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Prof Zaman for heeding IMF proposal for tobacco tax reforms

It is estimated that approximately 8% of Pakistan's population are smokers, making Pakistan one of the most susceptible country to the negative effects of cigarette consumption.

Published by Noor Fatima

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended implementing a uniform tax structure on the tobacco industry to increase revenue.

The report titled 'Pakistan - Tax Policy Diagnostic and Reform Option' emphasizes the need for single tier taxation on both foreign and domestic cigarette manufacturers in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the report suggests that recent tax increases on cigarettes have resulted in a decrease in smoking rate by 20 to 25%.

Professor Muhammad Zaman, the founding chairman of the School of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University and the head of Zaman Research Center, supports the IMF's recommendations and highlights the importance of aligning cigarette taxes with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is estimated that approximately 8% of Pakistan's population are smokers, making Pakistan one of the most susceptible country to the negative effects of cigarette consumption.

Professor Zaman emphasizes that protecting public health should be a priority for policymakers and implementing the IMF's proposed tax measures on tobacco products can help reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with smoking.

He also calls for increased research and advocacy efforts to address the social implications of smoking. He appreciates Capital Calling, an Islamabad based think tank, whose report IMF has referred to laying down its recommendations for tax reforms.

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ECP reserves verdict on plea of recounting in NA-70  

He said that Hamid Raza’s 13,000 lead has been changed into defeat.

Published by Qurrat Tul Ain

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Islamabad: Election commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved verdict on plea of recounting in NA-70 the constituency of national assembly.

According to the details, a three-member commission headed by chief election commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case.

Member election commission Ikram Ullah Khan inquired that if Hamid Raza was arrested then how he submitted the plea to returning officer (RO) in person at 2am.

Hamid Raza’s lawyer stated that in accordance with the form-45, Hamid Raza got victory in NA-70 and police apprehended him from RO’s office while he was going to polling station. During that moment, form-40 was issued.

He said that Hamid Raza’s 13,000 lead has been changed into defeat.

On this chief election commissioner remarked that you have wrote in the plea that Hamid Raza was standing outside the RO’s office whole night on February 8 and now you are saying that Hamid Raza was apprehended by the police.

However, the ECP reserved the verdict on plea of recounting in NA-70.       

 

 

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Punjab assembly approves budget of financial year 2023-24

In house, 40 wealth demands have been presented.

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Lahore: Punjab assembly has approved budget of financial year 2023-24.

According to the details, Punjab assembly’s session was started for the delay of one and a half hour. The session was chaired by speaker Malik Ahmed Khan. The voting and arguments’ procedure began on wealth demands and yearly budget in assembly’s session.

In house, 40 wealth demands have been presented. Apart from that seven Tehreek of deduction have been presented in Punjab assembly.

Opposition began the arguments against the wealth demands. In session, Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) leader Imtiaz Sheik taunted the women on giving the seats in charity on this the noise started in house.

Imtiaz Sheikh addressed the speaker and stated that you make them sit these women on the charity seats. On this the bitter words exchanged between both leaders.

Later then the opposition members diced around the speaker. On this moment the house was echoed with the slogans of Shamim and both sides’ members stood on seats.    

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