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WITH HIGH HOPES, PM SHEHBAZ LANDS IN KSA TO ATTEND WEF SPECIAL MEETING
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HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION, INCLUDING FM ISHAQ DAR, FINMIN MUHAMMAD AURANGZEB ACCOMPANYING PREMIER
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RIYADH REGION DEPUTY GOVERNOR, PAKISTAN’S AMBASSADOR RECEIVE PM AT RIYADH ROYAL AIRPORT
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ISLAMABAD/RIYADH STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in the two-day special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ‘Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development’, being held from Sunday (tomorrow). Deputy Governor of the Riyadh region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Aziz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and embassy staff received the prime minister and his delegation at the Riyadh Royal Airport. The prime minister was invited to attend the WEF meeting by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab. “The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high level delegation including Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The prime minister and the ministers will participate in WEF discussions on issues related to trade and investment measures, new investment frameworks, restructuring of supply chains, sustainable growth, and the energy landscape,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. The high level participation in the
Forum will afford an important opportunity to present Pakistan’s priorities specifically in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption. On the margins of the main event, the prime minister and his delegation will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Saudi leadership, heads of international organizations, and other prominent figures participating in the event. About 1,000 leaders from business, government, and academia will participate in the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development, WEF said in a press statement. The meeting will focus on new path-
Quetta court suspends Achakzai’s arrest warrant until May 31 QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
The court of a Quetta judicial magistrate on Saturday suspended arrest warrant of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The PkMAP) chairman, a presidential candidate of the Sunni Ittehad Council, was booked under section 448 (house trespass) and section 447 (criminal trespass) in a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Gwalmandi police station on March 11. The warrant was issued after the PkMAP chief failed to appear in court on April 22 for a hearing in connection with the FIR. While issuing the arrest warrant, the judicial magistrate directed police to produce Achakzai before the court on April 27. During hearing on Saturday, Judge Kamran Baloch suspended the arrest warrant and adjourned the hearing till May 31. Achakzai’s defence counsel Advocate Qari Rehmatullah argued that the charges themselves were “brought forward with malice”. He added that Achakzai was not even present in Quetta during the raid, despite being named in the FIR. “It is possible that a relative or some other family member near his residence occupied the land, as Mehmood Khan Achakzai spends most of his time in Islamabad for his political activities,” Rehmatullah told the court. Earlier, officials from the local administration and Quetta, as well as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) charged Achakzai with illegal occupation of government land and interference in official duties when his security guard allegedly resisted a team of officials who raided a plot of land opposite Achakzai’s residence. The guard was taken into custody and was found possessing a firearm without a licence, according to the FIR.
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ways to reinvigorate growth globally amid the challenges posed by an increasingly fragmented geopolitical and economic environment. It will revolve around three themes: revitalizing global collaboration; a compact for inclusive growth; and catalyzing action on energy for development, it was added. The event bridges the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition, and geopolitical shocks. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia along with his delegation to attend a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting. The diplomatic talks will center around trade and investment measures,
new investment frameworks, restructuring of supply chains, sustainable growth, and the energy landscape. The forum will highlight Pakistan’s crucial priorities in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration, and the need to balance promoting growth and energy consumption. The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and officials participating in the event. This visit marks Shehbaz’s second to Saudi Arabia as PM this month. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing and the Saudi media reported. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation for an Iftar gathering at his Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, according to a report in the Saudi media. The Prime Minister’s Office said in its handout that after the Iftar meal, the prime minister and the Saudi crown prince sat for a one-on-one meeting. It added that Prime Minister Shahbaz conveyed his best wishes for the health and well-being of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. A week later, a high-level Saudi delegation, led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, arrived in Pakistan as part of efforts by Pakistan to attract investment from Riyadh.
FBR undergoes major reshuffle following PM’s dissatisfaction, intelligence agencies’ input g
PM ORDERS REMOVAL OF 25 SENIOR OFFICERS FROM KEY POSITIONS PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday underwent a major reshuffle based on the input from three intelligence agencies and dissatisfaction by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the incompetence of the top officers in implementing the track and trace system. According to news reports, based on intelligence reports regarding financial integrity and competence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the removal of 25 senior officers from the FBR, all of whom were in the high pay grades of 21 and 22. This group included prominent members such as chief commissioners and a former FBR chairman who had been unassigned for the past two years. The reshuffle affected Inland Revenue Service (IRS) and Customs Group officers, who were transferred and placed on the OSD list. Discontent is reported among the FBR’s ranks, with complaints about being treated harshly over uncontrollable issues and criticisms of inadequate leadership. According to a notification issued on Friday, 13 key members/director generals of the board and two chief commissioners of Inland Revenue as well as Cus-
toms Group’s top officers have been placed in the admin pool. These officers include Mukarram Jah Ansari (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-22), Member, (Legal & Accounting-Customs) FBR (Hq), Islamabad; Mrs. Shah Bano G.M Khan (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21), Director General, (IOCO) FBR (Hq), Islamabad; Dr. Fareed Iqbal Qureshi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21), Member, (Customs Operations) FBR (Hq), Islamabad; Tariq Mustafa Khan (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21), Member, (Accounting) FBR (Hq), Islamabad; Ahmad Rauf (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21), Director General, Directorate General of Law & Prosecution, Islamabad; Mirza Mubashir Baig (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21), Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi; Hyder Ali Dharejo (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21), Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office I, Karachi; Muhammad Azam Sheikh (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21), Director General, Directorate General of Internal Audit (Inland Revenue), Islamabad; Muhammad Saleem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS21), Chief Collector, Chief Collector of Customs, Appraisement (South), Custom House, Karachi; Abdul Wahid Uqaily (Inland Revenue Serv-
ice/BS-21), Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office II, Karachi; Afaque Ahmed Qureshi (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21), Member, (IR-Policy) FBR (Hq), Islamabad; Khurshid Ahmad Khan Marwat (Inland Revenue Service/BS21), Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad. Following the Prime Minister’s directive and spy agencies’ reports, 22 IRS officers were also transferred. Syed Nadeem Hussain Rizvi was moved to the Inland Revenue Service Academy, Lahore, while Ms. Amina Hassan took on her new role at the Directorate General of AntiBenami Initiative, Islamabad. Other officers including Ahmad Shuja Khan and Sadia Sadaf Gillani received new assignments. On the Customs side, 14 officers received new postings, such as Faiz Ahmad who was transferred to the Customs Academy of Pakistan, Karachi, and Muhammad Sadiq who was appointed as Director General of the Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi. Officers retaining performance allowances before this notification will continue to do so at their new postings. The FBR has directed all affected officers to manage their charge relinquishment and assumption diligently for record-keeping and further action.
