Latest news with #Nadra
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Brutal 'honour killing' caught on video sparks nationwide outrage
Listen to article A horrifying video emerged on social media on Sunday, depicting the brutal killing of a man and a woman in Balochistan, in the name of so-called honour, sending shockwaves across the country and beyond. As the video spread like wildfire, the public recoiled in disbelief. The graphic images sparked immediate outrage, igniting a firestorm of condemnation from civil society, religious scholars, and political leaders alike. The victims, whose identities were not immediately known, were allegedly targeted by their own family or community members — a grim reminder of the archaic and deadly tradition of honour killings that continues to plague parts of Pakistan. The video purportedly showed that a few armed men were apparently shooting and killing a man and a woman publically. In this video, all the people were speaking in the Brahui language and their accent was the same as that spoken in different areas of Quetta and Mastung, according to BBC. The video is apparently made in a mountainous area where there is a desert around a dirt road. In the beginning, several vehicles and Jeeps can be seen in broad daylight, outside of which there are several people. Apparently, these men ask a woman dressed in a red dress and a wheatish chador to stand some distance from the vehicles. During this, the woman could be heard in Brahui that "only shooting is allowed, nothing else". The woman did not resist, rather stood quietly away from the vehicles. After this conversation, a few shots were also fired one by one. According to BBC, it was not clear in the video whether the man or the woman was shot first, however, after the first round of shots, a voice is heard saying "kill Him," which is followed by the sound of multiple shots. Talking to the media at the Karachi Press Club, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that the incident took place in Balochistan, but did not say when and where in the province. He revealed that one accused had been arrested. "The names of the deceased have been obtained, and the tribes they belonged to, but these cannot be disclosed at this time," he said. Their bodies had not yet been recovered, he continued, saying further that their relatives had not filed any police case. "The pictures of those seen in the video were given to Nadra [National Database and Registration Authority] and with their help one of the accused is arrested. Raids are being conducted to arrest the other accused," Rind said. "Initially, this incident seemed to be taking place on Eidul Azha [which was celebrated in June] but we cannot confirm it yet. Both the families of the murdered persons have not filed any police report, therefore, now a case has been registered on the government's complaint," Rind said. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the incident, ordering a thorough investigation and a detailed report on the matter. He ordered law-enforcement agencies to arrest all perpetrators without delay. "The rule of law will not be compromised. Those who challenge the writ of the state will be dealt with firmly. No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," Bugti said in a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Rind assured the public that the provincial government would take all legal steps to ensure justice is served. "The Balochistan government will not remain a silent spectator in the face of such cruelty. All legal means will be used to bring those responsible to justice," Rind said. Meanwhile, the provincial government has also appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects. Citizens are being urged to share any information that may help in locating the individuals involved.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt decides to abolish tax exemptions for SEZs, STZs
At high tax rates, profit margins for sellers decrease, leaving them with options to pass on the burden to consumers, compromise on the quality of products, evade taxes or find cheaper illicit goods. photo: file The Senate Standing Committee on Finance was informed on Thursday that the federal government has decided to abolish tax exemptions for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Special Technology Zones (STZs) in line with the IMF conditions. During a meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on Thursday, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed the committee that under the IMF agreement, all tax exemptions must be phased out by 2035. He stated that going forward, no SEZ or STZ will receive any form of tax relief. "Our hands are tied," Langrial remarked, adding that tax concessions and reduced rates across various sectors are being withdrawn. The committee rejected budget proposals for the next fiscal year, including imposing a carbon levy of Rs2.50 per litre on petroleum products, removing the 10 per cent cap on the debt service surcharge for electricity consumers and introducing a levy on small vehicles. The senators termed these measures as burdensome for the public. Regarding autonomous public-sector entities, Senator Anusha Rahman raised concerns about institutions holding vast investments despite minimal staffing. She cited the example of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which she said is managed by only 12 people but has Rs13 billion invested. She questioned why such institutions are allowed to retain and invest their revenues and called for reforms or exemptions in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) if needed. The officials replied that bodies such as Nadra, CDA, and Karachi Port Trust are allowed to invest their funds and earn profits, and they pay taxes on these earnings. However, the committee chairman said none of these institutions had actually paid taxes recently. The officials briefed the committee that Nadra had paid a tax amounting to Rs8 billion during the last two years. The FBR chief proposed amendments to the PFMA, but the committee opposed them, insisting that revenue from all government-owned bodies must be deposited into the Federal Consolidated Fund. The Ministry of Finance stated that the proposed amendment would allow autonomous bodies to retain and spend their income independently, but Anusha Rahman strongly opposed it, demanding that such entities remain accountable to the national treasury and sought balance sheets of such institutions. The committee also reviewed proposed changes to property taxation. According to FBR officials, the withholding tax on property sales valued at Rs100 million has been increased from 8 per cent to 9.5 per cent, while properties worth less than Rs100 million will be taxed at 8.5 per cent. For properties valued below Rs50 million, the rate will be 7.5 per cent. Additionally, the Finance Bill 2025 includes stricter measures against non-filers. While the property purchase tax for non-filers has been reduced, the burden has shifted to sellers. The committee approved a proposal to impose a 5 per cent tax on foreign online platforms.
