An online FBR Tax Profiling System has been introduced by the new FBR chief Shabbar Zaidi. With a fee of Rs500, citizens can check their tax profile. The system will enable 53 million people to check their bank details, properties, utility bills and travel history data, on basis of their computerised national identity card (CNIC) and cell phone number.
The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) of United Nations has announced that it will be restoring Islamabad’s status as a family station for international staff, effectively allowing UN personnel to travel with their families to Pakistan. The decision is based on recommendation by Under-Secretary-General of UN Department of Safety and Security who evaluated security situation in Islamabad.
After British Airways resuming its flight operations in Pakistan, airlines from Germany, France and Norway have shown willingness to start flight operations. It has been reported that security teams from the European airlines have conducted security survey’s at Karachi and Islamabad Airports. Pakistan Government has also been contacted by all three airlines in reference to the matter.
In their replies to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s congratulatory letters, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar have said New Delhi wished for peace and development in South Asia and beyond. The leaders added that India always prioritises peace and human development and called for special attention on elimination of terrorism.
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is of the opinion that Pakistan captain Sarafraz Ahmed will lose his job. Harbhajan said that emotions with India and Pakistan match are different and it can cost people their jobs. If Pakistan’s performance is not improved during the ongoing 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, Sarfraz will be gone, he said.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar has claimed that British authorities have agreed to extradite former finance minister Ishaq Dar to Pakistan under a memorandum of understanding. While the response from the UK government was positive, extradition documents for Dar have yet to be signed. Once signed, Dar will be repatriated to Pakistan.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is scheduled to visit Pakistan on June 23 and will confirm details of a $22 billion investment in various sectors of Pakistan. Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed has confirmed visit of the Qatari Emir and the investment as well. Earlier, Pakistan had proposed 30 projects to the Qatar government and investors.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh oversaw the signing ceremony of three loan agreements. The first tranche worth $400 million is targeted at raising revenue to contribute to a sustainable increase in domestic income by broadening the tax base and facilitating compliance. Another $400m agreement is a higher education development programme pursuing to nurture academic excellence.
The 32-year-old Pakistan cricket team captain, Sarfraz Ahmed has accused Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik for conspiring against his captaincy and willingly not playing well especially in the India vs Pakistan match. Apparently, the lobby within the team wants Imad Wasim to be the captain after the World Cup.
The airspace restriction for flights to India, earlier due to end on 15th June, has now been extended until June 28. After the suspension on overfly operations, flights from Lahore to Delhi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Sri Lanka and Urumqi were cancelled. However, there are no restrictions on the operations on the country’s western airspace, which is fully operational.