Punjab finds itself in the quicksand of debt
Current and former administrations appear to be shifting blame for the crisis
The government’s debt is growing at a double-digit pace due to its inability to enhance revenue at rates that are sufficient to absorb growing current expenditures. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
While Punjab’s spiraling debt appears to be showing no signs of going away, both current and former administrations seem to be sparing no opportunity to pin the blame on each other.
“Loans were acquired for development projects when they should have been taken for projects that benefit the common man,” said Dr. Salman Shah, who serves as adviser to the chief minister for economic affairs. Taking a pot shot at the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) administration, Shah said: “Projects like the Orange Line Train (OLT) have not made any meaningful contributions.” For the OLT, which has been touted as former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif’s pet project, experts sai
National
January 30, 2021
ISLAMABAD: PML-N Friday submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly Secretariat seeking debate on the Transparency International (TI) report that revealed increasing corruption in the country.
“The proceedings of the House may be adjourned to discuss the unprecedented increase of corruption as revealed by the TI report titled ‘Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2020,’’ says the motion. It said CPI 2020 for Pakistan had increased from 117 to 124 which meant seven points increase in corruption causing damage to integrity and perception of the country. The adjournment motion bears signatures of PML-N parliamentarians Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Romina Khursheed.
PIA: Action against culprits of dubious licence scam soon, NA panel told – Voice Of Vienna voiceofvienna.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from voiceofvienna.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FBR refuses to share secret info with NA body
Top Story
January 19, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The FBR’s refusal to furnish details about alleged tax evasion cases of individuals or specific companies before parliamentarians triggered a heated debate, however, the chairman Standing Committee on Finance of National Assembly has directed the FBR to share required details today (Tuesday).
The NA panel also took a strong exception of price increase by automotive manufacturers, while the representative of Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) blamed duty and taxes for 40 percent contribution into existing domestic prices of vehicles in Pakistan. They proposed reduction in duty and taxes, and incentivising hybrid vehicles instead of electric vehicles to decrease the prices in the domestic market. However, the parliamentarians were not satisfied when they inquired about the changes in tax structure that had fuelled the price of different brands of cars in the country. “We need