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PR. NO. 134. Federal Tax Ombudsman Justice ® Munir A Sheikh has asked Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to rescind the order-in-appeal and order-in-original passed on the complainant by Sale Tax Department. This decision was taken by the FTO on the complaint of M/S Chiniot Enterprises, which manufacturers’ vegetable ghee and oils in Haripur against the Sale Tax Department which has not allowed Sales Tax refund claimed by the Complainant. The Department has rejected the claim on the plea that the supplier did not file his return for the month and the claim exceeded the declared output. The FTO has ruled that the supplier’s failure to file his return can’t be ascribed complainant’s fault. He has observed that the Department has committed maladministration. The FTO has recommended to the FBR to direct competent authority to rescind order-in-appeal and O-I-O under the provisions of Sales Tax Act, 1990. The payments of Sales Tax made by the complainant will be verified if found verifiable, the claim of refund will be considered under the law. He has also recommended to the FBR that the compliance should reach this office within 60 days of their receipt by the Chairman, FBR. FK/Ahmad
PR. No. 135. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to Prime Minister/Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives has left for Morocco on a five-day official visit to attend the inaugural session of Pak-Moroccon Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). Besides attending the Inaugural Session of Pak-Morocco JMC, he will also hold meetings with number of Moroccon dignitaries including President of House of Representatives, Minister for External Trade, Prime Minister of Morocco and Moroccon Minister for Industries. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo will also meet Pakistani Community in Morocco. He will convey Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relationship with Morocco in economic, cultural, scientific, agricultural and other fields. He will also reiterate Pakistan’s wish to institutionalize bilateral relationship with Morocco in all important fields for which JMC can provide an umbrella. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo will highlight the scope for cooperation in manufacture of fertilizer, textile, leather, surgical instruments agricultural implements (pumps, tractors, etc), shipbuilding fans etc. of these; the textile has the largest potential. Measures to enhance trade through a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will also come under discussions during meetings with the Morocco authorities.
PR. No. 136. Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Nazar Mohammad Gondal has said that that the government is taking concrete step to promote the agriculture sector on modern lives and there would be no shortage of wheat and essential food items from next year in the country. He expressed these views while presiding of 29th meeting of Board of Governors of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), here today. Today, the country is facing serious food crisis and the government has set all eyes on the rapid development of agriculture sector, the minister observed. He said that budget 2008-2009 reflects these positions in the form of increased allocation for research and development, agriculture credits subsidies on fertilizers particularly DAP electricity, diesel, drip and sprinkler irrigation and exemption of taxes/duties on farm machinery. Mr. Nazar Gondal said that the government improve rural infrastructure, management of water resources, promote improved production technologies and subsidized farm machinery as well as improving farmer’s access to agricultural credit and improved extension services. He urged upon the agri-scientists to accelerate research and development activities with greater focus on food and water security improved production and profitability of small holders climate change mitigation strategies, prevention of trans-boundary as avian flue and wheat stem. Chairman PAEC, Dr. M.E. Tasneem briefed the meeting about the updated performance of the organization. He said that PARC is making concrete efforts for boosting the agri-production in the country. Secretary Minfal, Mohammad Zia ur Rehman and members of Board of Governors also attended the meeting. **EH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 137. The Ambassador of Iran, Mr. Mashallah Shakeri called on the Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mr. Rehmatullah Kakar and discussed with him matters pertaining to promoting bilateral ties in diversified fields including the housing and construction sectors. The Minister informed the Iranian Envoy that the government has chalked out a plan to construct one million houses annually for the poor, needy, shelter less and government employees. The PM’s “Houses for All” program across the country. He said that six pilot projects were being launched soon in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Multan and Larkana for which all the arrangements have been finalized. The Minister said Pakistani would welcome Iranian companies to participate in the upcoming mega housing projects who have