Latest news with #FederallyAdministeredTribalAreas
Express Tribune
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI fumes over 'unjust' taxes on ex-FATA
The PTI on Thursday denounced what it called an "unjust" taxation system imposed on the long-neglected former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) without fulfilling the promises of peace, development and complete integration. In a news conference at the Parliament House, PTI leaders warned that the region could not be treated as a revenue source while its people were denied basic services, security and constitutional rights. The senior PTI figures also demanded an immediate release of party founder Imran Khan, linking the alleged suppression of judicial independence to his continued detention. They urged the judiciary to assert its autonomy and called for an end to political victimization. During the news conference, former speaker of the National Assembly and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser raised critical concerns regarding judicial independence and the "unjust taxation imposed" on FATA. Expressing deep concern over the state of the judiciary, a party statement said, the former NA speaker stated that the judiciary was under undue influence, "demanding the immediate release of judges and their freedom to perform their duties without interference." Qaiser claimed that Imran Khan was being "unlawfully detained" and called for his legal rights to be upheld. "The judiciary must stand firm for its own authority," he said while strongly condemning any alleged interference in judicial matters. Turning to taxation in FATA issue, Qaiser criticized the government for imposing taxes without justification. "Until peace is restored and a level-playing field is established, no taxes should be imposed," he asserted, adding that the people of FATA would willingly pay taxes if the government ensured stability. He also highlighted "the unfulfilled promise of Rs1,000 billion for FATA's development," vowing that PTI would continue to resist this injustice alongside the people of the region. Junaid Akbar, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President, also condemned the government's neglect of FATA, recalling that Rs100 billion was supposed to be allocated annually for development after the merger. "Instead, the people face extortion and unjust taxes while the wealthy have left the region," he said, calling the taxation policy cruel and unacceptable. PTI leader Atif Khan pointed out the direct impact of FATA's instability on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the government was unfairly targeting FATA for revenue collection while failing to curb smuggling. He also criticized the exorbitant electricity bills and the new taxes on solar energy, saying the government had completely mismanaged the energy crisis. MNA Iqbal Khan Afridi highlighted the severe economic struggles of FATA's residents, claiming that petrol was being sold at Rs350 per liter while people struggle to afford basic necessities. He urged the government to engage in dialogue and consider a referendum to address the region's grievances, proposing fair revenue mechanisms instead of blanket taxation on the impoverished population. The PTI leaders reaffirmed their commitment to justice, judicial independence and the rights of FATA's people, demanding Khan's release, the suspension of unjust taxes, fulfillment of development promises and relief for citizens burdened by rising costs.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Key economic sectors: LCCI disappointed over lack of broader relief
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) acknowledged some positive measures in the federal budget 2025-26 but expressed disappointment over the lack of broader relief for key economic sectors. Following Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb's budget speech, LCCI leaders addressed a press conference, stating that while some of their demands were met, the business community had expected more substantial measures to stimulate investment, industrial growth, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and agriculture. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, along with Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, and former office-bearers including Mian Anjum Nisar, Muhammad Ali Mian, Ali Hussam Asghar, and Faheem ur Rehman Sahgal, shared their insights on the budget. A significant number of executive committee members and market association presidents also attended the conference. Mian Abuzar Shad noted that the increased defense budget was a necessary step but argued that further increments should have been made. He welcomed relief measures for the construction sector and appreciated the higher allocation for water projects, though he stressed that even greater funding was needed given current challenges. Shad highlighted that the LCCI's long-standing demand for simplified tax returns had been accepted. While the super tax was reduced, he described the cut as insignificant and called for a more substantial reduction. He praised the imposition of taxes on the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), a measure the LCCI had long advocated for. He pointed out that 45 government entities are being merged or abolished but emphasized the need to divest all loss-making public sector enterprises. Other positive steps included tax reductions in the real estate sector, lower duties on property transactions, the establishment of Daanish University, and measures to curb sales tax evasion. Bringing e-commerce into the tax net was also commended as a good decision. However, Shad expressed concern over under-invoicing and Afghan trade, which he claimed had cost Pakistan Rs. 25 trillion over the past 15 years. He also criticized unchecked petroleum imports for negatively impacting foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, he voiced disappointment over the absence of specific measures to support SMEs. Engineer Khalid Usman criticized the budget for lacking a clear growth strategy. He stated that the minor tax relief for salaried individuals was insufficient and called for further reductions. He also argued that taxing petroleum products would discourage the documented economy. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank wing rates $212.379m Fata TDPs project as ‘highly relevant'
