The Punjab government has taken a significant step by amending its agricultural income tax (AIT) law, aligning the tax rates for individuals and businesses with the federal income tax rates. The newly passed bill also brings earnings from commercial or “income-generating” livestock under the purview of AIT, while eliminating certain exemptions that were previously enjoyed by farmers with landholdings under 12.5 acres or absentee landowners—unless their annual income is below the tax threshold of Rs600,000. Additionally, the amendments introduce tougher penalties for tax defaulters. These changes aim to create a more equitable tax system, close major loopholes for tax evasion,…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
**ISLAMABAD**: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) held a consultation session on Tuesday to discuss its new framework for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), aimed at creating a “secure environment” for the IT and e-commerce sectors in Pakistan, according to a press statement. VPNs are commonly used worldwide to access content that is blocked or restricted in certain countries. In Pakistan, VPNs are often used to access platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and other restricted websites. The announcement follows reports from across the country of “restricted access” to VPN services, coupled with poor internet connectivity. Digital rights activists have criticized the…
**ISLAMABAD**: The Interior Ministry has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block “illegal VPNs” across the country, citing their use by terrorists to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions, as well as their role in accessing “pornographic and blasphemous content.” Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are commonly used worldwide to bypass internet restrictions and access content that may be blocked or unavailable in certain regions. In Pakistan, VPNs have been used to access websites like X (formerly Twitter), which are restricted in the country. On Wednesday, the PTA announced that it would restrict VPN usage to curb access to pornographic…
**KARACHI**: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has rejected the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee’s (NC) response to concerns outlined in a previous letter, describing it as inadequate and lacking in substance. In a letter sent on Friday, the PSB requested a more comprehensive and detailed reply to the issues raised in its original communication dated November 11, 2024. The NC had responded on November 13, but the PSB found the reply unsatisfactory, as it failed to directly address the specific concerns and instead relied on broad generalizations. In its initial letter, the PSB had highlighted several procedural irregularities, including…
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s legendary captain, has urged his teammates to stay “focused” on securing a victory as they prepare for their crucial UEFA Nations League clash with Poland on Friday. The 39-year-old forward, who plays for Al Nassr, is determined to lead his side to a spot in the summer semi-finals. Ahead of the match at the Estadio do Dragao in Lisbon, Ronaldo shared an uplifting message on social media, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and concentration. Posting a series of photos of himself smiling and training with his teammates, he captioned the images: “Focused on the win!” Despite a…
Paraguay claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Argentina in Asunción on Thursday, with Antonio Sanabria scoring a stunning bicycle kick and Omar Alderete adding a second-half header to seal the win in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Argentina took an early lead in the 11th minute when Enzo Fernandez delivered a long pass to Lautaro Martinez, whose powerful shot was initially ruled offside. However, after a VAR review, the goal was awarded. Paraguay nearly equalized moments later when Gustavo Gomez’s header from a corner struck the crossbar. The hosts responded quickly, with Gustavo Velazquez crossing for Sanabria, who produced…
**LONDON:** Pakistan’s military has categorically ruled out the possibility of negotiating or striking a deal with Imran Khan, the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to senior military sources quoted by *The Guardian*. The statement comes after Khan, in a recent interview, expressed his willingness to engage in talks with the military leadership, despite his ongoing imprisonment. In a series of responses sent through his legal team, Khan confirmed that he had not had any direct contact with the military since his arrest in August 2023. However, he indicated that he would not rule out negotiating a deal with…
**Peshawar:** Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, former senator and prominent political figure from the Awami National Party (ANP), has passed away at the age of 84, confirmed ANP leader Samar Haroon Bilour on social media platform X. In a post, Samar Haroon Bilour wrote, “Brother of Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Shaheed Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Aziz Ahmed Bilour, and father of Ghazanfar Bilour, [former] Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour has passed away.” Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, the deceased’s brother and senior ANP leader, confirmed the passing, explaining that Ilyas Bilour had been suffering from kidney disease and had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in…
**RAWALPINDI:** At least six terrorists were killed and four others injured in an attempted attack on a security check post in the Kalat district of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported. The Pakistan Army’s media wing stated that on the night of November 15-16, 2024, a group of terrorists launched an assault on a security forces’ post in the Shah-e-Mardan area of Kalat District. The statement highlighted the bravery of the troops who engaged the attackers, resulting in the death of six terrorists and injuries to four others. “During the fierce exchange of fire, seven soldiers made the ultimate…
**RAWALPINDI:** At least six terrorists were killed and four others injured in an attempted attack on a security check post in the Kalat district of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported. The Pakistan Army’s media wing stated that on the night of November 15-16, 2024, a group of terrorists launched an assault on a security forces’ post in the Shah-e-Mardan area of Kalat District. The statement highlighted the bravery of the troops who engaged the attackers, resulting in the death of six terrorists and injuries to four others. “During the fierce exchange of fire, seven soldiers made the ultimate…