diversified expertise in the vital field. The Minister said that Pak-Iran cooperation in housing sector would benefit the people of two brotherly countries to share their experiences. The Iranian Ambassador said that Iranian companies have excellent expertise in the housing and construction sectors and interaction in the housing sector would open new avenues of bilateral cooperation. Secretary, Housing & Works, Sami ul Haq Khilji and senior officials of the Ministry, MD PHA, DG FGEHF were also present during the meeting. **EH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 138. The Federal Minister for Health Ms Sherry Rehman has taken a strong note of the reports of the presence of a confirmed case of dengue fever in Islamabad. Expressing concern at the prospects of the outbreak of the disease in the Capital, the Federal Health Minister ordered immediate measures to combat the disease. “The government is determined to prevent the spread of disease this year. Unlike the past, we will not let it become a serious threat to the public health this time.” Ms Rehman said that controlling the outbreak of the disease is a challenging task since the global prevalence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades. “The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries of the World. The control of dengue depends on preventive measures more than curative measures. We are preparing strategy for both the curative and preventive sides to control the disease. The Ministry of Health is launching a media campaign to inform the public of the ways to prevent the epidemic. Ms Rehman informed that the Directorate of Malaria has already launched a host of preventive measures to combat the disease. “Apart from the supply of important resources to the infected persons to curb the chances of the further spread of the disease, the government is launching a residual spraying and fogging operation in the Capital today. A print media campaign aimed at raising awareness of the masses about the prevention measures including the reduction of breeding places in the residential areas, is also being launched.” The Federal Minister also called for community efforts to control the spread of the virus that is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes Aegypti. “Since the mosquito can survive and breed in domestic settings, each individual will have to play his/her role in preventing the outbreak of the disease. The vector mosquito can best be controlled through environmental management and chemical methods. Proper solid waste disposal and improved water storage practices, including covering containers to prevent access of mosquitoes, are very important. The government is ready to assist communities in implementing vector control measures. Only a joint effort by the government and the communities can ensure that the dengue does not turn into an epidemic claiming dozens of life, as it has in the past.” **DO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 139. NWFP health minister, Mr. Zahir Shah called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister house this morning. The Prime Minister said that provision of health facilities to all segments of the society is top priority of the government. Mr. Zahir Shah apprised the Prime Minister of various health projects in NWFP. **DO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 140. President Pervaiz Musharaff inaugurated the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2008 by planting a sapling at Aiwan-e-Sadr here today. 47.27 million Saplings will be planted through out the country during the Campaign. During the Monsoon Tree Planting Campaign 2008, 13 million saplings would be planted in Punjab, 10 million in Sindh, 9.5 million in NWFP, 7 million in FATA, 6 million in AJ&K and 0.5 million in Balochistan. The others departments including CDA will plant 1.27 million saplings during this campaign. Talking to mediamen the Federal Minister for Environment said that Mega Forestry Sector Resources Development Projects will be implemented in all four Provinces, AJK, Northern Areas and FATA at a cost of Rs.12.0 billion. The work on these projects would be initiated in the current fiscal year. The Minister said that realistic targets have been set for Tree Plantation and a comprehensive monitoring system has been evolved to ensure maximum survival of the plants. He said that the provision of the funds to the provinces would be based on the efficiency. He said that the provinces showing good performance for development of the forest would be provided more funds whereas, the funds of the provinces not achieving the targets will be shifted to the other provinces. The Federal Minister said that the provinces have been directed to launch comprehensive awareness campaign to boost the efforts for tree plantation and protect the forest. We have also directed the provinces allocate 10 % of nurseries for provision of plants to the schools and other educational institutions free of cost. He said that the provinces have been directed to furnish their progress reports to the Federal Government on regular basis. He said that third party monitoring evaluation system would be introduced to ensure the transparency in utilization of funds and to evaluate the progress on the forestry sector projects. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that satellite Mentoring System would be introduced from 2010 to check the progress of various tree plantation campaigns, forestry sector development projects and status of the present forest in the country. He said that the forest cover would be increased by 1% by 2015. He said that the development sector of forestry sector resources will not only increase the number of plants in the country but also help earn foreign exchange through carbon credits system. **RS/Ahmad*
