Foreign investors and local business leaders are increasingly alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in Karachi, which they now describe as a paradise for criminals. Street crime has surged by 100% in the past six months, transforming Karachi from the city of lights to the city of danger.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the business leaders expressed deep concern about the worsening law and order situation, where none feel safe except heavily-guarded VIPs like politicians and bureaucrats. The apathy of political parties has dashed any hopes for improvement, further frustrating business leaders who view Karachi as a crucial contributor to the national economy and a major source of employment. Pakistan is known because of Karachi, and thus, net-net, Pakistan suffers if Karachi breaks down.
Karachi faces multiple issues. The toll of the negative image of Karachi has been further magnified by the continuous loadshedding and frequent outages of electricity, the low gas pressure, the erratic availability of water, the ballooning corruption at all tiers of the government machinery, and the landscaping of its beautiful environment by scattered litter, heaps of stomach-churning garbage, and obnoxious graffiti nearly everywhere. Karachi has transformed from the city of lights to the city of danger.
Eminent business leader and famous industrialist Majyd Aziz said, “Karachi is a paradise for criminals. The escalating volatile situation in Karachi has exposed the law enforcing agencies’ lack of expertise in controlling rising crimes. At the same time, the failure of the politicians to evolve a workable solution has also shown their lack of will and command in persuading the law enforcing agencies to put their house in order.”
The crime scenario has become an albatross around the neck of the business community since this explosive and dangerous situation has compelled foreign buyers to revisit their business relationship with Pakistani counterparts.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) Chairman Atiq Mir said it is painful that the local administration of Karachi is trying hard to hush up the ground realities of the worst law and order situation instead of improving it.
“100% street crimes have increased during the last six months on account of runaway unemployment, rising poverty, and no control on hardcore criminals. After the federal budget 2023-2024, the crime rate will skyrocket as all essential commodities are out of reach of poor people. People have a clear-cut perception that the existing rulers, including all top institutions, are responsible for this storm of inflation and issues,” he said.
Moreover, foreign investors expressed grave concerns over the country’s security in the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) 2024 Survey released on Wednesday, while highlighting street crimes in the business hub of the country.
The OICCI has released the results of its latest Security Survey 2024, highlighting increasing concerns over the country’s deteriorating security environment. The survey reported a deterioration in Karachi’s security, with concerns about street crime rising from 69% to 80%. Balochistan’s security situation also worsened, increasing from 68% to 75%. However, there were marginal improvements in Lahore, where the security situation improved from 73% to 49%, in Punjab from 63% to 53%, and in Peshawar from 68% to 58%.
OICCI management committee member Kamran Ataullah Khan said, “Our members stress the importance of sustained efforts by law enforcement agencies to enhance security, which is crucial for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).”
He said visits by foreign nationals for business purposes have been impacted by economic instability and security incidents.
OICCI Secretary General M Abdul Aleem said the survey provides detailed feedback from foreign investors on various aspects of doing business related to security, such as street crimes, expatriate security, illegal gratification, and protests.
Approximately 75% of OICCI members are based in Karachi, with the remainder in Lahore and Islamabad, operating throughout the country.
An undated image showing a general outside view of the FBR building. — Facebook/Federal Board of Revenue/File
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday ruled out any general extension in the September 30 deadline announced by the tax collecting authority for the submission of tax returns.
Speaking to Geo News, FBR spokesperson Bakhtiar Muhammad said: “Historically, a facility used to be given [to the masses] by extending the overall deadline. However, this time the decision has been made that the date [for submission of tax returns] will not be extended and September 30 will be the last date to file tax returns.”
The development comes as traditionally the FBR, in recent years, has adopted the practice of extending the tax return submission deadline which was pushed to October 31 last year.
Last year, the authority pushed the date for the filing of tax returns to October 31.
However, it seems that the FBR intends to provide no leeway and intends to adopt a rather strict approach towards the issue amid the incumbent government’s strenuous efforts to expand the tax net and increase revenue generation in light of the multi-pronged economic challenges faced by the country.
In June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led administration in its tax-heavy budget passed in June, set out an ambitious taxation plan to boost its prospects of securing a fresh bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — which it eventually did as the programme now awaits the approval of the Fund’s executive board.
Elaborating on the authority’s decision against extending the deadline, the spokesperson underscored that it was a legal requirement to submit the tax returns by September 30.
Acknowledging that some filers may find it difficult to submit their returns before the due date, such people can reach out to their respective tax commissioners and seek an individual extension as provisioned in the law.
They can secure an extension owing to their specific reasons, however, the deadline will not be pushed beyond September 30 for the entire country overall, he added.
When asked about this might leave thousands unable to submit their tax returns, the FBR spokesperson said that this was what the authority warned the masses before the deadline expired.
Noting that there were still nine days left to submit the returns, the official said: “There is a three-month period [for people] to file their tax returns from July 1 till September 30. If they wanted to submit their returns, they would have done so during this time”.
FBR gears up for drastic measures
Last week, The News reported that the FBR has proposed drastic measures to avoid a possible shortfall in tax collection including freezing bank accounts and imposing a ban on the purchase of property and vehicles for tax evaders.
Facing a monumental tax shortfall in the first quarter (July-September) under the IMF programme of $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) coupled with its failure to bring 3.2 million retailers into the tax net, the tax collection body has geared up for significant taxation measures against millions.
Sources said that an internal assessment of the FBR has shown a tax shortfall of over Rs220 billion for the first quarter (July-September) against the agreed target of Rs2,652 billion.
The authority faced a shortfall of Rs98 billion in August 2024. The FBR had collected Rs1,456 billion in the first two months (July and August) against the assigned target of Rs1,554 billion leaving the body with the challenging task of fetching Rs1,196 billion during the ongoing month to materialise the first quarter agreed target with the IMF.
The annual tax collection target of FBR envisaged Rs12,970 billion, which was approved by parliament (Rs12,913 billion).
Speaking to the publication, official sources confirmed that the FBR identified two million nil filers out of the total of six million return filers.
Suggesting to categorise non-filers into three categories, the authority has recommended the government impose a fine of Rs1 million for incorrect/incomplete tax returns.
The FBR official further added that “nil filers” would have to face severe action including freezing of their bank accounts and a ban on the purchase of properties or vehicles with an immediate effect.
Whereas, those evading payment of tax amounts ranging from Rs0.5 million to Rs1 million will face disconnection of electricity and gas connections.
It is to be noted that previously, the tax collection body also ordered the disconnection of mobile phones of 0.5 million non-filers, but it could not achieve the desired results.
The FBR, in the third category, has tabled the recommendation that if the tax dodgers were under filers up to the tune of Rs1 million or more, it would also propose some more measures against them.
Furthermore, the tax authority has decided to outsource audits of high-net-worth individuals (HNWs) and companies.
ISLAMABAD – A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday gave in-principle approval to FBR’s homegrown Transformation Plan regarding tax collection management.
This plan has been prepared by the FBR on the instructions of the Prime Minister in collaboration with other economic and technological experts of the country after a detailed analysis of the tax collection of the last twenty five years.
This will enable more tax to be collected in a better manner without hindering the journey of economic development and will provide more convenience to the people paying full tax.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the FBR’s transformation plan. It was informed that the plan includes a comprehensive strategy for the effective use of information technology, incentivizing officers and staff who demonstrate integrity and performance in improving tax collection and enhancing the enforcement of tax laws.
According to the proposals, strict measures can be taken against those who do not pay full tax on time and are involved in fraud in order to prevent tax evasion in the society.
It was informed that these measures will be implemented after extensive consultation with good taxpayers.
Under the transformation plan, auditing capacity of FBR will be enhanced.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister was appreciative of FBR’s transformation plan and directed further consultation on it with all relevant stakeholders. He said good taxpayers should be invited and consulted on the transformation plan.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to further enhance the effectiveness of the FBR’s enforcement system, describing it a pressing need of the time.
The Prime Minister noted that FBR is the backbone of the country’s economy and its digitization is an important milestone in government’s economic reforms.
Shehbaz Sharif said improvement in revenues will enhance the provision of services to the public and lead to betterment in the social sector.
The Prime Minister also directed third party audit of all FBR projects.
Shehbaz Sharif said promotion of the private sector is among the government’s priorities, emphasizing an active and prosperous private sector is very important for the country’s economy.
The Prime Minister also directed to accelerate efforts against smuggling. It was also decided to set up new check posts to prevent smuggling.
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.
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
