of PM, CMs, governors, ministers
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Finance Minister Asad Umar here on Tuesday presented Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill 2018 in National Assembly and announced to withdraw exemption on the salaries and allowances of Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, governors
and federal ministers.
The finance minister began his speech with an assessment of the country’s
economic situation, noting that the budget deficit had expanded to 6.6 per cent
from 4.1 per cent at the start of the last government’s tenure.
“The most dangerous situation is that if we continue as we have, the
budget deficit will expand 7.2 per cent by the end of the ongoing year. This is
the assessment of the finance ministry as well as economic experts,” Umar
said.
Warning that the country’s foreign exchange reserves had depleted to only
two months of import cover, and drawing attention to the fall in the rupee’s
value against the dollar, the finance minister said that difficult decisions
had to be made or inflationary pressures would build up to the point that they
would become painful for the average consumer.
“We need to decide — not the government alone, but the parliament
together — if we want to continue like this?” he asked.
“The government overestimated revenues by Rs 350 billion and understated
expenditures by Rs 250 billion,” he said.
“In total, there is a Rs 890 billion difference in the projected and budgeted figures for the deficit which we have
to arrest.”
“These are difficult times, and they call for difficult measures,” Umar said.
“We need to make sure the burden of our economic measures fall on those who can bear it. The poor are already resource stressed, and we cannot burden them further. Sure, we can seek bailouts but that is not the solution:
we can only grow when our economy grows, our industries and our people grow.”
He said, “For farmers, we are ensuring the provision of urea by boosting
local production and by importing 100,000 tons from abroad coupled with a Rs 6-7
billion subsidy.”
The minister said, “We will provide Rs 540,000 per family in the form of
the Sehat Insaf Card for doctors’ fees and medicines in Fata and Islamabad. We have also
instructed the Punjab government to introduce the facility in that province as well.”
Asad said,”We have also directed the release of Rs 4.5 billion for the
completion of a housing scheme for the underprivileged.”
“Minimum pension has been increased by 10 pc for EOBI pensioners” he
added
He said, the government had also withdrawn Rs 100 billion extra levy on petroleum
products, as it hopefully decreased the price of petroleum products.
The Minister said, “The big decision we made yesterday was a Rs 44 billion
benefit for the textile industry in Punjab. We will also work to create benefits for the zero-rated sectors in our electricity
measures.”
He said, “We will raise Rs 183 billion in additional revenue. Half of
this will be raised merely through better administrative procedures that
utilise technology to plug leakages in the system. The Federal Board of Revenue
has accepted this challenge.”
“The rate of WHT on non-filers has been increased back to 0.6 pc on
banking transactions,” he added
He said decision had been made to increase taxes on cigarettes.
He said, “We have also increased some taxes on the rich. We have
doubled the duty on cars of 1800cc engine capacity or more. We have also
decided to increase the duty on several imported luxury products. Likewise, the
duty will be increased on expensive phones.”
“The last government had given sweeping tax relief to all kinds of people,
including the most rich. The final decision we’ve taken is that we’ll maintain
the Rs1,200,000 limit on exemption. We are also maintaining the tax rate for those
earning between Rs 100,000 to Rs 200,000. For all categories above that, we are
increasing the tax rate that was applicable in May, but it will remain lower
than what it was last year. We hope that the people who have the means will not
oppose us on this” he added
Asad said, “we are asking the privileged to sacrifice for the sake of Pakistan, we
have also decided to withdraw certain tax exemptions from prime ministers and
ministers,”.
The Minister said “Rs 661 billion were spent on development last year,
and we will spend Rs 725 billon this year. Out of this, we will be spending Rs 50
billion on development in Karachi. This is a joint venture between the federal and Sindh governments.”
“We have also identified infrastructure priorities for the National
Highway Authority, on which we will spend Rs 100 bln. We will spend another Rs 500
bln on PSDP”, he added.
The Minister said that he was sure past governments had done whatever they
believed was necessary for the benefit of the country.