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Alleged involvement in corruption: FIA registers case against former Nadra chairman, others
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against former chairman National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Muhammad Tariq Malik and others for their alleged involvement in corruption and corrupt practices. According to the first information report (FIR) registered by the agency's Anti-Corruption Wing (ACW) an enquiry was initiated on complaint of Malik Muhammad Afzal, joint secretary Ministry of Interior against Nadra officials that Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) submitted a complaint on allegations of violation of PPRA Rules 2004 in award of contract of 30 million Smart Cards worth $29.7 million on single bid basis against the market price of $0.2970 in China ( three cent per card) at a loss of at least 25 million to national exchequer for procurement of tender no: 13/2022. Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has also conducted a detailed inquiry and submitted report to Ministry of Interior in this regard, it says. It says that during enquiry it is found that as per PPRA enquiry, criteria/technical specifications and experience clauses were allegedly enhanced to facilitate a specific company M/s SELP. In this procurement, the price increased by 31 cents per smart card as compared to previous procurement of year 2020, it says, adding that as price was continuously decreasing from year 2013 to year 2020 due to factors like time and technology advancement. According to allegations in TIP loss to national exchequer is $25 million USD, however, in the light of comparison between purchase orders of year 2013 to 2022 loss to national exchequer is approximately 31 cent per smart card for purchase order of 30 million smart cards during procurement of tender 13/2022. This exorbitant increase in price of smart card was only to get kick-backs and commission from vendors which has resulted in loss of millions of US dollars to national exchequer. Based on the sufficient oral and documentary incriminating evidence collected, it is crystal clear that accused persons in connivance with each- other are found involved in corruption and corrupt practices as well as criminal misconduct and criminal breach of trust as they have misappropriated Nadra funds; and they have also obtained illegal pecuniary benefits/gains by corrupt and illegal means and therefore, have committed offences u/s 409/109/420/468/471/34 PPC r/w section 5(2) 1947 PCA. The other accused include Gohar Ahmad Khan, Sameer Enver Baig, Kamran Latif Ex-Director Production Nadra Headquarters, Jumana Noor, Muhammad Usman, Khurram Shahzad Ex-Director Technology and Development, Sanaullah Domki Assistant Director (HOD) Nadra, Rashid Javaid Chief Financial Officer Nadra Headquarters, Usman Cheema, Naveed Akhtar Channa Ex-HOD Procurement Department Nadra Headquarters. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Pakistan blocks internet sensation Arshad chaiwala's ID card, passport
Pakistani internet sensation Arshad Khan's identity card and passport have been blocked by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and passport authorities for not providing evidence of citizenship. Arshad rose to fame after a photo of him selling tea at a market in Islamabad at the age of 17 went viral. He came to be known as 'chaiwala' (tea seller) with people drooling over his looks, especially his blue eye pupil colour. Following his overnight popularity, the young boy was interviewed by top media as well as offered modelling gigs. Many netizens in Pakistan praised his physical beauty and expressed their support for him. As a result, Arshad achieved international fame. Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to the federal government and others after Arshad challenged the blocking of his documents. Arshad Khan, who hails from Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, rose to fame back in 2016 when a photographer shared a photo of him pouring tea on Instagram, which went viral. Represented by Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, the petitioner approached the court under Article 199 of the Constitution, claiming that the blocking of his identity documents by the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports was both unlawful and unconstitutional. Gilani argued before the court that Arshad Khan symbolised the quintessential Pakistani dream — rising from a humble beginning to international fame after a candid photograph of him selling tea in Islamabad went viral. Despite his global recognition, the actions of Nadra and other authorities have jeopardised his future career and tarnished his reputation. He said that the demand by Nadra for pre-1978 proof of residency was based on mala fide intent and lacked legal justification, especially when Arshad Khan's family had a documented citizenship history. Citing the Constitution, the lawyer emphasised the violation of Khan's rights to livelihood, dignity, and lawful treatment. The court was also informed of precedents from the Sindh High Court (SHC), Islamabad High Court (IHC), and previous judgements of the LHC, where the blocking of CNICs and passports without due process was declared illegal. In response, the assistant attorney general and Nadra's law officer questioned the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the petitioner failed to submit sufficient documentation proving Pakistani nationality. Justice Hassan issued notices to the respondents for April 17 seeking para-wise comments and instructing senior officials from Nadra and the Directorate of Immigration and Passports to appear with relevant records to justify their actions. He also restrained the authorities from taking any adverse action against the petitioner as well.
