G ovt, IMF at loggerheads over power subsidies, PDL

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Sources said that the IMF has also directed the Pakistani team to use public sector development program (PSDP) funds to curtail the fiscal deficit which would be 7% against 4 5 percent estimated in the budget

Sources also said that the Pakistani team has also informed that the cost of debt servicing owing to recent devaluation has been increased to Rs5 2 trillion, which means that fiscal deficit would be over 7 percent

They also said that the IMF has also asked to increase one percent sales tax across the board However, nothing has yet been finalized with respect to additional taxes even though various proposals were under consideration and a decision would be taken after the gap is determined during policy level talks

Sources said that technical level talks with the Fund have not been extended for two more days to hold further discussion on the power sector They said that the completion of the 9th review to revive the stalled IMF programme is very critical for Pakistan

The second phase of policy level talks would start from Tuesday and will continue till February 9 on memorandum of economic and financial policies

: However, the IMF has softened its stance over subsidy under Kissan Package and Balochistan tube wells” in energy sector

The IMF has demanded hike in tax over luxury items, there are proposals to increase tax over cigarettes and drinks A proposal also being considered about imposing federal excise duty over air tickets and enhancing 50 paisa per stick excise duty on expensive cigarettes The monetary fund has also demanded restricting the state interference in the economy by privatization as well as it insisted for regular audit in government departments

To meet another condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the federal government has made it mandatory for all government officials of grade 17 and above to declare their assets

A notification to this effect was also issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)

According to the notification the government has also asked public servants to submit details of their overseas assets “All 17 to 22 Grade officers have to provide all information before opening a bank account,” the notification read s tA f f R e p o Rt

He also expressed his satisfaction on the preparations for the international interfaith conference

He said the conference is a unique combination of artistic exhibition and intellectual discourse that will convene international figures including politicians, diplomats, UN envoys, observers, US Congressmen, philanthropists, civil society and media

Saeed Faisal underlined that the important part of the event is the chariot ride that will carry 25 oil paintings of various international personalities by Markus Salik

Additional Secretary Environment apprised the delegation about air quality index and environmental pollution CEO Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) gave a briefing on investment opportunities in Punjab while Additional Secretary Environment informed about air quality and environmental pollution T h e I t a l i a n d e l e g a t i o n c o m p r i s e d Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation O ff i c e S t e f a n o G l i n i a n s k i , H e a d o f E v a l u a t i o n O ff i c e F r a n c e s c e o Capecchi, Deputy Head of Mission of I t a l i a n E m b a s s y R o b e r t o N e c c i a , F r a n c e s c o Z a t t a , E m m a n u e l l e B e n i n i , J a c o p o B r a n c h i s i , P a r t n e r s h i p E x p e r t Mission Coordinator Honorary Consul o f I t a l y F a h a d I q b a l a n d o t h e r s P r o v i n c i a l I n d u s t r i e s M i n i s t e r S M Ta n v e e r, S e c r e t a r y A g r i c u l t u r e , Secretary Information CEO PBIT and concerned officials were also present on the occasion

j&K dispute will remain key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy: bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called upon India to end its gross human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 including demographic changes In his message on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the Foreign Minister said India must repeal draconian laws allow UN-mandated investigations into cases of extrajudicial killings and implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir

He said Jammu and Kashmir dispute will remain a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy Meanwhile Finance Minister Ishaq Dar stated Pakistan is committed to its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just struggle of our Kashmiri brethren for their right of self-determination In a tweet today he said right of self-determination for Kashmiris is enshrined in the UN Charter and UN resolutions s tA f f R e p o Rt

ISPr says no amount of atrocities can suppress spirit of Kashmiris for freedom

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army pays tribute to the indigenous freedom struggle of brave Kashmiris for their right to self-determination as per the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of people of Kashmir saying no amount of human rights violations and atrocities can suppress the spirit of Kashmiris for freedom, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday ISPR DG Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry released the message of the leadership of Armed Forces on Kashmir Solidarity Day on the Twitter handle He wrote: “CJCSC, Services Chiefs & AFs of Pakistan pay tribute to the indigenous freedom struggle of brave Kashmiris for their right to self-determination as per UN resolutions & aspirations of people of Kashmir No amount of HRV / atrocities can suppress the spirit of Kashmiris for freedom ” s tA f f R e p o R t

drugs wor th $1.69m discovered from 12-year-old boy

ISLAMABAD: Coast guards seized 26 2 kilogrammes of narcotics from a 12-year-old boy in Balochistan, a statement said over the weekend The coast guards were searching passenger vehicles at a check post when a passenger bus heading to Karachi arrived and its passengers were checked, the statement said The coast guards discovered narcotics worth $1 69 million in the international market from the boy disguised as a woman, it added The boy was hiding the narcotics in the vest that he wore under his clothes the statement said adding that further investigations are underway s tA f f R e p o Rt