Umar said the nation collectively needed to acknowledge that those measures had not worked.
Promising that he would uphold and continue with the projects introduced by
past governments — especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and dams on
which work is ongoing — the finance minister stressed that the economy’s
success meant parliament’s success.
“This nation was given to us by God. There is so much potential in this
country, and we will, God-willing, take it to new heights.”
In the five-year term of the PML-N government, foreign debt
increased by 34 billion dollar, while foreign exchange reserves continued to
decline speedily, Umar recalled.
He further said that the depleting foreign exchange reserves had led to the
Pakistan rupee’s depreciation.
No extra burden on middle,lower class in supplementary budget: Asad Umar
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Minister for Finance, Asad Umar Tuesday said that the government had not proposed to impose any extra burden on middle and lower segment of the society and all the extra taxes were being levied on the upper income class in the supplementary budget.
While addressing a press conference here after presenting the Finance (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in National Assembly and the Senate, Asad Umar said the amendments in the budget were inevitable due to numerous overambitious estimations in the budget presented by former minister for Finance, Miftah Ismail in May this year.
The government overestimated revenues by Rs 350 billion and understated expenditures by Rs 250 billion, he said adding in total, there was a Rs 890 billion difference in the projected and budgeted figures for the deficit.
He said the country was undergoing severe economic crisis therefore the government took emergency measures to relieve these crisis.
The minister claimed that 100 percent additional burden was put on the wealthy people and non-filers, while the poor segment of the society was given relief in various sectors.
Asad Umar said previous fiscal year ended with a current account deficit of over $18.1 billion and if the present government could not introduce extra measures, the deficit could touch the $21 billion mark by end of current fiscal year.
He said in order to boost exports of the country which were main source of increasing foreign exchange reserves, the government had proposed special relief measures on export sector including reducing gas price for all the zero rated export oriented sectors, and reducing import duties on export related raw material.
The minister hoped that due to measures introduced by the government, a large number of small and medium factories would start their functions within few months thus increasing exports and creation of thousands of new jobs.
Furthermore, he added that the government had reduced taxes on LPG gas used for commercial and domestic purposes from 30 per cent to 10 percent which would help decline of Rs 200 per cylinder.
Regarding relief to agriculture sector, the minister said “we have already announced subsidy of over Rs 6 billion on urea fertilizer for the farmers and would announce further relief measures for them in near future”.
To a question, the minister informed that tax slabs for income tax of salaried with income of up to
Rs 2.4 million per year or Rs 200,000 per month would remain the same, but income tax for salaried class with income of over Rs 2.4 million per year would be increased to 25 percent while for non salaried class the tax rate would be 29 percent.
Replying to another query, the minister said that Federal Excise Duty (FED) on vehicles with range of 1800 cc and above would be increased from 10 percent to 20 percent.
He informed that the government had also initiated work on reforms in the economic sector, and within few weeks the reforms would be finalized.
Meanwhile speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for revenue, Hammad Azhar said that total revenue impact of the new taxation measures would be around Rs 178 billion while the government had also proposed a number of relief so the net impact of revenue would be Rs 120 billion.
He said out of these measures, worth Rs 92 billion were those which were related to enforcement measures including avoiding smuggling, stopping illegal businesses, etc.
Giving details about the new tariffs, the minister of state said that Regulatory Duty on 312 tariff lines of luxury items had been proposed while RD on other 295 tariff lines had also been proposed and RD on import of some export related items has also been proposed to be reduced.
To a question, Hamad Azhar said due to proposed extra duty on cigarettes, the government would get extra Rs 40 billion while price of one packet of cigarette would increase by Rs 7 to10.
He said in order to stop smuggling and illicit production of tobacco products, the government would use the latest technology and would ensure crackdown against those involved in the illegal activities.
Hamad informed that the government had also to revise down the revenue target for year 2018-19 to Rs 4390 which was around Rs 250 billion lower as compared to the actual target due to wrong and over estimation by the previous government.
