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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NAB questions Swati in Upper Kohistan scandal
The National Accountability Bureau Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (NAB KP) has initiated an inquiry into Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in connection with the Upper Kohistan mega scandal. According to sources, Azam Swati appeared before the relevant NAB investigation committee on Friday. NAB officials revealed that a significant amount of money was transferred to Swati's bank account by a private firm allegedly linked to the scandal. The investigation team questioned him for over an hour regarding the suspicious transaction. Swati was also handed a questionnaire by NAB and asked to submit written responses. It is pertinent to mention that over Rs40 billion were withdrawn from the national treasury under the pretext of development projects in Upper Kohistan district. However, no physical evidence of these projects exists on the ground. The scope of the investigation has been expanded, with several officials from the Communications and Works Department, the District Accounts Office, and the National Bank of Kohistan, along with multiple politicians, now under scrutiny. On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) barred NAB from arresting Azam Swati in connection with the Kohistan mega corruption scandal. However, the court directed him to cooperate and join the ongoing investigation. The ruling came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Swati, which was taken up by a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal. It may be recalled that on June 23, Swati failed to appear before NAB in connection with the corruption scandal, despite being served a notice. Instead, his legal counsel appeared on his behalf. Later, he moved the PHC against the notice. According to NAB sources, on June 23, Swati's lawyer was instructed that the senator must appear in person. The lawyer requested a week's extension, but NAB refused the request and instructed Swati to appear without delay. A second notice will soon be issued, NAB confirmed. The initial notice required Azam Swati to appear on Monday as part of an inquiry into suspicious financial transactions linked to the Kohistan corruption case. NAB alleges that Rs300 million were transferred into Azam Swati's personal bank account, raising serious concerns about financial irregularities. NAB is investigating the Kohistan scandal following revelations of widespread corruption amounting to Rs40 billion. The bureau has directed Swati to submit the financial records of Kohistan Associates and Builders, including detailed bank account information. Billions of rupees were reportedly deposited into the company's accounts during the year 2024. The scandal came to light earlier this year, prompting the provincial government to formally request a NAB investigation. Subsequently, a cabinet-level inquiry committee, headed by the Chief Minister, was also formed to oversee the case. In May, the K-P government launched an investigation into the mega corruption scandal in Kohistan district. The scandal came under intense scrutiny during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Speaker of the K-P Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati. Officials from the Finance Department and the Accountant General's office admitted during the session that billions had been misappropriated from government funds.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nagaland minister visits Zunheboto district, announces health-related projects
Kohima: Nagaland Minister P Paiwang Konyak has inspected Zunheboto district hospital to oversee its expansion work and announced several projects, including a public health centre and an integrated laboratory, an official said on Thursday. During his visit on Wednesday, the state health minister held a meeting with tribal leaders and civil society members as part of 'the Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat' tour, which commenced on June 24 The projects include the completion of the ongoing construction at the district hospital premises, building staff quarters, an urban public health centre, an integrated public health laboratory, the CMO building, a nursing school, a 30-bed Ayush hospital, and new PHC buildings at Pughoboto and Satoi. The minister emphasised that the construction at the district hospital must be completed by December 2025, with no further extension to be allowed to prevent cost overruns. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Nagaland to align with Viksit Bharat by 2047, Konyak stressed the need for improved healthcare facilities in Zunheboto . He expressed confidence that manpower shortages will be addressed through upcoming recruitment and the return of MBBS graduates under surety bonds. The minister also urged officials to ensure strict fund management, awareness and registration under CMHIS and Ayushman Bharat schemes , adherence to OPD timings, closure of unlicensed pharmacies, and active participation in TB elimination campaigns. Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies and MLA KT Sukhalu praised the minister's grassroots approach and assured full support for the projects. He also pledged funds for renovating the eye OPD room and called on medical staff to demonstrate sincerity and dedication. Representatives from Sumi Hoho, the apex tribal body of the district, and village organisations welcomed the minister's initiatives, acknowledging the urgent need for the hospital.
Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Docs verification for PHC and CAP quota students held
Nirmal: The document verification process for Physical Handicapped (PHC) and Children of Armed Personnel (CAP) quota students was successfully held on Thursday at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), Basar. The event was personally supervised by the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Govardhan. He stated that the verification process was conducted transparently and in accordance with all regulations. Students under the PHC quota with conditions such as Hearing Impairment, Mental Retardation, Multiple Disorders, Orthopaedic Disabilities, and Visual Impairment participated in the event. Their medical verification was carried out by a team of government doctors from Nirmal district. Verification of documents for children of armed forces personnel (under the CAP quota) was carried out impartially under the supervision of officials from the respective armed departments. All documents were reviewed and authenticated. The provisional selection list of verified students will be published on the official university website. It is scheduled to be released on July 4. The first phase of counseling is set to begin on July 7, according to officials. The event was successfully coordinatedby OSD Prof. Muralidharshan, Convener Dr Chandrasekhar, Co-conveners Dr Devaraju, Dr Vittal, Rakesh Reddy, Harikrishna Mantapuri, Badrinarayana, Mohan Babu, and other staff and officials.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Minister announces incentives to ASHA workers
Kondapi: Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy announced that the government, with the support from the donors, would provide Rs 1,000 as incentive to the ASHA workers boosting hospital deliveries. Speaking after the inauguration of an X-Ray unit at the Government Primary Health Centre (PHC) here on Wednesday, the minister outlined several initiatives aimed at increasing institutional deliveries in government hospitals. He said that the new measures are to improve healthcare delivery for the poor, emphasising the coalition government's commitment to providing quality medical services to underprivileged communities. He explained that ASHA workers will receive their regular salary of Rs 10,000 along with an additional incentive of Rs 1,000 per delivery, funded through donor contributions. He praised the competitive spirit shown by MLAs and TDP in-charges in Prakasam district in promoting hospital deliveries. Minister Swamy announced that Rs 50 lakh in government funds would be allocated for remodelling buildings at the PHC, along with cement road construction around the hospital premises. The minister commended donors who provided incentives to ASHA workers and acknowledged the efforts of doctors and ANMs who have been instrumental in promoting these healthcare initiatives. He called upon both the government and donors to continue their collaborative efforts in supporting public health services.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
SC determines right meaning of FMCG products
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court held that Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products do not qualify to form part of the definition provided in clause (22A) read with Clause (13AB) of Section 2 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The judgment, authored by Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, said that the FMCG are those which are supplied in retail market as per 'their' daily demand. 'These are not directly considered as consumer items, but form a key component for many consumer products. It is meant primarily for an industrial/ commercial use,' it added. These goods in their form, as described in the orders of Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue, Peshawar, and the Peshawar High Court (PHC), are not utilisable predominantly by the end consumers. High-potential consumer items: Pakistan govt mulling imposing FED The respondent, an individual taxpayer (M/s Sufi Tahir Nadeem), derived income from distribution (per orders) of (i) Bopp Composite/ Plain Film, (ii) Pet Film, (iii) CPP Metalized Film, and (iv) CPP Milky Film. He filed returns for the tax years 2015 to 2017. On examination by the department, that the tax liability on the respondent-taxpayer on the basis of turnover declared by him, was not proper, the return for the tax year 2015 was selected for audit under Section 177 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and the deemed assessment was accordingly amended under Section 122(1) of the Ordinance by the officer Inland Revenue creating tax liability under Section 113 of the Ordinance on the basis of declared turnover. The declared position for the tax years 2016 and 2017 was the same; consequently, the Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue invoked Section 122(5A) of the Ordinance and created tax liability under section 113 of the Ordinance on the basis of turnover declared by the respondent-taxpayer. Aggrieved of it, the respondent-taxpayer filed appeal against the amended order and took the plea before the appellate authority that he was dealing in distribution of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), which were subjected to tax rate of 0.2 per cent (minimum tax) as per Division IX, Part-IV of First Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, instead of 1 per cent (minimum tax) rate applied by the Assessing Officer. The Commissioner Inland Revenue rejected the stance of the taxpayer, who then approached the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue, Peshawar. The Tribunal annulled the order of the authority as a consequence the Commissioner Inland Revenue (petitioner) filed Tax References before the PHC, which were dismissed and the questions of law were answered in negative against the department and in favour of the taxpayer. The department then filed an appeal before the apex court. The question before the Court was whether subject goods could be considered as 'consumer goods' for end consumers and stand-alone constitutes consumer goods within the frame of Clause 22A read with (13AB) of Section 2 of the Ordinance. Section 2(22A) describes the 'fast moving consumer goods' which means the consumer goods which are supplied in 'retail market as per daily demand of a consumer' (excluding durable goods). The bracketed insertion was provided to the Statute via Finance Act, 2017. The judgment noted that the consumer goods are those as defined in (13AB) of section 2 of the Ordinance; i.e., 'consumer goods means goods that are consumed by the end consumer rather than used in the production of another good.' Justice Shafi Siddiqui wrote that it was imperative for the Tribunal and the High Court to have adjudged whether the goods by law were FMCG and are meant for 'direct consumption' by the end consumer rather than used in the production of another good(s) in its finished form; as only then this could have been applied for any benefit to the taxpayer. These products (Bopp Composite/Plain Film, Pet Film, CPP Metalized Film and CPP Milky Film) are primarily used as a material for packing other products for various consumer goods and are not typically sold directly to consumers as a stand-alone product. The consumer may buy products packed in such films but would not typically purchase the goods. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
