Illicit cigarettes trade remains 18% in Pakistan on May 23, 2023The share of illicit cigarettes trade in Pakistan is recorded around 18 percent which officials said could be reduced further by ensuring implementation of the track and trace system across the board. Many independent research studies suggest that multinational companies have been trying to exaggerate the volume of illicit cigarettes in the country to 40 […]
Govt expects Rs 200bn in taxes from tobacco industry on May 22, 2023A recent study says the government is expecting to collect around 200 billion rupees in taxes from the tobacco industry this year after the tax hike. In the last fiscal year, the tax collection from the tobacco industry was recorded 148 billion rupees. Out of 31 million adult tobacco users in Pakistan, one in every […]
China, Pakistan celebrate 72nd anniversary of diplomatic ties on May 22, 2023On the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, Chinese Embassy held the reception on “China-Pakistan Unbreakable Friendship and the Bright Future” on May 19. H.E. Ms. Pang Chunxue, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, the chief guest, H.E. Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, […]
Govt rejects reports IMF concerned about funds use for ‘political purposes’ on May 21, 2023Certain sections of the national press have reported that the delay in signing of the IMF’s agreement because the IMF wants assurance from the Ministry of Finance that the funds will not be utilized for political purpose. It is clarified that this news is false and unfounded as IMF has never raised any such concern […]
Govt urged to increase taxes on cigarettes on May 21, 2023Health activists and civil society organizations have demanded of the government to increase taxes on cigarettes. Taxation is a key revenue source for any government and taxing non-essential items such as tobacco leads not only to a cut in budget deficit but also in the expenditure on diseases. Sanaullah Ghumman, from PANAH, has long been […]
China, Central Asia must ‘fully unleash’ potential on May 20, 2023Xi Jinping called on China and Central Asia to “fully unleash” their potential in trade, economic and infrastructure cooperation on Friday, as he wrapped up a landmark summit with heads of state from the strategically vital region. The Chinese leader is hosting the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at a summit in […]
Track and trace system needs to be modernized on May 20, 2023The track and trace system that Pakistan has put in place is supposed to cut down any possibilities of illicit trade of cigarettes in Pakistan. However, multinational cigarette companies have invented modern methods to carry on this trade across borders. Hence, there is a need to put in place more stringent mechanisms to curb this […]
UK government aims for a smoke-free country with new ‘swap to stop’ scheme on May 20, 2023The UK government is launching a “swap to stop” scheme to make the country “smoke free” by offering vape starter kits to one million smokers. Pregnant women will be given up to £400 to quit smoking. The scheme is expected to cost around £45M over two years, and funding will come from the Department of […]
Chairman WAPDA visits Tarbela 5th Ext; reviews progress on project on May 20, 2023Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), during his visit to Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project, was briefed that electricity generation from the project would start in 2025. Mr. Masood Ahmed from World Bank also accompanied the Chairman. GM Tarbela Dam Zakir Ateeq, PD Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and representatives of the Consultants […]
Imposing FED on cigarettes a step in right direction on May 19, 2023The government has taken a step in the right direction imposing FED on cigarettes as it will not only generate an additional revenue, but also bring down smoking in the society, states Capital Calling, a network of academic researchers and professionals. It appreciated the government for the FED increase, urging it to hold ground against […]