Day: December 6, 2021

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Pakistan urges to ensure safety of minorities, holy sites in India

Pakistan has urged the international community, United Nations and other world organizations to put pressure on India to abide by its obligations under International law to protect Muslim places of worship from Hindutva extremism.

In his statement on Monday, on the eve of tragic demolition of Babri Masjid by BJP-RSS zealots, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said world bodies should ensure effective safety of all minorities and their holy sites in India.

He said this day is a stark reminder of the hysteria and hatred exhibited in India against Muslims and their heritage 29 years ago with state complicity.

Asim Iftikhar said the heart-wrenching scenes of the razing of the Babri Mosque are still fresh not only in the minds of Muslims across the globe but also in the collective conscience of the international community.

He said the defective Indian Supreme Court judgement of November 2019 and the subsequent shameless acquittal of criminals, mainly BJP leaders who had presided over the demolition in public glare, is testimony to India's fast descent into majoritarianism and Hindutva extremism.

The spokesperson said Pakistan calls upon India to take immediate steps to halt the illegal construction of a temple at the place of Babri Masjid, reconstruct the Babri Masjid at its original site and ensure the safety and protection of mosques and Islamic holy sites in India.

He said meaningful steps must be taken to ensure safety, security and religious freedom for all minorities especially Muslims in India.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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YouTube Adds “Listening Controls” for Android and iOS users

Android and iOS versions of the YouTube app have received a new update that brings persistent listening controls to all videos. The update is currently only available to Premium subscribers.

Listening Controls can be accessed via the settings menu on most videos. Although, for some videos, YouTube automatically suggests launching “Listening Controls” via a pop-up.

The standard set of controls are available with the standard play, pause, and previous or next video buttons. Buttons for 10 seconds rewind and forward are also available with the upgrade.

The control page includes the like, save, and speed playback controls.

Once active, Listening Controls are persistent and remain on top, even if the user switches to a new video

The video streaming website first tested the ‘Listening Controls’ back in May that looked to bring a dedicated music player to the main app for its Premium subscribers.

We’ll have to wait and see if YouTube adds these controls for regular users down the line.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Imported Tire Prices Witness a 25% Increase in 2021

The prices of imported goods have risen at an exponential rate due to the plummeting value of the local currency. A recent report from Dawn has revealed that the prices of imported tires have surged by a massive 25 percent since January.

The prices of Bridgestone or Good Year tires used in mini passenger cars (155/65R13) have gone up to Rs. 15,000 in December, compared to Rs. 9,000 in January. Likewise, Bridgestone tires for subcompact and compact passenger cars (175/70R13 and 185/65R14) have increased from Rs. 8,100 up to Rs. 13,150.

Prices of Chinese tires for subcompact and compact cars (175/70R13 and 185/65R14) are now Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 8,500, compared to Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 6,500 earlier this year, whereas Dunlop tires for the same categories of cars (175/70R13 and 185/65R14) are priced at Rs. 8,950 and Rs. 10,750 as opposed to Rs. 7,350 and Rs. 9,275.

The prices of locally produced tires have witnessed an increase of 8 to 11 percent, the report added.

Pakistan Tire Importers and Dealers Association (PTIDA) Chairman, Ashraf Dharani, slammed the government’s stance, as per which, the imported tires are viewed as luxury items, whereas the rest of the world regards them as essential items.

He informed that the government has already increased the Regulatory Duty (RD) on imported tires, making them more expensive for the importers as well as the customers. He added that the increase in import taxes has created a tire shortage in the market, which has also driven up the prices of used (non-damaged) tires exponentially.

While showing appreciation for the locally produced tire market which covers a fair chunk of the local demand, Dharani stated that the local industry doesn’t have enough capacity to meet the rising demand for tires. Consequently, the traders are likely to resort to smuggling in order to keep up with the demand and keep their businesses afloat, he lamented.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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FBR Responds to Calls of Suspending Revised Property Valuation Rates

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not suspended the property valuation rates of immovable properties recently issued for 40 cities of Pakistan, nor has it constituted any committee in this regard.

Talking to Propakistani, an FBR spokesperson said the tax machinery did not revoke its recently issued SRO regarding the revised valuation of immovable properties.

It is worth mentioning here that the recent revision in the rates of property valuation by FBR triggered criticism from various stakeholders.

When contacted to share his viewpoint on the subject, former Finance Secretary, Abdul Wajid Rana, said it was as per the conditions set forth by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that the government had revised property valuation in various cities.

He explained that a lot of black money went into the real estate sector, and this was the only way the government could have a check on black money circulation in the real estate sector. He said there was a fine line between the district collectorate (DC) value and market value of properties when he managed the property valuation as Sindh’s Finance Secretary in 2011, as compared to the prevailing regulations and rates.

He revealed that FBR, as per the FATF conditions, initially started the practice of revising rates in 2017, adding that the property rates had been revised three times during the last four years. “However, with today’s valuation rates, the government will generate revenues in terms of capital gain tax, stamp duties, which in contrast with popular opinion, is a good decision on part of the government,” he opined.

When asked that the All Pakistan Realtors Association (APRA) was calling this increase unrealistic and damaging to the real estate industry, Wajid Rana was of the view that some of the property evaluation rates in various cities were indeed unrealistic, and the tax machinery should consider concerns of relevant stakeholders.

Prior to the aforesaid developments, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs had recommended FBR to revoke the recently issued SRO regarding the revised valuation of immovable properties for 40 cities.

The FBR officials said the tax machinery was standing by its stance as a tax regulator and it looked forward to regulating the real estate ecosystem in accordance with current economic requirements.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Cold, dry weather expected in most parts country

Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts the country during the next twelve hours.

Light rain with snowfall over hills is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and its surrounding hilly areas.

Smog and fog is likely to intensify in plain areas of Punjab during morning and night hours.

Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning:

Islamabad seven degree centigrade, Lahore twelve, Karachi nineteen, Peshawar nine, Quetta one, Gilgit, Murree and Muzaffarabad four degree centigrade.

According to Met Office forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy with chances of light rain and snow is expected in Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramula, cloudy with chances of light rain and snow is expected in Srinagar while dry/shallow fog and mist during morning hours in Jammu.

Temperature recorded this morning: Srinagar and Pulwama two degree centigrade, Jammu twelve, Leh minus five, Anantnag and Shopian three and Baramula four degree centigrade.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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