Highlights of the proposed supplementary Finance Bill, 2018
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The government on Tuesday has presented suggestions proposed in the supplementary Finance Bill 2018 as the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Asad Umar brought the Bill before the House for open discussion and recommendations.
The suggestions proposed by the federal government in Finance Bill, 2018 are;
-Federal development programme cut by Rs250 billion to Rs725 billion
-Budget deficit to be brought down to 5.1 per cent
-Increased federal excise duty on imports of luxury vehicles and duties on ‘expensive’ cell phones
-Tax relief revoked from salaried persons earning more than Rs200,000 per month
-Tax rate in highest income tax slab raised from 15pc to 30pc
-Customs duty increased on more than 5,000 ‘luxury’ items
-Regulatory duty increased on import of more than 900 items,
-Rate of withholding tax on banking transactions for non-tax filers also increased to 0.6pc
-Issuance of Insaf Sehat Cards approved for former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
-The government withdraws its decision to increase petroleum development levy
-Rs 5 billion relief provided to export industry
-Minimum pension increased to Rs10,000
-Duty on expensive mobile phones to be increased
-Duty on 1800cc and above vehicles set at 20 per cent
-Withholding Tax (WHT) on banking transactions for non-filers increased to 0.6 per cent
-Health Card system will be introduced across Pakistan
-Non-filer will be able to buy vehicles, property,
-Tax on tobacco to be increased as well.
Fawad terms Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill 2018 historic step
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday termed the Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill 2018 a historic step to put the economy on the track.
Talking to media outside the Parliament House, he said that the country was facing financial crisis due to the mismanagement and wrongdoings of the previous governments, whose members were now sitting on the opposition benches in the house.
He said had these opposition parties during their respective tenures performed well, today the country would not have been facing any financial crisis.
Fawad said that only the financially strong people would pay more taxes, and dispelled the perception that the poor would have to face inflation.
About setting up of Parliamentary Commission, he said it seemed that opposition was not clear about its objectives. He said that those who had lost the election would never accept the results.
He said many things would come out, if an inquiry was held since the 1990 elections.
Explaining the refugees issue, he said that those who were born in Pakistan should be given nationality, adding that there was a need to demonstrate large heartedness in this regard.
UN calls for urgent action to end TB
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (APP):A high-level U.N. meeting next week may jolt efforts to fight tuberculosis, the world’s deadliest infectious disease, as countries around the world are not doing enough to do so, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday, at the release of the latest Global Tuberculosis Report.
The report shows that worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) cases are falling too slowly to meet the targets set by WHO’s End TB Strategy.
The deadly disease, which usually infects the lungs and is transmitted through the air, remains one of the top 10 causes of worldwide deaths, and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, above HIV/AIDS. This is despite the fact that global efforts have averted an estimated 54 million TB deaths since 2000.
The geographical disparity in cases is stark, with 500 cases per 100,000 in some countries including Mozambique, the Philippines and South Africa; and fewer than 10 per 100,000, in high-incomes countries. The report shows that almost a quarter of the world’s population, some 1.3 billion people, are at risk of developing TB during their lifetime, and around 10 million people are estimated to have caught the disease during 2017.
Drug-resistant TB remains a public health crisis, with more than 500,000 believed to have contracted TB resistant to rifampicin, the most effective frontline drug.
The report was launched in the lead up to the first-ever General Assembly high-level meeting on TB at UN Headquarters in New York on 26 September, under the theme “United to end TB: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic”.
This high-level meeting comes in the wake of the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending TB, which took place in Moscow in November 2017, resulting in high-level commitments from nearly 120 countries to accelerate the response to eradicating TB.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking in June at a preparatory civil society hearing held at United Nations Headquarters, said that, to win the fight against tuberculosis, it is necessary to tackle the “social drivers” of the disease – in particular poverty and inequality – head on, making greater efforts to provide universal health coverrage and combat the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance.
