Category: National

PM Imran expected to meet President Trump soon

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that US President Donald Trump had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the Prime Minister could not travel to Washington due to his occupancy with the budget session. Currently, dates are being worked out between both sides for a meeting expected in September to discuss “important regional matters”.

Pakistani education startup SABAQ shortlisted for Siemens global awards

SABAQ, an education technology initiative for children in low-cost and low resource environments, is the only Pakistani startup chosen from a pool of 800 submissions from 86 countries. The 11 finalists for the empowering people Award (epAward) 2019 by the Siemens Foundation will be competing with for top 3 spots in Cairo next month for a 50,000 Euros prize.

Foreign assets worth Rs. 1 trillion to be declared in current amnesty

The current tax amnesty, due to end 30th June, is expected to have Rs. 1 trillion declared with assets in United Arab Emirates (UAE) taking the lead. According to reports, Rs. 346 billion or nearly one third of total, has come from UAE, followed by Switzerland (Rs114.8 billion), UK (Rs89.7 billion), Singapore (Rs87.3 billion) and British Virgin Islands (Rs48.9 billion).

Unregistered doctors become FBR’s next target

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to include unregistered doctors into tax net, in order to broaden the tax base. FBR has given Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to submit details of its members within 10 days. Most doctors registered with PMDC are not filing their tax returns, despite it being mandatory requirement by the board.

Disciplinary action to be taken against PTI leader

Masroor Ali Siyal, PTI leader from Karachi, will be facing strict disciplinary action for assaulting President of Karachi Press club during a a talk show, says Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Political Affairs Naeemul Haque. In the aftermath of the scuffle, video of which has gone viral, PTI leaders have also been temporarily barred from Karachi and Lahore Press clubs.

UK increases its financing to support businesses in Pakistan

The United Kingdom (UK) has decided to increase its funding from 400 million pounds to one billion pounds, in order to finance projects and encourage British firms to set up in Pakistan. As Pakistan’s rating improves on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, UK will provide direct lending into projects like infrastructure, roads, hospitals, and schools.

IHC announces rule for second marriage

The Islamabad High Court has declared that the permission in writing from the arbitration council is mandatory for second marriage, even if the husband has prior permission from the first wife. The court said that under the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961, the person doing second marriage without permission is liable to punishment and fine or both.

PM House no longer to be converted into a university

After spending a total of Rs 30 million on feasibility report of grand plan to convert Prime Minister House in Islamabad into a fully operational university for masses, the government is now planning to set up an engineering institute instead. The institute will offer research and academic facilities from Masters to PhD in fields of engineering and emerging technologies.

Post Pulwama, lone Pakistani submarine baffled Indian Navy

The Indian Navy (IN) deployed a sizeable chunk of its fleet and supporting air arm to trace a Pakistan Navy (PN) submarine following the suicide attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama district. As relationships worsened, India was unable to locate an advanced Pakistani Agosta-class submarine – PNS Saad and extensively searched for it 21 days using all kinds of modern warfare.

Pakistan receives help from Qatar in form of $3 billion

Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in an official Tweet has revealed that during his two-day visit to Pakistan, the Emir of Qatar HRH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani announced $3 billion in deposits and direct investments for Pakistan. The break up of the $3 billion aid was not provided by the ministry.