Pakistan

Cutting govt’s size finally | The Express Tribune

Published

2 مہینے ago

اگست 5, 2024

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ISLAMABAD:

At the turn of this century, the economic-intellectual scene in Pakistan was totally dominated by economists, who never gave a thought to the growing size of the government.

Although it is still they who largely define the national economic scenario depending on the ever-increasing size of the government, an alternative economic narrative has emerged that is becoming clearly visible. Now, the government has to acknowledge its bigger and bloated size and do something about it. This dent in the dome of the statist economists has been caused by the slow and steady hammering by a group of classical liberals who, around the year 2000, started questioning the rationale of the unlimited size of the government, the delivery of which was nothing but zero. At present, it has entered the red zone.

As this group, which initially consisted of a handful of persons, gradually won the support of intellectuals and economists from other domains and institutions, their views generated a hum and, finally, their strengthened voice somehow succeeded in resonating in the closed ears of those slumbering in the power corridors.

It was in March this year that the incumbent prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, formed a committee and tasked it with reducing the federal government’s size and rationalising pension and development expenditures. The main objective of the committee was to suggest institutional reforms and cut the size of the government.

In fact, there have been now and then, a plethora of attempts by various governments at rightsizing and downsizing its body politic, but these have always proved to be merely political fads.

Likewise, as is the case, almost every government fashionably tries to present itself as a frugal one, and thus goes for austerity and cutting expenditures, though no substantial saving comes out of it but a bigger spending somewhere else. It’s all a cycle of penny-wise, pound-foolish optics.

Like a government that is in dire economic straits, the Shehbaz Sharif administration too, who knows, may be acting in earnest or not in earnest, however, apart from any political and such optics, the government has put the issue of the size of the government at least on the table and on its agenda. Not only did the government put it on the agenda, it has set parameters to proceed in this regard. Somehow, that’s a good omen.

Soon after the announcement of 2024-25 budget, the prime minister constituted a high-powered committee on rightsizing the federal government for a detailed review and analysis on the basis of the initial work done by an earlier committee. The committee is going to present its recommendations within 75 days to the prime minister.

The terms of reference of this committee are as follows:

1) Propose an architecture for functions of the federal government that can be undertaken in private mode; ascertain functions requiring public finances that can be performed in private mode; and analyse whether the remaining functions have an appropriate and economical architecture corresponding to them.

2) Determine the functions that are entirely provincial with no international obligation and without affecting the common market principles.

3) Recommend a concrete plan with a clear way forward and methodology, along with ascertainment to safeguard assets, human resources and other ancillary issues.

4) Any other issue relevant to the scope of work assigned to the committee.

Given the historical track record of various governments, one must remain sceptical with a tinge of hope about something to materialise in reality this time around. Notwithstanding the longstanding despair, there is no denying the fact that the issue of the size of the government is finally on the agenda, and future governments will also not be able to ignore it.

The writer is affiliated with the PRIME institute as a distinguished research fellow

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Pakistan

Honda CD70 Dream Latest Price, Installment Plans – Sep 2024 Update – Pakistan Observer

Published

6 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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Honda remains leader in bikes market, with its top-selling units like CD 70, and that’s without making any major changes as the entry-level bikes look almost same for a long time. As the CD-70 remains its most selling model, bikes like the CD-70 Dream and Pridor are considered a niche products.

Despite failing to achieve top sales, CD 70 Dream is still in the market, featuring air-cooled, 4-stroke engine that delivers smooth performance and impressive fuel economy, often averaging around 60-70 km/l, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The bike looks better with stylish and modern design with attractive graphics, as compared to simple CD70. People also like its comfort as built quality remains optimum, comparing to other players.

Its pricing makes it accessible to a wide audience, including students and working professionals, solidifying its status as a favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts in Pakistan.

As bikes prices remain out of hands, people are having hard time to upgrade their ride while companies also face low sales.

Honda CD 70 Dream Price

The price of Honda CD70 Dream is Rs168,900 in September 2024.

Honda CD 70 Dream Installments

Installment Plans	Monthly Payments
3 months	Rs56,300
6 months	Rs28,300
9 months	Rs21,890
12 months	Rs17,200
24 months	Rs10,170
36 months	Rs7,800

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Check Property Ownership in Lahore, other Punjab cities Online – Pakistan Observer

Published

7 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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If you live in Lahore or any other city in Punjab; you might have faced difficulties in getting land record in previous years, but now the government made the land verification process smooth with digitization.

To curb the menace of land mafia and to help residents of Punjab, the government rolled out a systematic process and also eased the process of property transfers and real estate transactions.

A new verification system is Live by provincial authorities to check the legitimacy of properties available for purchase or investment across the region of 110 million people.

The relevant authority in this regard is Punjab Land Record Authority which oversees management and maintenance of land records. You can get different services, including ability to search for and view land records, as well as request copies of documents.

Check Property Ownership Online 2024

Here’s Step by Step Guide To Check property ownership

Step 1: Please visit PLRA portal at Punjab-zameen.gov.pk.

Step 2: Find ‘Property Registration,’ on home and click on https://rodportal.punjab-zameen.gov.pk/.

Step 3: It will ask you to select your district and service center.

Step 4: You can search by different options including Bahi number, ID card, registration number, or by person name.

Step 5: After entering details, please advance to ‘Search’ to get the land ownership.

With latest updates, you can check data on number of property transfers in last 36 months.

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Pakistan

Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

Published

8 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

The company decided to replace Bolan for its outdated design and lack of safety features. Amid its low sales, consumer demand for a modern replacement like Changan Karvaan increased.

Suzuki Every to Replace Bolan

Suzuki earlier mentioned that Every will replace Bolan, and one of its recent model was unveiled at a recent auto show.

The launch of Every models faced delays due to import challenges and it is expected to launch in mid October.

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Gold prices reach historic high in Pakistan – Pakistan Observer

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