“We have never seen such high-level political attention and understanding of what the world needs to do to end TB and drug-resistant TB”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebrayesus, WHO Director-General. “We must capitalize on this new momentum and act together to end this terrible disease.”
Whilst under-reporting and under-diagnosis are mentioned as major challenges in the fight against TB, the most urgent stumbling block is funding.
In 2018, investments in TB prevention and care in low- and middle-income countries fell $3.5 billion short of what is needed. Without an increase, the funding gap will rise to over $6 billion by 2022.
The report describes the 26 September high-level meeting as a “historic opportunity to put the TB response back on track”.
Doctor Teresa Kasaeva, Director of the WHO’s Global TB Programme, said that “it is unacceptable that millions lose their lives, and many more suffer daily from this preventable and curable disease. We need to join forces to root out this disease that has a devastating social and economic impact on those who are left behind, whose human rights and dignity are limited, and those who struggle to access care”, she said, adding that: “The time for action is now.”
NA approves resolution for construction of new dams
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The National Assembly Tuesday approved a resolution for the construction of new dams in the country. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking on the floor of the House said the country was facing a major crisis of water and energy shortages.
“The country will plunge into darkness if new water reservoirs are not made,” he
added.
“There is no confusion regarding the construction of dams. All four provinces signed
an agreement in 1991 in this regard and we accept that as well as the agreement
mentioned” he added.
Qureshi said for the first time, the chief justice and prime minister sought help from the
nation adding the nation was extending support on this matter
and there was no confusion regarding the construction of dams.
“Pakistan’s future is linked to construction dams,” he added.
However, Pakistan Peoples Party expressed reservations against the
construction of Kalabagh Dam and party MNA Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur
protest.
“We support the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam but not of
Kalabagh Dam,” Talpur added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif
supported the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam, adding collecting funds
for the construction of dams was a positive step.
“The matter of construction of dams should not be politicised,” he added.
Asif continued that the water policy which was signed by all four provinces in April
2018 included the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam.
The agreement clarified very thing
regarding the dam, he added.
The water policy issue was under consideration since 2013 and was finally resolved
in 2018 and the credit for that went to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N), he added.
Asif said, “Rs 150 billion were spent on Bhasha Dam of which Rs 122 billion was the cost of land and Rs 23 billion were fixed for its
annually expenditure.”
“The dam will be completed in nine years. However, if you want to speed its
construction then the yearly cost will go up from Rs 23 billion to Rs 40 billion
but it will be completed in the next five to six years,” he said.
Govt proposes no cut on CPEC, Bhasa dam, HEC projects
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Minister for Finance, Asad Umar Tuesday said that no cut in development budget for projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, Diamer-Bhasha dam and Higher Education Commission was proposed in the supplementary budget.
Presenting the supplementary budget in the National Assembly, the minister said the government proposed to slash around Rs 250 billion on the development projects under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 to Rs 725 billion.
The previous government allocated Rs 23 billion for Diamer-Bhasha dam and Rs 46 billion for various development projects of HEC under PSDP 2018-19.
PM Imran Saudi Arabia visit to further improve ties: Faheem
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Adviser to Saudi Minister for Information Faheem Bin Hamid Al-Hamid Tuesday said Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were enjoying brotherly, historical relations and the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi had great importance and would be result-oriented.
Talking to PTV, he said the Saudi Arabia and Pakistan ties were like one soul and two hearts. The first foreign visit of the Pakistani prime minister would give message of love, peace and affection, he added.
He said Imran Khan with the company of competent team including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain would make the visit to Saudi Arabia successful.
He said Imran Khan had brought the message of love and support for Saudi Arabia and would meet the Crown Prince, the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and speak with his heart. The bilateral visit would focus on cooperation and coordination as Saudi Arabia was leader of the Muslim countries. “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would work to project real Islam to the world,” he stated.
He said the visit would help in further strengthening the bilateral, brotherly, strategic and economic relations.
Both the countries were ready to work together under 2030 Vision which was a game changer for Saudi Arabia, Middle East and the Muslim countries, he added.
