KARACHI: Both pilots were killed and several people were injured when a small plane crashed in Karachi’s Baldia Town. The crash took place in Baldia Town’s Yousuf Goth neighbourhood injuring several on ground. Witnesses said the plane had exploded mid-air and the rubble from the crash was spread far and wide. Three buses were alight as a result and a number of nearby buildings suffered structural damage. Rescue teams and fire tenders had reached the site of the crash which took place near a bus terminal in the area.
Football World Cup
ALFREDO LEONI
To Prove Huge Image Booster For Brazil
Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni talks to DNA and Centreline
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Mr. Alfredo Leoni, Ambassador of Brazil talked to Centreline and DNA exclusively about the upcoming football world cup, starting from June 12. The ambassador gave a detailed account of preparations and various security measures that the Brazilian government has taken. It is the second time the Brazil is hosting this mega event. Here are excerpts from the interview.
BEYOND MOUNTAINS
UAE Projects in KPK, Tribal Areas Welcomed
Syed Fakhar KaKaKhel
There were times when Arabs were often criticized by progressive Pashtun circles in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas for supporting only the traditional religious mind set in the region. But much has changed right now about that perception. Right now there are dozens of projects related to health, education and water supply both completed and ongoing which had a remarkable impact on local population from every school of thought. All these projects are funded by United Arab Emirates with the help of Pak Army.
Why is Libya lawless?
Farouk Chothia
No-one – that is the problem. There are lots of different armed groups – up to 1,700 – with many different goals. But money and power is a common denominator. During the uprising, anyone with a gun could command respect and some do not want that to change. Instead, they seem more determined than ever to gain more territory and impose their will. They are also ideologically divided – some of them are Islamists, others are secessionists and yet others are liberals. Furthermore, the militias are split along ethnic and regional lines, making it a combustible mix. Some fear Libya could descend into civil war.
Pakistan’s multiple crises
Imtiaz Gul
An international conference at Oxford University on May 10 looked at the possible opportunities that may arise out of the multiple crises that Pakistan currently faces. During proceedings and presentations, the 27 speakers — including those from Pakistan, the US, Germany, Canada and the UK — dilated on the security, economy, sociology and foreign relations of Pakistan. Much of the talk centred around the crisis of governance, insecurity, energy issues, ethnic and nationalistic conflicts and Pakistan’s policy discord with India, the US and its skewed policy towards Afghanistan. Ironically, even relatively optimistic speakers predicated their projections on several ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’.
Pak-India relations: well begun is half done
Ostensibly, it was not an easy decision for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take part in the swearing in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. However he finally made it. A decision that virtually caused ripples within the right wing mindset of the country that wanted Prime Minister Nawaz to have certain guarantees on core issues confronting the both countries from the Indian leadership before undertaking the visit. Undoubtedly, those who opposed prime minister’s visit had a valid case and rightful apprehensions. Nevertheless it was perhaps too early to take hardcore standpoint, especially when the incumbent Indian prime minister had not spoken his mind, in detail, in terms of his country’s future course of action, with particular reference to relations with the neighboring countries including Pakistan.
Used vehicles: duty collection tumbles to Rs7bn in July-April
KARACHI: Import of used vehicles continued to show negative trend as only 17,968 units were imported in engine capacity range of 660cc to above 3,000cc including jeeps (4×4) in July-April 2013-14 as compared to 41,281 units in the same period last fiscal year. The government’s customs duty collection from the above imports plunged to Rs7 billion from Rs15bn collected in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Only 13,090 cars up to 1,000cc under various schemes were landed as compared to 23,779 units. From 1,001cc to 1,300cc, only 28 cars were imported as compared to 2,186 units.
Textile value-added sector opposes sales tax on exports
KARACHI: The value-added textile sector has taken strong exception to the government proposal of imposing 5.5 per cent sales tax on its exports in the budget 2014-15. Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea) Zonal Chairman South Arshad Aziz, Towel Manufacturers Association (TMA) Senior Vice-Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Malik, Pakistan Cloth Merchants’ Association (PCMA) Chairman Abid Chinoy and Irfan Z Bawany of Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) talking to DNA on Saturday said that the move would be disastrous and further put them at disadvantage against regional rivals.
Seven FBR officials promoted despite not filing tax returns
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is all set to present the second budget by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The finance bill, which will be tabled in parliament next week, is expected to include Rs535 billion in additional taxes and other administrative measures. The ambitious new tax measures revolve around three pillars — documenting and taxing the rich, raising the existing withholding tax rates for non-compliant taxpayers, and increasing the income tax share in overall revenue collection.
