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People behind leak of COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s income tax records identified: Ishaq Dar

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  • Ishaq Dar assures the matter will reach its “logical conclusion”.
  • Law does not allow release of army chief or anyone else’s tax returns without a court order.
  • If “illegal work” is allowed or a blind eye is turned towards it then a person will not be fulfilling their duty.

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar shared on Tuesday that he has received the interim report related to the leak of Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s income tax records, adding that they have traced some people involved in the act.

In an interview during Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Dar repeated that leaking army chief’s income tax returns was “illegal”.

A day earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar took notice of the “illegal and unwarranted” leakage of tax information of Gen Bajwa’s family members.

“This is clearly a violation of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides,” a statement from the Finance Division had read.

In view of this serious lapse on the part of to-date unknown functionaries, Dar had directed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha to personally lead the probe, affix responsibility, and submit a report within 24 hours. 

“I have seen the interim report. I hope to receive the final report today,” Dar told the host during today’s show. He added that the government has found a few people behind the leak and the issue will reach its logical conclusion.

The finance czar shared that one person involved in the leak is from Lahore and another from Rawalpindi. 

However, he added that there is a possibility that some of the individuals involved may have the authorisation to look at the income tax records as there a “circle” in Rawalpindi where assessments take place.

“These people are authorised to access [data] for their assessment,” said Dar.

The finance minister was of the view that if “illegal work” is allowed or a blind eye is turned towards it then a person will not be fulfilling their duty.

“The law does not allow the release of army chief or anyone else’s income tax returns without a court order,” said the finance minister.

Pakistan will not default

Reacting to Imran Khan’s claim that Pakistan’s default risk soared from 5% to 80% during the tenure of the incumbent coalition government, the finance minister said that the PTI leaders should think that whether they were working in or against the interests of the country.

The finance czar berated the former PTI government for borrowing historic loans and ruining the economy ahead of the COVID-19 outbreak. He reiterated that Pakistan will not default and would repay loans on time. 

“They must stop the dirty politics,” he added.

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Rana Sana and Saad Rafique offered to join the government: sources

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In order to craft a political narrative, Rana Sanaullah reportedly persuaded the PM to let them remain outside the government.

They should write the political narrative while still working for the government, PM Shehbaz Sharif instructed them, according to sources.

“Since you will speak while staying outside the government fold, it will appear that we are against it,” the PM stated.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, according to sources, was also of the opinion that Rana Sanaullah was near to having.

According to their respective opinions, “We have to create a narrative in view of the future, liked by the masses.”

“The Prime Minister stated that Nawaz Sharif will decide on this issue,” according to party insiders.

“If Nawaz Sharif decides to let us join the government, Rana Sanaullah said,” according to sources.

The sources went on to say that Nawaz Sharif will decide on the issue after returning from his current trip to China.

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More than 100,000 people sign up for CM Punjab’s motorbike programme.

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The information indicates that approximately 16,000 online applications were submitted to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) via the web portal. Records from the PITB indicated that 3,800 pupils applied for electric motorcycles and over 13,000 for gas-powered motorcycles.

Before the first phase deadline of April 29, students from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi are eligible to apply.

The Punjab government would pay the down payment for the students to purchase gasoline and electric motorcycles through convenient monthly installment options.

Additionally, the markup will be paid by the province government in equal monthly installments.

It is important to note that on April 12th, CM Maryam Nawaz announced the start of the Chief Minister Youth Initiative project, which involves providing 20,000 bikes.

With the help of CM Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, students can purchase motorbikes and e-bikes through simple monthly installment plans. Male students can take advantage of this offer for Rs 11,676 per month, while female students can do so for Rs 7,325 per month.

Interestingly, the distribution of motorcycles in Lahore would take into account the population density of every district, guaranteeing fair access for pupils throughout the area.

April 29, 2024 is the deadline for submitting applications in order to be eligible for the motorcycles. Students who are interested may apply via the official Punjab government website.

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Business

The investment plan for K-Electric will be audited every three months.

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In light of K-Electric’s inability to persuade NEPRA with its Rs. 484 billion investment plan, the regulatory body has decided to hold off on making changes to the utility’s Transmission & Distribution Investment Plan until FY 2030.

As stated in the order, the NEPRA will select the terms of reference (ToR) for the third-party audit in addition to announcing the quarterly audit. A report on the company’s investment plan’s progress will need to be submitted every quarter.

A performance report would also be required under the investment plan by K-Electric, Karachi’s only power distribution utility, according to the statement. A secure mechanism to avoid electrical mishaps was also mandated by the authority to the utility.

In the meantime, the power distribution firm stated in a statement that the investment plan will boost the utility’s infrastructure to meet present and future demands, decrease transmission and distribution losses, and increase customer base growth.

With investments totaling Rs. 544 billion, KE has been able to more than halve its T&D losses and quadruple its customer base and power consumption since privatisation, according to the statement.

A hearing in March 2023 was held to inform stakeholders about the projects that KE management had planned for FY2024–FY2030, and the statement claimed that the plan had been presented in compliance with regulatory requirements.

In terms of investment areas including expansion, energy loss reduction, network rehabilitation, maintenance, and safety, KE claimed to have clearly defined priorities and projects for this era.

The plan calls for the construction of transmission lines and grids, which will increase the dependability of KE’s network and make it possible to take on more electricity from the National Grid.

In order to manage the city’s needs through targeted investments and tech-based interventions, CEO KE Moonis Alvi said, “We are looking to invest $2 billion in Transmission and Distribution over the next 7 years.” The work of all the stakeholders who have contributed to this trip and who will help us modernise our infrastructure and get ready for the future is something I’d like to acknowledge.

The investment plan is a supplement to the business’s Power Acquisition Programme, which outlines KE’s goal of having 30% renewable energy in its generation mix by 2030. As part of its efforts to provide everyone with access to reasonably priced energy, the firm has also been granted regulatory permission for its RFPs for 640 MW of renewable projects.

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