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Pakistan reports record 111 coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours

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ISLAMABAD: With 4,443 new coronavirus cases reported in Pakistan during last 24 hours, the national tally of the cases has jumped to 148,921.

According to the latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 55,878 coronavirus cases have surfaced in Punjab, 55,581 in Sindh, 18,472 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8,327 in Balochistan, 8,857 in Islamabad, 1143 in Gilgit Baltistan and 663 cases have been detected in Azad Kashmir, so far.

The death toll from the virus stands at 2,839 with record 111 deaths reported over the last twenty four hours. 25,015 corona tests were also carried out during this period.

56,390 patients have so far recovered from the disease.
Worldwide coronavirus death toll

The number of Coronavirus infection cases across the world has reached nearly eight million while the pandemic has so far claimed more than 435,000 lives.

The United States is till occupying top position with over two point one million cases and more than 117,000 deaths.

Brazil with over 867,000 cases and more than 43,000 deaths remains on second position.

‘Smart lockdown’ imposed in certain cities as COVID-19 cases jump past 148,000

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Islamabad : Certain areas of major cities across the country are undergoing a ‘smart lockdown’ on Tuesday, a day after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued a list of 20 cities identified as COVID-19 hotspots across the country.

Parts of Islamabad and Peshawar have been sealed with major areas of Lahore set to go under lockdown from midnight tonight.

“A total of 20 cities across Pakistan have been identified as having likely increase in ratio/speed of infection which needs restrictive measures for containment,” a statement by the NCOC had said on Monday.

Pakistan has reported over 148,000 cases and more than 2,800 deaths so far from the novel coronavirus.

In Islamabad, authorities have already sealed G-9/2 and G-9/3 for having over 300 cases. While I-8, I-10, Ghauri Town, Bharakhau, G6 and G7 were being monitored, the NCOC had said.

The other cities identified by the NCOC are Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Swat, Hyderabad, Sukkar, Sialkot, Gujarat, Ghotki, Larkana, Khairpur, DG Khan, Malakand and Mardan.

The NCOC shared that the TTQ strategy is aimed at identifying disease spread, focused clusters/hotspots to enable targeted lockdowns and need-driven resource optimisation at all levels.

Punjab govt imposes complete lockdown in some areas of Lahore

Addressing a press conference on Monday, provincial Health Minister Yasmin Rashid had announced that a complete lockdown would be imposed in some areas of Lahore due to rising coronavirus cases being reported in the provincial capital.

“Many areas of Lahore will be shut down 12am onwards from tomorrow (Tuesday),” said the minister. She added that the areas that will experience a complete lockdown include Shahdra, Shad Bagh, Mazang, Harbanspura, Old Lahore, Nishtar Ground, Cantt.

Meanwhile, some areas in Gulberg would also be closed completely and some societies in Lahore’s Iqbal Town as well.

“Food stores and pharmacies will remain open in these areas,” clarified the minister, adding that the areas will undergo a complete lockdown for at least two weeks. She added that these areas will be reopened after t the situation is assessed.

In Punjab, Lahore is the worst affected city and has reported over 27,000 cases.

Trump says US cutting troops in Germany over NATO spending

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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said Washington will cut down the number of troops in Germany to 25,000, due to Berlin’s failure to meet NATO’s defense spending target.

The reduction of about 9,500 troops would be a remarkable rebuke to one of the closest US trading partners and could erode faith in a pillar of postwar European security: that US forces would defend alliance members against Russian aggression.

It was not clear whether Trump’s stated intent, which first emerged in media reports on June 5, would actually come to pass given criticism from some of the president’s fellow Republicans in Congress who have argued a cut would be a gift to Russia.

Speaking to reporters, Trump accused Germany of being “delinquent” in its payments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and vowed to stick with the plan unless Berlin changed course.

“So we’re protecting Germany and they’re delinquent. That doesn’t make sense. So I said, we’re going to bring down the count to 25,000 soldiers,” Trump said, adding that “they treat us very badly on trade” but providing no details.
NATO in 2014 set a target that each of its 30 members should spend 2% of GDP on defense. Most, including Germany, do not.

Trump’s remarks were the first official confirmation of the planned troop cut, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by a senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

That official said it stemmed from months of work by the US military and had nothing to do with tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who thwarted his plan to host an in-person Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Asked about Trump’s statement, German Ambassador to the United States Emily Haber said US troops were in Europe to defend transatlantic security and to help the United States project its power in Africa and Asia.