To a question, he said Pakistan had huge potential of mineral resources and others, but stability was required for a prosperous Pakistan.
He said there were great investment opportunities in Pakistan, and added the Pakistani community was playing important role in the development of Saudi Arabia.
He said during the visit the national flags of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would be hoisted in the streets of Jeddah.
To another question, he said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia wanted peace in Afghanistan adding Pakistan and Afghanistan had suffered a lot in the war on terror.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should support Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to help tackle all the issues facing the Muslim countries, he added.
256 insurgents f Balochistan lay down arms
QUETTA, Sep 18 (APP):At least 256 insurgents, including commanders of different banned outfits surrendered with their arms here on Tuesday in the presence of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan.
A ceremony, in this regard, was held at the premises of Balochistan Assembly which was also attended by Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Inspector General Frontier Corps Balochistan Major General and other provincial ministers.
The rebel militants handed their weapons including 53 SMGs, two rocket launchers and one
rifles before the CM Balochistan and security officials.
They were reported to be resident of various districts of Balochistan including Kuhlu, Kalat, Loralai,
Dera Bughti, Sibi, Khuzdar, Nushki and other areas. The surrendered Farraris remained involved in different subversive activities in the province.
They expressed regret over their anti-state activities in the past and pledged to remain loyal to the country in future.
Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said measures were being taken to improve law and order situation for maintaining peace across the province through efforts of law enforcement agencies, adding people who would disrupt the peace process in the country would be taken to task.
He assured the surrendered rebel militants that they would be respected like other citizens of the country, saying that they were misguided against the state by enemies.
The provincial government would fight for their rights, provide them financial assistance and ensure that their children could get education, he added.
“Our commitment is to remove backwardness from Balochistan”, he said, adding the government was aware of the public issues while ending unemployment, provision of facilities of health and education were great challenges for the government.
Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan further said the current regime had accepted these challenges in order to put the province on the track of development.
No religious, ethical, racial discrimination permitted: Afridi
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi in the
National Assembly session here on Tuesday said no permission would be given to
anyone in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to make religious, ethnic and racial
discrimination.
The minister said, “No such thing will be tolerated that hurts
any countryman’s sect, caste, ethics and religion”.
He emphasized that no drama serial or soap and film would be acceptable depicting any religious, cultural,
provincial, regional and ethnic dress code’s portraying terrorism.
Afridi belived that Muslims were not terrorist and had not
any association with extremism and terrorism. Any such content posing stark
criticism on religious, ethnic and regional beliefs would be discouraged, he
added.
Resolving differences crucial to ensure global peace, prosperity says Afridi
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):State Minister for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi on Tuesday urged the international community to shun their differences and play a collective role to ensure global peace and prosperity.
“We are living in very potential region which is full of natural energy resources. Over half of the population of the world is living in this region which includes countries like China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The economic integration among these countries can become crucial in power game in the world,” he said while addressing at the concluding ceremony of international conference on “Global Peace Amidst War and Conflict organized by Centre For Peace, Security and Developmental Studies (CPSD) here at a hotel.
He said that countries in our neighboring region should play responsible role for maintaining peace and to protect future of our generations by ensuring economic development and prosperity.
“It’s high time, we need to start thinking about shared prosperity and common goals and get united like other region of the world,” he maintained. .
He said that India is our neighboring country and both of us should think about the importance of neighborhood for mutual benefits and prosperity.
He stressed the global community to think about the future of children and protect their lives from common threats. “The global community should work to protect every child without any discrimination”, he added.
Being a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he told the participants about the terrorism threats being faced by the people of the area.
“We need to sit for protecting human lives in this globe. International community should sit to maintain peace and protect the youngsters who are involved in suicide bombing,” he added.
The minister urged responsible attitude from each country and to remove mis-perception as well as misunderstandings, if they existed between any of the country with other.
He said that peace in the world must be the top priority and added Pakistan had given great sacrifices for that purpose. The incumbent government, he said, was committed for global peace and to bridge the gaps for common goals of shared prosperity as well as peace in the world.
