Latest news with #Rs2.15
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt under fire for salary hike for top parliamentarians while minimum wage remains static
The federal government's decision to significantly raise the salaries and financial perks of top parliamentary officeholders has drawn criticism, even from within its ranks. Defence Minister and senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif called the move a 'financial obscenity' on the social media platform X on Wednesday. 'The huge increase in the salaries and financial incentives for the speaker, deputy speaker, chairman Senate, and deputy chairman Senate falls under the category of financial obscenity. 'Keep in mind the life of the common man, all our honour and dignity are due to him,' said Asif. Meanwhile, during the post-budget press conference on Wednesday, Finance Minister Muhammad Auranzgeb defended the sharp increase in the monthly salary of lawmakers. 'If we talk about raising salaries of government employees, then ministers' salaries should also be reviewed.' He pointed out that the salaries of the Senate chairman, deputy chairman, National Assembly speaker, and deputy speaker were recently increased. When questioned about whether their salaries had been raised from Rs250,000 to Rs2.15 million per month, the minister remarked that the focus should be on when ministers, ministers of state, and parliamentarians last received a salary adjustment. 'The cabinet ministers' salaries were last increased in 2016. If a salary raise had been made annually, the recent hike would not seem so high,' he explained. The government in its budget presentation also announced a 10% increase in salaries for federal government employees (Grade-1 to Grade-22) and a 7% increase in pensions for retired government servants. However, it decided to keep the minimum wage unchanged in the budget for the financial year 2025-26, saying it would remain at Rs37,000 per month. The decision to keep the minimum wage unchanged comes despite calls from some public and political quarters.
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
All the taxes and tariffs you pay on cellular services
Listen to article The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released a comprehensive breakdown of current mobile service tariffs in the country, including charges for voice calls, data, and SMS. The disclosure comes amid growing public concern over high usage costs and taxes. According to PTA, the basic 'Pay As You Go' (PayG) tariffs—applicable when users are not subscribed to any packages—range between Rs3.2 and Rs3.6 per minute for voice calls. Data usage is billed at Rs3.3 to Rs5 per megabyte, while SMS costs between Rs2.15 and Rs2.5 per message. However, mobile users face a significant tax burden. A Rs100 card recharge effectively credits only Rs86.96 due to a 15% Withholding Tax (WHT). In addition, a 19.5% General Sales Tax (GST) is applied to each individual usage—calls, data sessions, and messages—amounting to an estimated Rs14.19. The combined tax load on a single top-up reaches Rs27.23. PTA clarified that GST is also applicable to all bundles, offers, and subscription-based services. The tax policy applies equally to both prepaid and postpaid customers, covering nearly all segments of mobile users. From a regulatory standpoint, PTA requires operators with Significant Market Power (SMP)—currently Jazz—to obtain prior approval before raising tariffs or launching new packages. These operators must submit detailed proposals, including justifications, consumer impact assessments, and industry comparisons. In contrast, non-SMP operators like Ufone, Telenor, and Zong have the autonomy to set tariffs independently, though all providers are mandated to inform customers at least seven days before implementing any price changes. While PTA did not disclose the date of the most recent tariff revision, the regulator affirmed that any proposed changes by SMPs undergo a strict evaluation process, considering operational costs, inflationary pressures, and broader market trends.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Peshawar launches cochlear implant programme for hearing-impaired children
Listen to article A formal cochlear implant programme has been launched at the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar to support children born with hearing impairments, according to Express News. The initiative has been introduced by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government in collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal. The HMC's ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) team has already conducted nine successful cochlear implant surgeries as part of the pilot phase. The procedures, which cater to children aged between six months and five years, are now being offered under the government's flagship Sehat Card (Health Card) programme, significantly easing the financial burden on families. Each cochlear implant surgery costs approximately Rs2.15 million. This expense will now be covered through a combination of support from Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Sehat Card initiative. In a recent milestone, the ENT team, under the supervision of senior healthcare specialists, organised a two-day cochlear implant marathon at HMC, during which nine surgeries were successfully performed. The hospital administration praised the collective efforts and dedication of the HMC ENT team, crediting their perseverance as a key driver behind the successful implementation of the programme.