PR. No. 141. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will be reconstituted to make it more competitive and energetic in order to promote the tourist activities to attract both domestic and foreign tourists in the country as Pakistan is a charming and beautiful country having great and rich culture and heritage with scenic sights and have great potential in this sector. This was decided in a first meeting of re- constituted Board of Directors, which was held in Rwalpindi on Thursday with Federal Minister for Water and Power and Tourism, Raja Pervez Ashraf in the chair. The Board meeting was convened to discuss ways and means for the development and improvement in the infrastructural facilities for the promotion of tourist activities in the country. The Board has constituted a 3-members technical committee comprising, Mr. Omer Khan Afridi, Former Federal Secretary, Chief Secretary, Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Javed Majeed and Mr. Iqbal Waljis, Travel Walji’s (Pvt) Ltd to formulate a comprehensive strategy for restructuring of the PTDC. The committee will make recommendations with novel and innovative ideas to make PTDC more viable and tourist friendly organization. The Board review progress of actionable points of last meeting and after detailed discussion approved the corporation accounts for the year ended 2007. The Board also decided construction of tourist village in Islamabad for which 25 acre of land have already been allotted to PTDC and directed PTDC to accelerate work on this project and submit detailed plan in the next board meeting. It was also decided that those motels, which are money-earning would not be privatized and Privatization Commission would be approached not to process these motels in the public interest. The Minister on this occasion in his address to the participants of the meeting said that with collective vision and knowledge, we can move forward to strengthen the tourist industry. He also stressed the need to educate the people to create an interaction among the people for the importance of tourism which would help strengthening of the Federation as well, he added. IPDF gave a detailed presentation on Public Private Partnership for development of Tourism industry. The Minister and Board appreciated the efforts made by the IPDF and asked it to further work on this project and submit comprehensive report in this respect in the next Board meeting. AJM/nr
PR. No. 142. NWFP Governor Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani and a nine member’s delegation of FATA MNAs led by Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, Federal Minister for Environment, called on the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House today. The delegation members reached on consensus regarding the three pronged policy of the government to 1. Enter into political dialogue with those who have laid down arms 2. Accelerate the pace of economic development in the country especially in tribal areas 3. Resort to military means only if the agreements are violated.
The Prime Minister said that force is no solution and all the issues will be resolved through consensus and the people of FATA will be taken on board on all issues in order to evolve common strategy to fight the menace of terrorism and extremism. The Prime Minister said that peace and stability will soon be restored in FATA. He said that the people of FATA are peace loving and they want peace and stability in their area. The Prime Minister said that being people’s Prime Minister, he believes in strengthening institutions. He said that the representatives of FATA will be specially included into various standing committees of the parliament in order to give more importance to their views. He said that the present government has ensured presence of all the Federal Ministers and the Prime Minister himself at the National Assembly during the Assembly session and this practice will continue. The Prime Minister announced Rs. one crore special extra grant for each FATA MNA to resolve the electricity problem. He asked the FATA MNAs to come up with projects and plans which are beneficial for the uplift of entire FATA. He said that more funds will be allocated for this purpose. The members of FATA MNAs delegation included,Malik Bilal Rehman, Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi, Mr. Khan Orakzai, Mr. Mohammad Kamran, Mr Shaukart Ullah, Mr, Noor ul Haq Qadri, , Mr. Zafar Beg Bhattani, and Mr. Jawad Hussain. Later a delegation from Hangu led by Senator Mr. Muhammad Hussain and Senator Mr. Saleh Shah called on the Prime Minster and discussed the security situation. The Prime Minister assured the delegation to resolve the issue.