“This is about transatlantic security but also about American security,” she told a virtual think tank audience, saying US-German security cooperation would remain strong and that her government had been informed of the decision.
Last week, sources told that German officials as well a number of US officials at the White House, State Department and Pentagon were surprised by the Wall Street Journal report and they offered explanations ranging from Trump’s pique over the G7 to the influence of Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Germany and a Trump loyalist.
“There is sure to be significant bipartisan opposition to this move in Congress, so it is possible any actual moves are significantly delayed or even never implemented,” said Phil Gordon of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank,
“This move will further erode allies’ faith in NATO and US defense guarantees,” Gordon added, saying it may also “weaken the deterrence of Russia or anyone else who might threaten a NATO member.”

Another plane carrying PPEs arrives from China

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ISLAMABAD: Another flight carrying PPEs from China to help Pakistan in fight against novel coronavirus on Tuesday landed at the Islamabad airport.

The PPEs include 15,0000 N-95 face masks and 5,00000 surgical masks.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal thanked the Chinese government for the help on behalf of people and government of Pakistan.

He said there is no shortage of testing equipment in the country in terms of coronavirus and underlined the need of oxygen more than ventilators.

“The provinces can carry out as many as coronavirus tests they want to,”

The chairman NDMA said that they have provided 250 ventilators to the provinces thus so far.

Last month, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Muhammad Afzal had also said that there is no shortfall of coronavirus testing kits and machines in Pakistan.

PM Khan directs provinces to implement smart lockdown
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday chaired a meeting to review coronavirus situation in the country including possible surge in COVID-19 cases in next few days.

Speaking during the meeting, the prime minister stressed upon the need to strictly follow precautionary measures citing that it could control the virus outbreak.

“We are taking every measure to contain COVID-19 pandemic and public cooperation will be important for successful implementation of government-formulated policy,” he said.

MPs take up key constitutional, legal, rules amendments for budget scrutiny

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 15 (DNA) – In a PILDAT organised online briefing/course on Overview of the Federal Budget 2020-2021, speakers and participating Parliamentarians highlighted the need of Parliament to assert itself in the formulation of budget policy.

Nohman Ishtiaq, an expert in the field of Public Finance, presented key ingredients of the Federal Budget 2020-2021. He shed light on the current budget policy, what are some key numbers (facts and figures), what are key challenges and most importantly, what is the role of Parliament in the budget process.

Lead Commentators included Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA and Former Federal Finance Minister, Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, MNA and Former Punjab Finance Minister and Mr. Faiz Ullah, MNA and Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs .

Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance informed the audience that he has submitted in the National Assembly the following proposed amendments that were deliberated and agreed upon in a previously organised PILDAT discussion on Parliamentary Budget Process (held online on May 21, 2020):

Amend the Public Finance Management Act 2019 to obligate the Federal Government to share Budget Strategy Paper with Standing Committees of the National Assembly and the Senate on Finance before its approval by the Federal Cabinet

Amend Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly to give powers to standing committees to review budget after its presentation in the Assembly

Amend Constitution Article 84 making it mandatory for government to seek prior Assembly approval for supplementary grants

Participants of yesterday’s briefing included lawmakers and office bearers of political parties including Mr. Attaullah Tarar, Deputy Secretary General PML-N, Mr. Haider Zaman Qureshi, Central Secretary Finance PPP, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, MNA PML-N, Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani, Assistant Secretary General PML-N, Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, PML-N, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chair, Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, PML-N, Mr. Malik Muhammad Ahmed, MPA PML-N, Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, PTI, Rana Iradat, MNA PML-N, Syed Murtaza Mahmud, MNA PPP, Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, MNA PML-N and Mr. Ahmad Kundi, Member PPP.

Other participants who joined the course included Mr. Intikhab Alam, Student, Syed Ali Abbas Shah, Web-developer, Ms. Qurat ul Ain Ismail, Political Specialist at US Consulate, Karachi, Mr. Mohsin Khawaja, Digital Marketeer and Mr. Muhammad Zaid Rafiq, Deputy Director Legislation at the National Assembly Secretariat. =DNA

Caffeinated drinks will now cost 12% more in Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 15 (DNA) – If you are fond of caffeinated drinks, you will have to pay a higher price for it because the government has proposed to increase the Federal Excise Duty (FED) from 13% to 25% on the distribution of local and imported caffeinated drinks.

Excise duties are primarily taxes on consumer spending. Businesses act as withholding agents for the government and pass these taxes onto consumers by increasing prices proportionately. This will make the caffeinated drinks more expensive for consumers, a private television channel reported Monday.

This means if you pay Rs250 for a Red Bull, you will now be paying Rs272, 25% of which will go to the government in the form of taxes.

