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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab cement makers given relief by SC
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court granted relief to the Punjab-based cement manufacturers by halting enforcement of the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict that directed them to pay royalties on limestone at six percent of the ex-factory price of cement. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan on Wednesday heard case regarding change in rate of royalty of Limestone and Argillaceous Clay for mineral title holders having mining lease under Large Scale Mining for the purpose of cement manufacturing. The bench directed the Punjab government to file a comprehensive reply within two weeks. The LHC upheld the Punjab government's revised royalty structure on limestone. The royalty is kept at 6.0 per cent of the ex-factory sale price of cement, replacing the earlier fixed rate of Rs250/ton on mineral in financial year 2024 for the Punjab-based manufacturers. Punjab-based manufacturers, including Bestway Cement Ltd (BWCL), Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd (MLCF), Fauji Cement Company Ltd (FCCL), Pioneer Cement Ltd (PIOC), and DG Khan Cement Company Ltd (DGKC) had contested this change in court. Khalid Jawed Khan, representing the cement factories, contended that the Punjab government unilaterally increased the royalty enormously, which will enhance the cement price in the Punjab, adding if cement sale from is halted then it would damage the industry. Industry analysts estimate that the six per cent royalty—based on net-of-tax 'retention prices'—translates to Rs1,350–1,400 per tonne, nearly Rs1,000 higher than the fixed-rate royalty of Rs350 per tonne recently adopted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The issue has broader implications for the 79-million-tonne cement industry, which is already divided into northern and southern blocs with different cost dynamics. With Punjab's policy now legally endorsed by the LHC, analysts fear a breakdown of price coordination between provinces—historically a key feature of the industry's informal price stability. This disparity has effectively handed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based producers a structural cost advantage in Punjab's cement market, enabling them to undercut local players by Rs25–30 per bag in competitive urban centres such as Lahore and Rawalpindi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PSB disburses Rs8.2m in cash awards to athletes, Rs63.9m in grants to sports federations
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Wednesday distributed Rs8.2 million in cash awards to 36 national athletes and disbursed Rs63.9 million in grants to 22 sports federations, in a major move to promote sports development across the country. The ceremony was held in Islamabad to honour national athletes who have earned international recognition through their recent performances. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah Khan, was the chief guest at the event, accompanied by Federal Secretary Mohiuddin Wani and PSB Director General Muhammad Yasir Pirzada. PSB takes action against unauthorised bodybuilding federation Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem received the highest individual award of Rs2 million for winning a gold medal, while his coach Salman Iqbal Butt was awarded Rs600,000. In snooker, Ahsan Ramzan and Muhammad Asif were awarded Rs500,000 each for their bronze and gold medal achievements, respectively. Muhammad Naseem Akhtar received Rs100,000 for securing a bronze. In table tennis, Abdal Muhammad Khan earned Rs250,000 for a silver medal in the U-15 singles, while he and Zunaira Khan received Rs187,500 each for a silver medal in mixed doubles. Team event players Abdal, Noor Khan, Taha Bilal, Abu Huraira, Attaul Manan, and Moosa Asif received Rs75,000 each. Special Olympics athletes were also recognised for their performance at the World Winter Games. PSB welcomes FIFA school football program invitation Abdul Saboor Ahmad was awarded Rs250,000 for a gold and Rs100,000 for a bronze. Muhammad Afaq Khan, Muhammad Moazzam Iqbal, and Muneeb ur Rehman each received Rs250,000 for their gold medals, while relay team members were given Rs150,000 each. In addition to the cash awards, the PSB distributed Rs63.9 million in financial grants to 22 national sports federations under annual and special categories. These included: Athletics Federation of Pakistan: Rs10 million National Rifle Association: Rs7 million Pakistan Handball Federation: Rs5 million Pakistan Squash Federation: Rs5 million Pakistan Volleyball Federation: Rs5 million Pakistan Wrestling Federation: Rs3 million Pakistan Karate Federation: Rs3 million Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation: Rs2 million Winter Sports Federation Pakistan: Rs2 million Pakistan Swimming Federation: Rs2.25 million Pakistan Table Tennis Federation: Rs2.25 million Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation: Rs2.5 million Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation: Rs2.5 million Pakistan Judo Federation: Rs1 million Pakistan Sailing Federation: Rs1 million Pakistan Wushu Federation: Rs1 million Pakistan Rugby Union: Rs1.1 million Pakistan Badminton Federation: Rs1.1 million Pakistan Taekwondo Federation: Rs1.1 million Pakistan Tennis Federation: Rs1 million Alpine Club of Pakistan: Rs2.1 million Pakistan Kabaddi Federation: Rs3 million Of the total disbursement, Rs32.9 million were allocated as annual grants, while Rs31 million were provided under the special grant category. The PSB said the financial support reflects the government's continued commitment to strengthening the country's sports infrastructure and incentivising high-performing athletes across disciplines.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PR to assemble 200 Chinese trains
Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi stated on Tuesday that 200 advanced Chinese trains are currently being manufactured at the Railway Carriage Factory under a technology transfer agreement. He made these remarks while speaking at the "Meet the Press" event at the National Press Club in the federal capital. Abbasi called the development of Pakistan Railways (PR) key to the country's progress, highlighting the major initiatives taken during his first 100 days in office that have resulted in meaningful improvements. He said the uplift of PR is also vital for the success of strategic projects such as Thar Coal, Reko Diq, and regional connectivity. "Without the upgradation of ML-1, ML-2, and ML-3, the development of railways cannot be envisioned," he stated. Abbasi maintained that 200 advanced Chinese trains are currently being manufactured at the Railway Carriage Factory through a technology transfer agreement. On the occasion, he noted that the Punjab government had allocated billions in the 2025-26 budget, including Rs250 billion for three years for the renewal of the Lahore-Rawalpindi track — expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to two hours and benefit over 30 million people. Additionally, Rs50 billion was earmarked for the development of eight railway stations, and Rs9 billion allocated for the upgradation of level crossings across Punjab to help reduce accidents. The minister shared that the Balochistan government has allocated Rs3 billion, with a commitment to increase the amount, for upgrading existing stations and establishing new ones. He added that development initiatives are also being planned in Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Highlighting passenger amenities, Abbasi said that steps have been taken to improve the overall passenger experience - including the establishment of information desks, sanitation facilities, upgraded food outlets at stations, a modern helpline system, and other services.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Conference urges safer, standardised aesthetic practices
While looking beautiful is every individual's right, aesthetic procedures should only be performed by trained and registered professionals, stressed President of the Dermatology and Aesthetic Association of Pakistan (DAAP), Dr Bilal Shah, at the DAAPCon 2025 conference. The moot, held under DAAP's auspices, stressed the need to standardise and regulate aesthetic and beauty practices in the country, highlighting the growing trend of receiving cosmetic treatments, as well as the consequences of lack of knowledge and unstandardised aesthetic practices in Pakistan. Many dermatologists and aesthetic physicians participated in the event, while pharmaceutical companies also set up stalls. Dr Bilal Shah stated that undergoing aesthetic procedures at the hands of untrained individuals is not only dangerous but often leads to permanent damage, urging the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and relevant regulatory bodies, to take action against substandard clinics and unqualified individuals. Celebrity dermatologist and organising committee member Dr Zara Shah stated that actresses and models commonly face pressure to lose weight or get nose reshaping, even though they often do not need these procedures. She explained that young girls also get expensive treatments like lip fillers and nose jobs, but due to a lack of knowledge, end up damaging their faces. Dr Zara further noted that aesthetic procedures start at around Rs5,000 and can go up to Rs250,000-300,000 for advanced treatments. She explained that laser treatments are used to remove unwanted facial hair, eliminate melasma (dark patches), and enhance the overall appearance of the face, with many girls aspiring to achieve 'Korean glass skin', although it is important to understand the genetic differences between populations. Additionally, she noted that exosome therapy is now being used to enhance beauty and maintain youthful skin, explaining that exosomes are natural particles in the body that help repair and regenerate skin. This therapy treats issues like pigmentation, wrinkles, acne, and hair loss, providing a collagen boost to the skin without surgery, making it look younger and fresher. The conference offered the opportunity to learn about the latest aesthetic technologies, devices, and the experiences of medical professionals, with the aim of delivering better, safer, and more standardised, aesthetic services to Pakistani society.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NMC publishes list of 73 property tax defaulters, plans to auction their properties in first week of July
Nashik: The civic body plans to crack down on property tax defaulters who have not paid their dues for the past few years, despite being served notices several times. In the first phase, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) will auction the properties of 73 property tax defaulters who have left dues unpaid after issuance of warrants for confiscation of properties. In March this year, NMC issued warrants to 425 property tax defaulters, giving an ultimatum of 21 days to pay the dues or face confiscation of properties. These defaulters left dues of over Rs1 lakh unpaid. At least 10 defaulters paid their full or partial payment of property tax to the civic body after the issuance of the warrants. Now, the NMC has started acting against the said defaulters in phases. In the first phase, a list has been published signalling the auction of properties of 73 major defaulters — who have tax dues over Rs 1 lakh pending for the past few years. Of the 73 defaulters, 18 are from the Cidco division and nine in Satpur division. This auction is to be held on July 2. There are 10 defaulters in Nashik East and eight defaulters from the Nashik West division. The properties of these defaulters are to be auctioned on July 3. The auction of properties of defaulters from Panchavati (18) and Nashik Road (10) divisions is to be held on July 4. NMC has over 1.5 lakh property tax defaulters, with dues over Rs250 crore pending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo NMC has already issued first and second notices to over 5,000 defaulters during the last three months, of which warrants were issued to 425 major defaulters. The civic body also introduced an amnesty scheme for property tax defaulters during the Oct-Jan period of the last financial year 2024-25, giving rebates up to 90% in the penalty amount on dues. NMC levies a 2% rate of interest per month on property tax dues along with charges for issuing notices to defaulters. Over 60,000 defaulters availed of the amnesty scheme during this period, resulting in the waiver of Rs30 crore in penalties on outstanding dues. The NMC collected around Rs 60 crore through the amnesty scheme from Oct-Jan. However, many defaulters failed to avail of the window.