PR. No. 143. Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hamidullah Jan Afridi attended the launching of Electric Motor Bicycle at ENERCON Building Islamabad, Managing Director ENERCON Mr. Faridullah Khan and other senior officers from the Ministry of Environment were also present on the occasion. The Electric Motor Bicycle runs on an electric motor of 600 watts powered by three rechargeable batteries of 16 paisas on commercial rates and 12 paisas on domestic rates of electricity. It performs satisfactorily in the planes and can carry two persons of up to total weight of 180 kg. The Minister for Environment appreciated the efforts to promote environment friendly zero noise and zero emission/pollution transport. At Rs. 20,000 if the FBR gives the duty waiver, this is the People Bike of Tomorrow, the best news in these energy crisis ridden times. DKK/nr
PR. No. 144. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan attaches importance to its relationship with Russia which is based on mutual respect and similarity of views on various regional and international issues. The Prime Minister said this while taking to Mr. Khalid Khattak, Pakistan’s Ambassador designate to Russian Republic at the PM’s House today. The Prime Minister said that there is great potential for collaboration in the energy and communication sectors and the Russian Companies can invest in these fields. The Prime Minister said that Mr. Khalid’s appointment as Ambassador to the Russian Federation will further enhance the existing relations between the two countries. Mr. Khalid said that he will utilize all his energies to strengthen relations between the two countries. DSG/wh
PR. No. 145. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) believes in ensuring justice for all in the country and is making all efforts in that direction, said Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. He was speaking at a ceremony to award shields to family members of Pakistan People’s Party workers who were killed in a bomb blast on July 17, 2007 at a camp set up to welcome deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry. Giving the “Benazir Sheheed Award” at the ceremony held at PPP Media Foundation at G-8 Markaz here, the Minister said the party was committed to restoration of all deposed judges. “PPP is the party of the people and it will spare no effort and work with dedication and vigour for their welfare,” he added. Referring to the inflation, he said the PPP-led government had already taken a number of steps to provide relief to the masses, including helping the needy through Benazir food cards to be issued to millions of families and tens of thousand of widows in August. However, it would take time to clear the mess created by the policies of the regime voted but by the people in the February elections, he said. Khursheed shah said the government was also taking steps to generate employment opportunities for the jobless youth. Soon after taking a charge of ministerial office, he ordered regularization of the services of Oversees Pakistan Foundation’s teachers and staff, he said. The PPP leader paid rich tribute to the party workers who died while struggling for the cause of democracy, rule of law and independent judiciary. The gathering at the ceremony offered Fateha for the souls of those killed in the bomb attack in the capital a year ago.
PR. No. 146. KCCI Delegation, comprising representatives from countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and led by its President Mr. Shamim Shamsi, held a meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister here this afternoon. The KCCI delegation apprised the Finance Minister of latest increase in gas and power tariff of textile units and export related issues of the industry. It emphasized that recent 31 percent increase in gas tariff and increase in power bills has compounded the economic problems of textile industry all over the country. KCCI delegates informed the Finance Minister about commercial and designing stages of textile manufacturing units that uses gas and electricity as raw input to their value-added production that finally is meant to meet domestic needs and also takes on our export requirements in foreign markets. The textile sector now has assumed the status of an engine of employment and revenue generation that needs to be given GOP’s serious policy consideration for support and relief. The input cost of textile sector production units needs to be scaled down, they stressed. The small textile units merit GOP’s special power tariff related support and relief because of their business size. The matters relating to escalating cost of doing textile business and loss of competitive export market for Pakistani textile goods, citing comparison from India , China and Bangladesh , were also discussed. The Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation that GOP shall review the latest power and gas related tariff applicable to textile industry’s captive power plants. The Finance Minister recalled that all previous discussions with countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been fruitful, and GOP is fully cognizant of textile industry’s power tariff related problems. What KCCI and other Chambers may appreciate is available fiscal space problems within the existing budgetary resources plus rising fuel prices in international market that need to be taken into account, Finance Minister stressed. Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation that whatever GOP is able to squeeze in terms of providing relief to textile industry manufacturers, in consideration of existing budgetary constraints, shall be passed on to the industry. GOP shall encourage investment climate for nationwide textile industry. Finance Minister further added that going by GOP’s lego-contractual obligations with gas producing companies, the government shall do its best to reconsider change/revision in gas tariff to provide relief to the textile industry. GOP shall update textile industry representatives about progress on gas tariff within a week plus time. A review meeting over the subject is likely to be planned end of next week, Finance Minister and KCCI delegates agreed. Finance Minister further assured KCCI delegation that GOP shall workout best possible formula with regard to providing R&D support to textile industry which possibly would be based on textile industry’s efficient technical input, enabling the government to announce a final decision on the size of R&D support. The Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation GOP’s all out support to resolve gas and power tariff related problems hampering textile industry’s growth and production. The Finance Minister assured the delegation to constitute a special committee in FBR, incorporating Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives to consider taxation-related structure which could be mutually acceptable to all stakeholders and could help support textile industry. NJ/wh
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