“Caffeinated drinks are harmful to health, therefore, to reduce its consumption, FED has been increased from 13% to 25%,” Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar said on Friday while unveiling the federal budget for 2021.

The government is facing a revenue shortfall because of lower tax collection. In the latest budget it chose to tax spending as opposed to increasing income tax rates. This decision aims to discourage the consumption of caffeinated drinks, which are harmful to health, and at the same time, help the government to generate revenue. =DNA

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E-PAPER JUNE 16

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CLICK FOR E-PAPER JUNE 16, 2020

Business Community rejects luxury tax in Islamabad, calls for its withdrawal

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 15 (DNA) – Muhammad Ahmad Waheed, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that the government has proposed in the Finance Bill 2020 imposition of a luxury tax in Islamabad.

In a statement he said that the luxury tax has been imposed @ Rs.100,000/ kanal on houses with a covered area of more than 6000 square feet, Rs.200,000/ kanal on houses with a covered area of over 8000 square feet, Rs.25/square feet on farm farmhouses with a covered area between 5,000-7,000 square feet and up to  Rs.80/square feet on farmhouses with a covered area of over 10,000 square feet.

However, this luxury tax was not acceptable to all stakeholders including the business community as imposition of such a tax only in Islamabad was not justified by any standards. He, therefore, demanded of the government to reconsider the imposition of luxury tax in Islamabad Capital Territory and withdraw this decision immediately.

Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said that other major cities of the country including Karachi and Lahore have bigger houses and farmhouses than in Islamabad and if no luxury tax was imposed on them then what was the justification of imposing such a tax only in Islamabad.

He further said that business community had proposed a number of budget proposals including cut in interest rate to bring it down to five per cent, reduce sales tax to single digit level, defer receipt of loans with interest from the businesses for one year and provide relief package to SMEs.

However, the government has ignored all such suggestions of the business community in the budget, which was disappointing. He said that the Covid-19 has severely affected business and industrial units in the country which has further weakened our fragile economy and in these circumstances the government should have taken effective measures in the budget to address the major issues of businesses with the aim to revive the business activities that would have ultimately helped the economy come out of difficulties. However, he said that the government has disappointed the business class by ignoring all their suggestions in the new budget.

The ICCI President said that it was still time for the government to bring amendments in the budget document and incorporate important suggestions of the business community which would create a conducive environment for businesses and speed up the recovery of the economy.

He said that in the current scenario, instead of focusing on tax revenue, the government should focus on promoting the businesses and for this purpose take necessary steps that would bring multiple benefits to the economy as it would lead to better development of trade and industrial activities, promote new investment, create more employment opportunities, reduce poverty & unemployment and increase tax revenue of the government. =DNA

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Six die as van overturns on Faisalabad-Gojra motorway

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FAISALABAD, JUN 15 (DNA) – Van full of passengers overturned on Faisalabad-Gojra motorway after a fire broke out in the van. Van was on route to Shorkot from Sheikhupura.

According to rescue sources, traffic accident has taken place on Gojra Motorway near Pansara. A fire broke out in the passenger van due to short circuit and the driver lost control over the vehicle and van collided with a divider. Six people were killed and 10 others were seriously injured in the accident.

As soon as the accident was reported, rescue teams reached to the spot and the injured were shifted to the nearby hospitals by ambulances where they are being treated.

According to sources, the passenger van was going from Sheikhupura to Shorkot. The accident took place near Pansara Interchange. The condition of 3 of the injured has said to be critical. =DNA

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32 more succumb to COVID-19 in KPK

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PESHAWAR, JUN 15 (DNA) – At least 32 more people have died from the novel coronavirus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, bringing the COVID-19 death toll in the province to 707.

According to the statics released by the provincial health department, a total of 459 new cases of coronavirus were reported during the past 24 hours, making the total count of the infected people in the province 18,472.

“459 new cases confirmed taking total to 18,472. Highest daily death toll reported at 32 (10 Swat, 6 Peshawar, 3 Kohat, 3 Abbottabad, 2 Mardan, 2 Dir Upper, 1 each in Khyber, Swabi, Malakand, Chitral Lower, Hangu, D I Khan) taking total to 707 in KP,” the KP Health Department revealed.

The daily report further said that overall 4,692 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the province. Earlier on June 13, at least 19 more people had died from COVID-19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the COVID-19 death toll in the province to 661, media reported.

According to the provincial health department, a total of 1,035 new cases of coronavirus had been reported during the past 24 hours, making the total count of the infected people in the province 17,450.

As many as 3,849 active patients of the virus had recovered from the ailment so far including 219 new during the past 24 hours. =DNA

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