ISLAMABAD: The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank has rated 'Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) Emergency Recovery Project' of worth $212.379 million as highly relevant and satisfactory, as the project exceeded almost all the output targets. The Group in its 'Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review' stated that the original project was financed by a $75 million credit, followed by additional financings of $114 million, $15 million, and $12 million (the latter two through Bank-administered Multi-Donor Trust Funds), bringing total planned financing to $216 million. $210.1 million was actually disbursed, with the difference due to exchange rate fluctuations. The original Project Development Objective (PDO) was to 'support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and strengthen emergency response safety net delivery systems in the affected areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).' Revision to the PDO was done in two stages via restructurings administered through additional financings. World Bank rates $118m KP project as 'moderately satisfactory' In 2019, in order to expand the project into the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and to increase the type of services delivered, the PDO was slightly revised to becomes as follows: 'to support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and enhance citizen-centered service delivery in the tribal districts of KP province'. In 2021, the PDO was again modified: 'to support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and enhance citizen-centered service delivery in the selected districts of KP.' The project's overall rating is satisfactory, which is consistent with minor shortcomings in project design and implementation. The project was highly relevant and aligned to both government and Bank priorities. There was substantial project efficiency. Efficacy of objectives was rated substantial. The project succeeded in reaching a large number of households and provided them with unconditional and conditional cash transfers. Equally, it managed to fully vaccinate a high number of children, the majority of whom were girls. It also expanded service delivery in terms of both geographical coverage and the types of services offered. However, given the lack of information regarding the number of TDPs that retuned to FATA, it is not possible to determine the extent to which the project was able to incentivize the return of TDPs. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence regarding the extent to which the grants were able to smooth consumption given that over time they were not increased to reflect the higher cost of living. The project was highly relevant, as it addressed the development challenges faced by the government of Pakistan, namely: (1) high number of TDPs, (2) inadequate child health outcomes, and (3) lack of social services in the targeted areas. The project was aligned with the government's strategies and sectoral policies. Specifically, it was in line with the government's National Social Protection Strategy, including preventing households and individuals from falling into poverty due to shocks. Furthermore, the project contributed to the Fata Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy, which identified social protection as one of the top priority sectoral interventions, with cash transfers as an important tool for the emergency response and recovery. Initially, 306,471 displaced families (list provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were made part of the Livelihood Support Grant (LSG) caseload. An additional 144,591 families - constituting 32 per cent of the final caseload - were added based on the grievances that were lodged after the project was launched. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
US advises its citizens in Pak to leave active conflict zones
Islamabad: The US mission in Pakistan issued a security alert to American citizens on Wednesday, advising them to depart from areas of active conflict zones. This came hours after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine high-value terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians. "We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments. US citizens are reminded of the 'Do Not Travel' advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the US Department of State's 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Pakistan generally," the diplomatic mission said in a statement. The US Department of State had issued a travel advisory in March, also urging its citizens to "reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict." "Do Not Travel to: Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism. The immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict," the advisory stated. India stressed that Operation Sindoor was a calibrated military action, not an act of escalation. "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution," the government said. Foreign Secretary Misri underlined that India's objective was to dismantle terror infrastructure without endangering civilians or provoking wider conflict. "Operation Sindoor was a proportionate and responsible response to Pakistan's ongoing support for terrorism," he said. He added that in the days since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had only issued denials and accusations instead of acting against the perpetrators.
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Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Do not travel to Pakistan: US government issues advisory to its citizens
Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the US Department of State on Wednesday advised the US citizens to not travel to Pakistan. This advisory came after India launched strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan on Wednesday. The US Department of State said, 'We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments.' The warning reminds US citizens that there is already a 'Do Not Travel' alert for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control because of terrorism and possible armed conflict. It also points to a broader 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for all of Pakistan. They issued this advisory to US travellers currently in the region: 'We advise US citizens to depart areas of active conflict if they can safely do so or to shelter in place. The US Embassy will send updates as needed through our message system.' Actions for US citizens to take: Exercise caution and leave the area if you find yourself unexpectedly in the vicinity of military activities. Shelter in place if you cannot relocate. Review your personal security plan. Monitor local media for updates. Keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings. Carry identification and cooperate with authorities. US travel advisory for Pak, dated March 7 This isn't the first warning. In March, the US had already asked its citizens to stay away from Pakistan due to terror threats. At that time, it had said, 'Do not travel to Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism. The immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.' India retaliates with 'Operation Sindoor' On Wednesday morning, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine sites used by terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The action came after the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians, including a citizen of Nepal, were killed. The Indian Defence Ministry said, 'Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.' 'India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and methods of execution,' it added. The Indian government said it acted to keep its promise of holding those responsible for the massacre accountable, 'These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.'
