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PR. No. 294. Federal Tax Ombudsman, Justice ® Munir A. Sheikh has asked Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to set a side Orders-in-Original and Orders in Appeal passed by Assistant Collector (Appeals) of the Sale Tax Department respectively and decide the case of the complainant in accordance with the low and merit. This decision was taken by the FTO on the complaint of the M/s Saleem Enterprises, an exporter of textile goods against the Sale Tax Department which rejected the claims of Sale Tax amounted to Rs.9970545/-. The FTO has ruled in his decision that it is established that the refund claims were kept pending for three years with out any action, audit and security of the account of the suppliers. He has also observed that this reflects the perverse and oppressive attitude of the Sales Tax officials who consider it their right to delay the disposal of the claims without limit with any legal justification. The FTO has observed in his decision that it is a clear case of grave maladminister on the part of Assistant Collector, Sale Tax and Collector (Appeals) who rejected the claims without any justification. He has recommended to the FBR to direct the Collector of Sales Tax to conduct a thorough scrutiny and audit of the suppliers also taking into consideration the claim of the Consultant that sales tax has been refunded to 83 exporters’ on supplies made by the same suppliers and discriminatory treatment meted out to the complainants, decide the cases afresh strictly in accordance with law and merits. He has also asked authorities concerned to complete the action within thirty days; and compliance in this regard be reported to this office within forty days. FK/AR.
PR. No. 295. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that no system is better suited to combat terrorism than democracy and has called upon the US to support the democratically elected government’s endeavours to stabilize its economy and improve the living standards of the people. The Prime Minister expressed these views in his meetings with two separate delegations comprising the US Senators and members of the House of Representatives respectively, held at the Prime Minister’s House this morning. The delegations included Senator Ben Nilson, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Allyson Schwarz, and Congressman Wayne Gilch. The US Ambassador in Pakistan, Ms. Anne Patterson was also present in the meetings. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan values its strategic relationship with the US and desires to further expand its cooperation in trade, investment, economic and social sectors. He also called upon the US to provide greater market access to Pakistani products in the US. The Prime Minister said that terrorism is a global phenomenon and a great threat to humanity ruining economic development and global peace. The world community, he said has to develop a collective approach to arrest the trend of terrorism and extremism by addressing its root causes. He also stressed the need for more intelligence sharing between the two countries in order to address the issue effectively. The Prime Minister said that political dialogue with moderate elements that have renounced war and laid down arms, economic uplift and empowerment of the tribal areas through establishment of ROZs and continued campaign against the extremists and terrorists are the main elements of the newly elected government’s three-pronged strategy against terrorism. He said that Pakistan believes a varying combination of these elements will eventually help achieve the common objective. He urged the Senators to ensure early passage of the legislation pertaining to the ROZs. While talking about the recent elections, the Prime Minister said that the people of Pakistan have given a clear mandate in favour of the moderate and democratic forces who formed coalition governments both at the Centre and in the provinces which augers well for strengthening all state institutions and democracy. While appreciating Pakistan’s efforts in curtailing extremism and terrorism, the members of the delegation said that the US relations with Pakistan and its people are very important and expressed US desire for developing a stable and multi-faceted relationship with Pakistan. The members of the delegation told the Prime Minister that there are ample opportunities exist between the two countries to further expand their relations especially in economic, trade, defence and counter terrorism areas. They expressed the confidence that the US law makers would be keen to work with the emerging democratic government in Pakistan. DSG/AR.
PR. No. 296. As part of national effort to provide relief to the earthquake victims in China, a Medical Mission of Pakistan has proceeded to china today. The Mobile Surgical Team comprising twenty eight Pakistani Doctors and Paramedics departed early morning from PAF Base Chaklala carrying four tons of medicines and eight tons of medical equipment in two C-130 aircrafts. Federal Minister for Information Ms Sherry Rehman, Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen ® Farooq Ahmad Khan and Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan and other senior officials see off the Medical Mission at PAF Base Chaklala. Uptill now Pakistan has donated over 21000 tents, eight tons of medicines and other relief items including mineral water and plastic mats to China. The Medical Mission will stay in China for four weeks initially. CI/AR.