The minister said, “We must know the importance of humanity and to show our commitment to resolve the conflicts all over the world for common welfare.”
The minister invited the international community to join the hands and be united for common goals of sustainable development and prosperity.
He said that the entire global community must think for the common people and those who are living below the poverty line.
He hoped that Pakistan would emerge as an important country, which would have the significant role in affairs of the world.
Govt working with realistic approach to over economic crisis: Aamer Kiani
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani Tuesday said that government was working with realistic approach to overcome the economic crisis in the country.
Talking to media persons here outside Parliament House, he said that no tax was being imposed on the common man, adding that only people financially strong would be brought into the tax net.
He said that the Finance Supplementary Amendment Bill, 2018 was presented in the Upper House which would be in the best interest of the country.
He said that those who criticizing dam fund raising campaign should keep in mind that with involvement of the nation, dams’ construction could be completed soon.
He said that his ministry would start work on the up-gradation of hospitals and other health facilities in the country.
Relief provided to common man in supplementary budget: Hamad
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Minister of State for Revenue Hamad Azhar Tuesday said relief had been provided to common man in the supplementary budget and no extra tax was imposed.
Tax would be collected from upper class while the government had not proposed to impose any extra burden of tax on middle and lower class, he said talking to a private news channel.
He said the national economy was in worst condition when PTI came into power and measures had now been taken to improve the economy.
He said Insaf Sehat Card facility would be expanded to Islamabad Capital Territory and Federally Administrated and Tribal Areas (Fata) to facilitate masses.
Hamad Azhar said in order to stop smuggling and illicit production of tobacco products, the government would use the latest technology and ensure crackdown against those involved in the illegal activities.
Govt not imposed tax on poor masses: Shafqat Mahmood
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood Tuesday said that the government had not imposed any tax on the poor segment in the country.
Talking to media outside Parliament House here, he said that unfortunately,
the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) had played tricks in
presenting budget by hiding the actual figures and there was difference of Rs 900 billions.
He said that the government was making efforts to overcome the financial situation by taking various
measures.
He said that Rs 30,000 billions loans were taken by the
previous governments which now being faced by the present government. He said
that export had also decreased which was causing loss of Rs 18 billion to the
national exchequer.
Govt making efforts to not take foreign loans: Malik Amin Aslam
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Tuesday said that government was making efforts to not take foreign loans.
Talking to APP, the Advisor said that PTI government would strive hard to run the government with its own resources.
He said PTI leadership wanted to become role model for all others and give justice to the people.
He said that the previous government presented budget with wrong figures and expenditure.
He appealed the people to support PTI initiative for improving the economic situation in the country. He said that next year, PTI government would bring improvement in the budget.
Tthe previous government hidden the actual budget financial figures from the Nation, the Minister added.
Talking about Asia Cup, he expressed desire for victory of Pakistan in the tournament.
Govt to release Rs 4.5 billion for housing scheme of underprivileged people
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The Federal government Tuesday directed to release of Rs 4.5 billion for the completion of a housing scheme for the underprivileged segment of the country.
Presenting a Supplementary Finance amendment Bill 2018 in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Asad Umar said after completion of this project 10,000 more houses would be constructed.
He said the government would provide Rs 540,000 per family in the form of the Sehat Insaf Card for doctors’ fees and medicines in FATA and Islamabad. We have also instructed the Punjab government to introduce the facility in that province as well.”
US awaits details of citizenship plans for Pakistan-born Afghan children
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (APP):The United Nations is looking forward to the details of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s plans to grant citizenship to Pakistan-born children of Afghan refugees, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.
“We have to see the details,” Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
At the same time, he welcomed “the choice given to Afghan refugees, who are far from home, the option to resettle in the country that sometimes for these children is the only country that they actually know.”
The prime minister, in his first official visit to Karachi on Sunday, had pledged to end the Afghan and Bengali refugees’ plight by issuing them passports and national identity cards.