Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revealed a massive revenue loss of 2.13 crore rupees due to glitches in its Pral system. The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) sub-committee held a meeting in Islamabad, where the audit officials disclosed that incorrect customs duty rates and unauthorized PC-1 headings were included in the system, resulting in the loss of revenue. The Islamabad Customs Collectorate revealed that the wrong classification of imported goods had led to the loss.
The audit officials stated that both the customs and PRA-AL staff are jointly responsible for the incorrect feeding. FBR officials briefed that Pakistan and China have a trade volume of 17 to 18 billion dollars, with over 5,500 items being traded between the two countries. The officials admitted that a significant mistake was made in calculating the revenue loss, as the amount was too small to be considered in the context of the massive trade volume.
During the meeting, PAC member Bilal Khan Mandokhail asked how many such mistakes had occurred. FBR Chairman Shahid Akhtar replied that for the first time, a customs officer had been arrested directly. Mandokhail stated that inquiries in Pakistan rarely yield results, as the common practice is to either retire or dismiss the accused.
FBR officials stated that there are 12.58 million recoveries and 8.77 million remaining recoveries. The PAC directed the FBR to confirm the recoverable amount and recover the remaining amount. MQM leader Mustafa Kamal demanded that the PM form an independent and empowered national commission. He criticized the Sindh government, saying that every Punjab CM used to visit Lahore, while Sindh’s CM used to visit Karachi. He claimed that there was no hope for the Sindh government, adding that corruption and bribery were rampant in the system.
The Sindh CM replied that a special committee had been formed to investigate the Radio Pakistan case. TLP leader Mustafa Noor Khan Khokhar stated that Pakistan could not negotiate with Kashmir. A hospital spokesperson stated that the best medical facilities were being provided to pregnant women and children. The US Embassy announced the launch of the Liberty Bell campaign in Islamabad to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The campaign was inaugurated by US Deputy Ambassador Natalie Baker at the Lincoln Corner in Islamabad.
The PM returned to London after attending the World Economic Forum, where an operation is underway to search for people buried under the rubble at the Glades Plaza. Machine-driven waste removal has been temporarily halted. A cold wave is sweeping through Karachi, with northwesterly winds blowing at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. Residents are stuck in traffic for hours due to severe cold and snow-covered roads.
A statement released by the Ministry of Finance praised the Gates Foundation for its role in eradicating polio in Pakistan. It emphasized the need for close coordination between relevant institutions to implement health programs effectively.
A cold wave has affected road traffic in various districts, with light to heavy rainfall reported in different cities, including Sindh and Punjab. A trader leader said that the market association had been asked to provide maintenance for Rs. 245 per square foot, despite which the administration had not been done. A district court in Sargodha sentenced a woman to life imprisonment for murdering her husband.
A deputy commissioner in East district shut down an illegal petrol pump on the University of Karachi’s land, which had been previously ordered to be closed. Former US President Donald Trump stated that he would continue to work with the UN and other countries on the Board of Peace.