PR. No. 297. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Ambassador Tariq Aziz ud Din showed exceptional courage and dignity during the period of his kidnapping that stretched over a period of three months. The Prime Minister expressed these sentiments while talking to the Ambassador, Mr. Tariq Aziz ud Din, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that entire nation prayed for the early and safe release of Mr. Tariq Aziz ud Din and our prayers were eventually answered by Allah Almighty. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the family of Mr. Tariq Aziz ud Din who also showed tremendous courage and grace during their trying period of Mr. Tariq Aziz ud Din illegal confinement. DSG/AR.
PR. No. 298. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan values its relationship with its development partners particularly the World Bank which helped Pakistan to invest in infrastructure, health, education as well as to continue the process of economic reforms necessary for the liberalization of economy. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a high-powered delegation of the World Bank headed by Vice President, Mr. Praful C. Patel, who called on him at the PM’s House this morning. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the World Bank in development of Pakistan and stated that Pakistan’s economy is a growing economy and his government would do its utmost to improve the macro-economic profile of the country with a view to achieve an impressive growth rate and above all, better living conditions for the people of Pakistan. The Prime Minister while appreciating the active support of World Bank for Pakistan in the past expressed the hope that this cooperation would continue to help Pakistan in achieving its newly fixed priorities to overcome the shortage of energy, water and food through construction of new dams and other related projects. The Prime Minister said that the people have high hopes from the new democratic government which is fully committed to come up to the expectations and would undertake policies focusing on reducing poverty, increasing per capita income, generating more jobs and improving the living standard of the people. The Prime Minister said that government will soon be introducing prudent economic policies and their successful implementation would be ensured. The formation of Economic Advisory council is a step in this direction, he added. The Vice President of the World Bank, who was on his farewell call, expressed the unequivocal support of the Bank to the Prime Minister and his government and briefed the Prime Minister on the development activities being undertaken by the bank along with improvements and priorities suggested by the mission. He affirmed that the World Bank would continue to be a partner in the development of Pakistan and shall provide necessary assistance in the key areas like water and power, infrastructure, education and other social sectors and poverty alleviation. The meeting was told that during the recent years the World Bank’s financial support to Pakistan has increased manifold and the Bank is committed to provide concessional financing to Pakistan. He offered financial assistance to Pakistan from food crises response fund created by the World Bank in the wake of ongoing world food crises. He offered financial and technical assistance for the upcoming budget. He also assured that the agreed programme would also be delivered well in time during the course of the current financial year. He expressed the hope that the new democratic government under the able leadership of the Prime Minister and introduction of efficient economic management would bring about change the overall outlook of the economy and World Bank would provide all possible cooperation/assistance in meeting those objectives. Federal Minister for Finance, Mr. Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and Secretary Finance also attended the meeting. DSG/AR
PR. No. 299. A South African delegation led by Mr. Paul Main called on Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister here today. The delegation comprises a group of entrepreneurs engaged in mining of diamond and coal in South Africa. The delegates discussed with Finance Minister their existing development specific attainments in South Africa in the discipline of geological and mineral related discoveries. The delegation evinced keen interest in the coal mining areas of Thar in Pakistan, expressing desire to exchange know-how and expertise in the development of said discipline to the benefit of both the countries. The South African Group has over twenty mining related projects all over the world, having simultaneous expertise in oil exploration. The Group operates from London and discussed with Finance Minister its institutional concepts and planning to offer investment in Pakistan’s mining resources located in Punjab and Sindh. Mr. Paul Main is the Chief Executive of Arcadia Energy and Mining Limited headquartered in London . Finance Minister appreciated investment-based entrepreneurial interest of the South African delegates and promised to take up the matter with concerned GoP stakeholders to institutionalize their investment potential in times to come. The South African Group earlier held professional meeting with the concerned officials in M/o Petroleum and Natural Resources and expressed satisfaction over the encouragement vis-à-vis its entrepreneurial potential in Pakistan. The Finance Minister appreciated the technical know-how and expertise of the visiting South African Arcadia Energy and Mining Limited Group’s mining-based investment potential in Pakistan. NJ/AR.
