Day: December 24, 2021

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar has asked the Urea plants to increase the Urea supplies by 30 percent countrywide to ease down the market. Presiding the weekly fertiliser review meeting in Islamabad today, he directed Petroleum Division to assure the gas supplies to urea plants as per revised gas supply priority orders. The meeting reviewed the supply-chain situation and production trajectory of fertilisers’ plants. The industry informed that output of plants has been increased. It is evident that upto 20,000 metric ton production of urea on daily basis has been reported on an average.

Provincial departments briefed the meeting about punitive measures undertaken against hoarders and profiteers, which has resulted in significant price reduction in urea bag close to notified price of 1768 per bag. The Minister commended the efforts of industry to ensure the adequate urea supplies across the country. Furthermore, it was reiterated that government and industry will continue to maintain constant vigilance over the situation to avoid any market disturbance.

The meeting concluded with guidelines for industry to device the modalities for smooth supply chain of urea in order to address any supply anomalies as well as expedite the media campaigns for awareness of farmers to not engage in panic buying and register complaints of overcharging and hoarding in their locality.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):Energy Minister Hammad Azhar says efforts are being made to improve supply of gas in the system. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he said the Sui Southern Gas and Sui Northern Gas companies have been directed to better manage the gas supply.

The Minister said gas demand increases in the winter, and supply of gas to domestic consumers is preferred in this season. He said the gas reserves in the country decrease by nine percent every year whereas the demand has been on the rise.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Senate today (Friday) unanimously passed a resolution condemning the shameful act of mob attack on Sri Lankan citizen Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot. The resolution was moved by the Leader of the House in the Senate Shahzad Waseem.

The resolution reiterated that extremism is condemnable in all its forms and manifestations. It said the unfortunate incident of gruesome brutality reflects the mind of extremist elements that exists in our society, which has not only tarnished the peaceful image of Pakistan but also Islam.

The resolution said this brutality is sheer violation of the spirit, principles, teachings and injunctions of Islam, the practices of Holy Prophet (PUBH), moral and human values, constitution and laws of Pakistan and customs and norms of our society.

The House, in the resolution, expressed its deepest sympathy with the family of Priyantha Kumara and echoed the grief and sorrow felt and expressed at national level over this brutal and shameful incident. The resolution demanded immediate punishment of not only the culprits involved in instigating and killing of Priyantha Kumara but also those involved in similar violent incidents in the past.

In his remarks, the Chair said he will send a delegation of the senators to Sri Lanka to personally hand over the copy of this resolution to the family of Priyantha Kumara and express condolence with the family.

Winding up the discussion on a motion regarding the mob attack on Sri Lanka citizen Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said all the segments of the society strongly condemned the mob attack. He said Malik Adnan, who tried to save Priyantha Kumara, is the real face of Islam and the country. He said Malik Adnan was given an award for his brave action. The House will now meet again on Monday at 3pm.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):The senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf meets in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, in a tweet, said important organizational and policy matters will be discussed in this consultative meeting.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):In continued efforts to meet requirements of fertilisers for Rabi season, Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar presided the weekly fertiliser review meeting in afternoon. The meeting was attended by Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood, Advisor of Prime Minister on Commerce and Trade, the fertiliser industry, Provincial departments and senior officials of Petroleum Division. The meeting reviewed the supply-chain situation and production trajectory of fertiliser’s plants.

The industry informed that output of plants have been increased. It is evident that upto 20,000 metric ton production of urea on daily basis has been reported on an average. Provincial departments briefed the meeting about punitive measures undertaken against hoarders and profiteers, which has resulted in significant price reduction in urea bag close to notified price of 1768/bag.

After extensive deliberations, the Minister asked the industry to increase the urea supplies by 30% i.e about 3000-5000 metric ton countrywide to ease down the market. He stated that plants of Fatima Fertilizer based in Sindh and Agri Tech units would be operated in full capacity till January to February 2022.

He directed Petroleum Division to assure the gas supplies to urea plants as per revised gas supply priority orders. Moreover, The Minister commended the efforts industry to ensure the adequate urea supplies across the country. He noted that the pro-agricultural policies of incumbent government had not only scaled up domestic urea production but also resulted in lower urea prices as compared to the global prices; and this would reflect in increased crop production and farmer’s income.

Furthermore, it was reiterated that government and industry will continue to maintain constant vigilance over the situation to avoid any market disturbance. The meeting concluded with guidelines for industry to device the modalities for smooth supply chain of urea in order to address any supply anomalies as well as expedite the media campaigns for awareness of farmers to not engage in panic buying and register complaints of overcharging and hoarding in their locality.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, SAARC Secretary-General, who is currently visiting Pakistan, today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Imran Khan. Strongly condemning the Sialkot incident, the Prime Minister expressed condolences on the death of Mr. Priyantha Kumara and stated that there was no justification whatsoever for such acts and that all necessary steps have been taken in order to speedily bring the perpetrators to justice.

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the mutually beneficial goals and objectives embodied in the SAARC Charter, the Prime Minister underlined that SAARC can provide a conducive and beneficial atmosphere to build economic synergies which can transform the quality of life of the people of South Asia.

The Prime Minister emphasized on strengthening cooperation on issues of common interest including climate change, education, poverty alleviation, energy integration and health challenges. The Prime Minister appreciated SAARC Secretary-General’s efforts to further improve and promote SAARC processes and assured him of continued support of the Government of Pakistan in further strengthening regional cooperation under the SAARC ambit.

The Prime Minister also expressed hope to host SAARC Summit in Pakistan when artificial obstacle created in its way would be removed. The Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for his guidance on SAARC related issues and assured him that during his tenure he will make determined efforts to strengthen collaboration among member states in different fields for the benefit of all the countries of South Asian region.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):The address of Hon’ble Federal Tax Ombudsman dated: 22.11.2021 to the field formation officers of FBR was construed out of context while sharing at different mode of media. It is clarified that the office of FTO was established through FTO Ordinance 2000 to diagnose, investigate, redress and rectify any injustice done to a person through maladministration by functionaries administering tax law and to provide speedy and cost-free redressal of any person’s grievances arising out of corruption or maladministration of tax functionaries of FBR including the following:

i. Action against the law, rules and regulations

ii. Arbitrary and discriminatory behaviour/conduct

iii. Administrative excesses or misuse of powers for

iv. Corrupt or improper motives

v. Neglect, inattention, delay, incompetence, inefficiency and ineptitude, in the discharge of duties

vi. Repeated notices, unnecessary calls of attendance and prolonged hearings while deciding the cases

vii. Wilful errors in the determination of refunds, rebates or duty drawbacks

viii. Deliberately withholding of refunds, rebates or duty drawbacks

ix. Illegal methods of tax recovery

x. Avoidance of disciplinary action against an official whose order of assessment or valuation is held by a competent appellate authority to be vindictive, capricious, biased, or patently illegal.

It is once again assured that FTO Secretariat is committed to act strictly in accordance with relevant rules i.e. FTO Ordinance, 2000 to achieve its above goals and taking/recommending action against delinquent/corrupt tax officers/officials in accordance with law.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, December 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in a ferry accident in Jhalakathi district in Bangladesh. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Government of Bangladesh. At this moment of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the brotherly people of Bangladesh, says a press release received from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk