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The government has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom companies to block the mobile phone SIMs of more than 500,000 non-filers as part of a robust action against tax evasion. This move comes amid the country's financial crisis. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made public the names of these non-filers, stressing that despite having taxable income, they have not filed income tax returns. The FBR emphasized its commitment to tax compliance and stated that the SIMs of non-filers could be restored upon filing their tax returns for the year 2023. Additionally, the FBR has been granted powers to disconnect utility connections and block SIMs under Section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Last year, the FBR established district tax offices across the country to bring new taxpayers into the tax net. Discussions with the PTA have also been held to identify SIMs of under-filers, with plans to block them by April 2024. While the FBR identified two million potential tax dodgers, only 0.5 million SIMs will be blocked initially due to concerns raised by telecom companies. #Pakistan #FBR #PTA #SIMs #Telecomoperators #Nonfilers

Apple iPhone 16 series Expected release date revealed Check the Date in Comment #Apple #Iphone16 #Expecteddate #Release #Iphone16series

The price of petrol in Pakistan has been reduced by Rs5.45 per liter, bringing it down from Rs293.94 to Rs288.49 for the upcoming two weeks. This adjustment aligns with the suggestions made by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). Effective from May 1, the revised fuel prices were announced through a notification issued by the Finance Division on Tuesday. #Petrolprice #Reduced #Pakistan #Karachi

Pakistan Hotels Developers Limited (PSX: PHDL) experienced a remarkable surge of 5.5 times year-on-year in its profitability during the first quarter of 2024. The company's profit after tax soared to Rs85.38 million [EPS: Rs4.74], compared to Rs15.38 million [EPS: Rs0.85] in the same period last year (SPLY). According to the financial results, the company's top line witnessed a notable increase of 36.9% year-on-year, reaching Rs195.27 million, up from Rs142.62 million in SPLY. Although the cost of sales also rose by 14.3% year-on-year, it was proportionately less than the increase in sales, resulting in a substantial improvement in gross profit by 64.3% year-on-year to Rs105.9 million in Q1 2024. Consequently, the gross margins expanded to 54.23% compared to 45.19% in SPLY. During the review period, the company recorded an other income of Rs71.79 million in Q1 2024. On the tax front, the company incurred a significantly higher tax expense of Rs40 million, compared to Rs0.65 million paid in the corresponding period of the previous year. #Pakistan #Hotels #Profit #Hoteldevelopers #Increase

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On Monday, numerous students from a private medical college situated in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area staged a demonstration, alleging the de_ath of a female peer due to Heart Att_ack under murky circumstances. They accused the college owner and certain faculty members of enforcing stringent disciplinary measures on campus. The student's demise and ensuing protest prompted the administration to acknowledge the alle*gations and issue a notification to appease the demonstrators. Reports indicated that students gathered on a thoroughfare, chanting slogans, claiming it was the fifth such incident in recent years. They asserted that the deceased student was mentally distressed due to alle_ged mistreatment by a teacher and the management. Con*flicting reports surfaced regarding the student's de_ath, with some peers labeling it as sui_cide, citing the absence of intervention from senior management to alleviate her distress. #MedicalStudent #Stress #Heftyfines #Karachi #Pakistan

KFC has shuttered over 100 of its outlets in Malaysia, citing challenging economic conditions as the primary cause. However, local media reports suggest that a consumer boy_cott may have significantly influenced this decision. The closure of KFC outlets in Malaysia is purportedly linked to a boy_cott initiated by some consumers due to the brand's alle*ged connections, amidst the ongoing con*flict. This shutdown coincides with a period where many Muslims in the region are actively avoiding Western brands associated in response to the con*flict. While QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, the company operating KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in Malaysia, has not officially confirmed the number of affected outlets, employees have been offered transfers to busier locations. #KFC #Malaysia #Outlets #Closed

In a powerful display of solidarity with the oppre*ssed Pàles-tìnìàn Muslims, thousands of families gathered at Blue World City for the groundbreaking ceremony of Al-Aqsa Museum - life size replica of Al-Aqsa Masjid as museum. The event aimed to illuminate the Islamic and historical importance of Jèrù-sàlèm, while also casting a spotlight on the ongoing Is-ràèlì àtrò_cit_iès devas_tating Gà-zà. The stark realities of Pàles-tìnìàn suffering were portrayed to all attendees, emphasizing the urgent need for unity and support within the Muslim Ummah. This powerful depiction highlighted the pressing call for solidarity and collective action in the face of adversity. Reaffirming Pakistan's steadfast backing for their be_sieged Muslim brothers and sisters in Gà-zà, Blue World City Management underscored the Al-Aqsa Museum as a means to amplify the voices of the oppr*essed on the world stage. #Pakistan #Blueworldcity #Masjid

Pakistan's historic lunar mission, ICUBE-Q, is scheduled for launch this week on May 3 aboard China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, following India's Chandrayaan-3 moon landing last year. Developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco, ICUBE-Q carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. Integrated with the Chang’e6 mission, ICUBE-Q is part of China's sixth lunar exploration mission, aiming to collect samples from the moon's far side for research purposes. The mission is significant for Pakistan as it will deploy the iCube-Q CubeSat satellite, which is characterized by its small size and modular design, offering opportunities for scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives in space exploration. CubeSats enable access to space for a broader range of users and promote collaboration within the space community by serving as platforms for testing new technologies and concepts. #Pakistan #Moonmission #Satellite #Historicmission #Launched

HBL has greenlit an equity investment of up to Rs 6 billion in its subsidiary, HBL Microfinance Bank Limited. This move, in accordance with all regulatory requirements and approved by HBL’s shareholders, is anticipated to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of HBL Microfinance Bank. HBL Microfinance Bank is predominantly owned by HBL (79.92%), with additional stakes held by the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (12.05%), the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (4.46%), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (3.57%). The injection of funds is expected to bolster the operational strength of HBL Microfinance Bank, facilitating its ability to serve its clientele effectively. #HBL #Pakistan #investment