Power Division denies plans to impose fixed tax on solar energy g
CLARIFIES NO PROPOSAL TO CHANGE NET METERING RATES AMID PUSH FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY ADOPTION PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The Power Division has refuted claims that the government plans to introduce a fixed tax on solar energy. In a statement released on Saturday, the Power Division clarified, “There are no plans to impose a fixed tax on solar power.” Further details provided by the Division indicated that neither the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) nor the Power Division had proposed such a measure to the government. The Division also reiterated its commitment to the 2017 Net Metering Policy, which is designed to foster the adoption of alternative energy sources. The statement highlighted a significant increase in solar energy adoption under this policy. Additionally, the Division mentioned that it is contemplating certain proposals and amendments to protect economically vulnerable groups from additional financial strain. The spotlight on solar energy has intensified following media reports that the government was considering adjusting the buyback rates for net metering electricity to Rs11 per unit from the existing Rs21. These reports have sparked considerable criticism, as stakeholders encourage the government to continue its support for renewable energy and lower electricity costs in the context of climate change.
SC orders removal of encroachments from public roads, pavements in 3 days KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the government authorities to ensure removal of all encroachments from public roads and pavements across the country within three days. A three-member bench of Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, issued the written order while hearing petitions against encroachments and barricades from important roads and outside important government buildings. The written order was issued two days after the top court had directed the Sindh government to remove barricades placed outside various buildings including Sindh Rangers headquarters, Chief Minister House and Governor House. Following the directives, the Sindh government removed the barricades placed outside the CM House. In its order on Saturday, the apex court said that the encroachments on public roads and pavements are made by those paid out of the public exchequer. “Occupants of properties also assume that the pavement running in front of their property is theirs, to do with it as they please. Generators are also installed thereon. Pavements are for the use of the public; access thereto and use thereof cannot be prevented or restricted,” said the order. It added that everyone, including the provincial and federal governments, and all those under them must abide by the law and cannot encroach upon public roads and pavements nor can block them which may stop or restrict public use thereof. Speaking about barriers that are placed to protect the buildings from terrorist attacks, the court stated that security can be ensured by placing the barriers within the premises. “Therefore, all are directed […] to clear public roads and pavements of all encroachments within three days, failing which the same should be demolished/removed by the relevant authority and the cost incurred thereon shall be recovered from those who encroached thereon,” the order added.
Imran thumbs up for negotiations with establishment, political forces ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Former prime minister and incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan, has reportedly authorised his party to engage in negotiations with the establishment and other political entities. According to media reports, PTI is open to discussions with both the establishment and political parties, a notion confirmed by PTI leader Shibli Faraz, who stated that Imran Khan has granted permission for negotiations. The party insiders claimed that Khan has stressed that any negotiations must adhere strictly to the Constitution and legal frameworks. Furthermore, it is suggested that Terms of Reference (TORs) will be established prior to the negotiations, guiding discussions with stakeholders including the
establishment and political parties. Addressing journalists on Saturday, Faraz highlighted the current political instability in the country and stressed the importance of defining negotiation parameters. The manner in which the negotiations will take place and in what environment should be decided first, only then will the way for the negotiations be paved with those who are the stakeholders, he added. Faraz said PTI is a reality and so is the establishment. He raised questions on the authenticity of the incumbent government formed post-February 8 elections, noting the reliance on Form 47. The PTI leader stated, “It remains to be seen how empowered it [government] is.” Faraz emphasised the need to lay the groundwork and create a conducive environment before initiating dialogue with the gov-
ernment and establishment. During a Senate session the previous day, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Senator Irfan Siddiqui extended an invitation to PTI for talks on the directive of party leadership. On the same day, PTI leader Shehryar Afridi expressed intentions to engage in discussions with the military establishment. Afridi, speaking to a private TV channel, indicated that talks with the army chief and DG ISI would take place soon. Afridi clarified that PTI’s objective is not to seek a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for itself but rather to negotiate for the betterment of Pakistan’s future. He also mentioned Imran Khan’s longstanding desire to engage with the establishment from day one, lamenting the absence of a response thus far.