Day: April 19, 2024

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to impose a standardized sales tax on services provided by restaurants and wedding halls across the province. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Fouzia Iqbal, Director General of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA), and attended by Muzzammil Aslam, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Finance. The DG KPRA provided a detailed briefing to the CM's advisor regarding the transition of sales tax on services from a percentage-based system to a fixed regime, particularly focusing on sectors such as wedding halls and beauty parlors. Wedding halls and beauty parlors will be categorized based on their sizes and business capacities, with fixed rates of sales tax set for each category. The meeting also decided that traders' associations and chambers of commerce will be consulted, and all service providers will be required to register with KPRA. Muzzammil Aslam added that a 2 percent rebate will be offered to customers who use credit cards for paym ents at restaurants and hotels registered as companies with KPRA under the 15% tax bracket. 'We are implementing these measures to bridge the trust gap and to support our taxpayers and service providers,' the advisor said. He further stated that these initiatives are directed towards formalizing the economy and providing convenience to both taxpayers and service providers. Source: Pro Pakistani

Azerbaijan Airlines made history with its inaugural direct flight from Baku to Karachi, landing at Jinnah International Airport last night. This marks the beginning of regular air operations by Azerbaijan Airlines, with flights scheduled to operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Khazar Farhadov, was present to greet the inaugural flight upon its arrival in Karachi. Alongside the arrival from Baku, the first flight from Karachi to Baku is also scheduled to depart tonight, marking the beginning of a new chapter in air travel between the two cities. Azerbaijan Airlines recently revealed its plan to expand flight operations and network within Pakistan. The airline, also called AZAL, expressed its intention to 'improve connectivity between the two nations' with this initiative. AZAL announced that Karachi would be the third Pakistani city to have direct flights, joining Islamabad and Lahore, following the successful launch of flights from Baku. Source: Pro Pakistani

By-elections on 21 vacant seats of National and Provincial Assemblies will be held tomorrow. According to Election Commission of Pakistan, polling will be held on five National Assembly seats, twelve Punjab Assembly seats, two seats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and two seats of Balochistan Assembly. Polling will start at 8:00 in the morning and it will continue till 5:00 pm without any break. Source: Radio Pakistan

Renowned for her activism, poetry, and journalism, Abeda Iqbal Azad continues to leave an indelible mark on Urdu literature, even twelve years after her passing on April 20, 2012. Her legacy as a progressive thinker, feminist, and literary figure has only grown over time, as her words resonate with readers and poets alike. Abeda Iqbal Azad's work is celebrated for its profound impact on social consciousness, particularly regarding women's rights. Through her poetry and prose, she fearlessly addressed issues of gender inequality, societal injustices, and the human condition. Her writings served as a powerful tool for advocating for social change and empowerment, inspiring countless individuals to challenge the status quo. Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Abeda Iqbal Azad began her literary journey at a young age. Despite facing societal expectations and challenges, she pursued her passion for writing with unwavering determination. After relocating to Karachi following her marriage to Iqbal Azad Syed, she continue d to enrich Urdu literature with her poignant poetry and insightful journalism. Abeda's poetry, collected in works such as 'Aasman,' captivated readers with its emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Her verses resonated with themes of love, nature, and the human experience, offering solace and inspiration to those who encountered her work. Notably, her poem 'Jirga' condemned honor killings and underscored her commitment to feminist ideals. In addition to her poetry, Abeda Iqbal Azad made significant contributions as a journalist. Her columns, including 'Aaina' and 'Chehre,' provided a platform for voicing marginalized perspectives and shedding light on pressing social issues. Her fearless reporting and incisive analysis earned her widespread acclaim and established her as a respected voice in Pakistani journalism. Furthermore, Abeda's feature series 'Dateline Dhaka' offered a poignant reflection on the historic events of the 1971 Dhaka fall, offering invaluable insights into the socio-political landscape of the time. Her translations of renowned authors such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Khalil Gibran further enriched Urdu literature and expanded its global reach. Today, Abeda Iqbal Azad's literary legacy continues to inspire writers, activists, and readers worldwide. Her words remain as relevant and impactful as ever, serving as a beacon of hope and resilience in an ever-changing world. As we commemorate her life and work, we honor her enduring contributions to literature, feminism, and social justice. Source: Pro Pakistani

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan's private budget airline, is set to launch a new non-stop route between Islamabad and Muscat, Oman from May 10th. Initially, the service will operate twice a week. Fly Jinnah's spokesperson expressed pride in the airline's achievements, citing the successful launch of international flights linking Islamabad and Lahore to Sharjah. Now, with the introduction of the Islamabad-Muscat route, Fly Jinnah aims to strengthen its global footprint and provide passengers with expanded travel choices. 'This expansion aligns with our commitment to providing our customers with new options for affordable and value driven air travel domestically and internationally,' the spokesperson stated. Fly Jinnah's modern fleet of five Airbus A320 aircraft currently serves five major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta. The addition of the Islamabad-Muscat route will expand the airline's international destinations, complementing the existing flight route to Sharjah, UAE. Sour ce: Pro Pakistani