Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan and other leaders on Monday called on US Ambassador Donald Blome in the federal capital, telling him that the PTI would not tolerate foreign interference in the country's internal affairs.

The US envoy, through the Foreign Office, requested the meeting, the PTI leader said, adding that the political officer was also present during the meeting.

The crucial meeting took place after PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan had earlier blamed Washington for overthrowing his government in April 2022.  He had alleged that Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu had sought his removal in a meeting with the then Pakistan ambassador to the US Asad Majeed.

Talking to journalists after his meeting with the US ambassador today, Omar said that matters related to military courts and cases against the PTI founder and other leaders of the party were discussed with the US envoy.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser and Raud Hassan were part of the PTI delegation.

Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar emphasized that those existing taxpayers, who are fulfilling their national obligations, should not be burdened with new laws.

 He stressed that legislative efforts should focus on individuals outside the tax net.

The LCCI president made these remarks during a meeting with Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Amjad Farooq, at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting was attended by LCCI Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry, Commissioners Inland Revenue Sahibzada Umer Razzaq, Nauman Malik, LCCI Executive Committee Members, and other officials.

Kashif Anwar highlighted the economic challenges faced by the business community and underscored the need to provide facilities and relief to existing taxpayers. He expressed concerns regarding recent government-issued SROs, including SROs 457(I)/2024, 350(I)/2024, and 1842(I)/2024, which have posed difficulties for businesses.

Regarding SRO 457(I)/2024, Anwar criticized the requirement for traders and shopkeepers to submit monthly advance tax under the Tajir Dost scheme. He proposed that advance tax collection should occur annually or bi-annually instead of monthly, as this would alleviate the burden on shopkeepers, reduce legal fees, and streamline business operations.

The LCCI president also questioned the imposition of tax based on rental value, suggesting that tax collection should be linked to commercial electricity meters' actual consumption, with incentives such as audit exemptions and reduced tax rates provided to registered retailers under the Tajir Dost Scheme.

Addressing SRO 1842(I)/2024, Anwar recommended increasing the threshold for mandatory integration with the POS system from one lakh rupees to five lakh rupees for retailers. He advocated for exemptions for single-shop retailers from POS integration requirements.

Anwar affirmed LCCI's support for the government's initiatives to formalize the economy and broaden the tax base, stressing the importance of stakeholder engagement in policy formulation.

In response, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Amjad Farooq, assured that the registration process for the Tajir Dost scheme is simplified, with teams actively engaging traders. He clarified that registration under the scheme by June 30 will not incur liabilities, and registrants will receive a 25% advance tax discount. He acknowledged concerns regarding amnesty under the scheme and pledged clarity upon the bill's passage.

Farooq emphasized the FBR rate's use for valuation and expressed willingness to review the provision for monthly advance tax submission based on LCCI's input. He reassured that efforts are underway to minimize harassment and ensure smooth implementation of the scheme, citing significant voluntary returns filed in RTO Lahore this year.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the assistant commissioners to implement the merit to ensure ease and facilitation in the lives of the people.

“Serving the public is not just a duty but the foremost responsibility,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her meeting with the bureaucrats appointed across the province on Monday.

The Punjab CM said that the responsibility is not assigned but must be taken voluntarily.

She said, “Young officers must prove themselves through performance and respect for public representatives must be upheld but don’t accept the wrong thing of any one including the chief minister,”.

The CM asked them to ensure writ of the government but human dignity must be preserved.

She made it clear that no illegal activities should be tolerated, with the directives that all the matters including education, health, and price control should be given due attention.

Maryam Nawaz said that assistant commissioners should ensure the sale of bread at Rs16 and naan at Rs20 in their respective areas.

“Artificial inflation should be reduced through the price control mechanism, and the Provincial Enforcement Authority should assist in various tasks of the district administration,” she added.

The CM also expressed her desire not to see broken streets, accumulating water, and dirty surroundings in any area of Punjab. She stated that monitoring of treatment facilities in hospitals should be ensured, the officers should keep their doors open for the people and listen to their concerns.

Furthermore, the Punjab Chief Minister stated that her assistant commissioners are like her eyes, ears, and arms. Pervez Rashid, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary, and other officials were also present.