PR. No. 300. Mr. Praful C. Patel, Vice President, World Bank South Asian Region along with his team members called on Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister here today. Mr. Patel discussed with Finance Minister matters relating to current global and region specific economic issues. Finance Minister briefed WB Team on latest economic issues confronting Government of Pakistan against the backdrop of pre-budget preparations during FY: 2008-09. GoP’s economic priorities and broad policy framework were impressed upon WB Vice President South Asian Region. Mr. Praful Patel presented a detailed overview of global economic conditions focusing South Asian Region against emerging world economic realities. Discussion also focused on GoP’s economic reforms agenda that primarily takes into account common man’s economic concerns who ultimately is the recipient of the impact of GoP’s multi-sectoral fiscal measures. Towards the end, both the sides appreciated each others institutional viewpoint on matters of resource mobilization, revenue generation and overall pricing scene. Government of Pakistan and World Bank would continue to interact on all local and regional fiscal and monetary issues that impact national development, it was agreed. The Finance Minister appreciated World Bank’s role in leading the global efforts regarding harmonization and alignment of aid in the context of Paris Declaration, concurrently highlighting Pakistan’s macro-economic performance. NJ/AR.
PR. No. 301. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that stabilising the economy is the topmost on the present government’s agenda and the government has taken various measures to control the fiscal deficit despite the exogenous shocks facing the country in the form of unprecedented global hike in oil and commodity prices. The Prime Minister observed this while talking to the IMF Director Middle East and Central Asia Department, Mr. Mohsin S. Khan who called on him at the PM’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said the government appreciates the advice given by the IMF on improving the current financial situation of Pakistan. He said the government will tighten economic management while taking steps for poverty alleviation and employment generation. He said the government will try its best to minimize dependence on borrowing from the central bank and to meet the deficit from various sources. Efforts will be reinforced to mobilise external inflows, he said. The Prime Minister said the National Assembly has unanimously voted for him because people believe that the ruling coalition can bring the country out of the economic mess and financial crunch which was due to imprudent economic policies and flawed priorities of the previous government. The Prime Minister was told that the IMF mission is in Pakistan for the last ten days analysing the current economic situation and preparing suggestions for a proper course of action for improving the economy. Federal Minister for Finance Mr. Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the PM on Economic Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Finance and other senior officials also attended the meeting. DSG/ank
PR. No. 302.
In terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the
Prime Minister has been pleased to allocate, with immediate effect, the
additional portfolio of sports to Mr. Najmuddin Khan, Minister for States
and Frontier regions, says a notification issued by the Cabinet
Secretariat here today.
PR. No. 303. Islamabad, May 27, 2008. Pakistani Parliamentary Delegation led by the Chairman Senate Mr. MohammadMian Soomro met NATO Secretary General Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Berlin today. The NATO Secretary General warmly welcomed Pakistani delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Session. He praised Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism. He said “Pakistan is part of the solution to the problems in Afghanistan”. He also invited the Chairman Senate to visit Brussels and address the NATO Ambassadors on Pakistan’s crucial role in the region, says a press release receive from Berlin, here today. The Chairman Senate thanked the NATO Secretary General for his warm welcome and said that Pakistan has made more significant contribution in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism and is facing consequence of policies that have their roots outside Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has deployed 120,000 troops in the tribal area and have established 1000 posts on the border with Afghanistan. He mentioned that more than 2000 troops have lost their lives in the tribal region. The Chairman Senate also invited NATO Secretary General to visit Pakistan and interact with members of the Parliament. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed raised the issue of civilian casualties in Pakistan and Afghanistan and said that this issue was causing concerns in our public opinion and it should be addressed by NATO. Senators Sardar Mohammad Latif Khosa, Mohammad Azam Khan Swati and Seemian Yousaf Siddiquie were also present during the meeting. Earlier during the session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Senators Mushahid Hussain Syed and Sardar Mohammad Latif Khosa gave presentation and explained Pakistan’s perspective on the fight against terrorism and Afghanistan issue. They said that the Pakistan has made most significant contributions and sacrifices in the campaign against terrorism. They also said that Pakistan should not be blamed for the situation in Afghanistan which is due to failure of western policies. Senator Sardar Mohammd Latif Khosa mentioned that PPP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a victim of terrorism and Pakistan has paid very high price in the fight against terrorism which is more than any other country for the instability in Afghanistan.
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